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Ammon News - As the devastating socioeconomic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt across Jordan, the Government of Austria has renewed its support to refugee households amid the increasing challenges.

In 2020, UNHCR provided COVID-19 emergency cash assistance to over 54,000 newly identified vulnerable families who have been severely affected by the economic downturn of COVID-19, according to a statement from the UN agency.

With increased unemployment and limited work opportunities available, refugees in Jordan, the majority of whom make their living through daily work, have been severely impacted by the situation, while many have had to get loans from family and friends to cover their basic needs.

UNHCR’s assistance aims to alleviate some of the suffering and support the most vulnerable households.

This generous contribution of $1.8million from the Austrian government enables UNHCR to provide cash assistance to some 7,500 vulnerable refugee families, including over 1,800 non-Syrian families, whose needs and challenges have become even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Amid the increasing needs that COVID-19 has created for vulnerable refugee families, we welcome the support from the Austrian government, as we strive to alleviate some of the suffering and provide refugees with support so they can meet their most basic needs,” said UNHCR’s Representative to Jordan Dominik Bartsch in the statement.

“As a long-standing partner of UNHCR, the Austrian government is showing support to refugees and the host community in Jordan also in light of the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Austrian Ambassador to Jordan Oskar Wüstinger in the statement.

“In these even more difficult times, UNHCR’s efforts are more important than ever,” he added.

UNHCR is grateful for the support from the Austrian people and welcomes the renewed partnership and strengthened collaboration with the Austrian embassy, to continue providing assistance and protection to the most vulnerable refugees in Jordan, read the statement.