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Ammon News - As the Middle East continues to face challenges related to large-scale protracted displacement and the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese government has renewed its commitment to support refugees in Jordan with $ 4,925,925.

This contribution will allow UNHCR Jordan to further support the Jordanian government and assist refugees who have been adversely affected by the pandemic, according to a UNHCR statement.

Amid the pandemic, UNHCR Jordan has observed an increase in gender inequality and gender-based violence as well as risks faced by children, such as school drop-out and child labour. These compounded challenges are reversing years of progress achieved before the pandemic, the statement said.

In 2021, through the support of donors, UNHCR was able to combat some of these effects through offering refugees both face-to-face and remote counselling to facilitate access to key services.

The generous contribution from the Japanese government will enable UNHCR to provide protection services for refugees including the most vulnerable groups, such as children and gender-based violence survivors.

Funding will also go towards improving shelter and enhance community-based protection mechanisms.

“Increased vulnerability among refugee populations in Jordan necessitates a strong response. We welcome the support from the Japanese government, as we strive to offset the inequalities provoked by the pandemic,” said Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR’s representative in Jordan.

In addition, funding from Japan will support UNHCR to strengthen its community-based approach to protection.

Through a network of community centres located throughout the Kingdom, UNHCR seeks to actively engage refugees in decisions impacting their lives and strengthen links with Jordanian host communities.

In the current context of COVID-19, community centres have been key to providing refugees with information about a range of services including health, protection, non-food item distributions and livelihood opportunities.

UNHCR expressed gratitude for the support from the Japanese people and welcomed the continued partnership with the Japanese embassy, to assist most vulnerable refugees in Jordan.