SYRIAN refugees in Jordan continue to face immense and increasing challenges leading to grave concerns about their vulnerability and protection, says a new study from CARE International.
The report, Five Years into Exile, points to reduced levels of assistance and access to services, lack of sustainable livelihoods, and complicated registration procedures as factors contributing to deepening hardship for around 630,000 registered refugees in Jordan.
“We are seeing growing evidence that after five years of conflict, an increasing number of Syrian refugees have exhausted their means of subsistence,” said Salam Kanaan, CARE Country Director in Jordan.
“At least two-in-three families live in poverty. We fear that without scaling up international assistance, the spiral of deepening poverty will accelerate with lasting impact on both refugees and local communities.”
Five Years into Exile found:
• 2/3 of Syrian refugee families in Jordan live in poverty
• 6/10 families lack money to buy enough food
• 8/10 families are worried about housing, including the inability to pay rent
• 1/3 of school-aged children are still out of school, with boys more affected than girls
• 10 per cent of families rely on child labour as source of income
CARE is encouraging host nations to consider the mutual benefits that would result from opening up some work sectors to refugees and simplifying complicated procedures involved in refugee registration.
In Jordan, CARE is managing a protection program for urban refugees including the provision of vital information on how refugees can access further health, legal and social support. Information is also provided on how refugees can access emergency cash assistance so they can pay for basic living costs, including rent, medication and food. CARE also provides psychosocial assistance to women, men and children.
To donate to CARE’s Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal, visit www.care.org.au/appeals/syrian-refugee-crisis-appeal/, call 1800 DONATE (1800 020 046). A donation of $84 can provide hygiene kits for four women and $140 can feed a whole family for one month.
Image Source: MiddleEastEye.Net
Ryan Fritz
Ryan Fritz started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile hard news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly. In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector. He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities and currently works at Redkite, a childhood cancer charity.
