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Syria's escalating refugee crisis means that Jordan is crying out for help Syria's escalating refugee crisis means that Jordan is crying out for help
(5 months later)
Jordan is desperate. In January, $1.5bn was pledged to provide aid for Syrian refugees at the UN summit in Kuwait. Three months later, only a fraction has been delivered and there is no definite plan in place for funding from the end of June. As the situation inside the Za'ateri refugee camp deteriorates, pressure from outside the camp, both from within Jordan and abroad, is escalating dangerously.Jordan is desperate. In January, $1.5bn was pledged to provide aid for Syrian refugees at the UN summit in Kuwait. Three months later, only a fraction has been delivered and there is no definite plan in place for funding from the end of June. As the situation inside the Za'ateri refugee camp deteriorates, pressure from outside the camp, both from within Jordan and abroad, is escalating dangerously.
Only last month, the UN warned that unless funding for Syrian refugees "comes rapidly, urgently needed support could be denied to refugees in dire need".  Many of the organisations currently providing aid in the camp may have to withdraw. It is expected that the number of Syrian refugees in Jordan will rise to 1.2 million by the end of the year. This amounts to almost a fifth of Jordan's population. No country would find it easy to cope with this sudden influx of people, least of all one that is as economically and politically vulnerable as Jordan. The country is in desperate need of more aid and priority needs to be given to the women and children who make up most of the camp's population.Only last month, the UN warned that unless funding for Syrian refugees "comes rapidly, urgently needed support could be denied to refugees in dire need".  Many of the organisations currently providing aid in the camp may have to withdraw. It is expected that the number of Syrian refugees in Jordan will rise to 1.2 million by the end of the year. This amounts to almost a fifth of Jordan's population. No country would find it easy to cope with this sudden influx of people, least of all one that is as economically and politically vulnerable as Jordan. The country is in desperate need of more aid and priority needs to be given to the women and children who make up most of the camp's population.
Prostitution is not uncommon in refugee camps across the world. Just as we hear William Hague's admirable pledge to combat sexual violence in conflict zones, we also hear of prostitution, sexual abuse and exploitation rising in Jordan's largest refugee camp, now home to more than 200,000 Syrians. And the deficient security system in the camp cannot cope. Many of the atrocities that occur are overlooked because the priority is to contain the crime within the camp, rather than let it spill out into the increasingly vulnerable host country.Prostitution is not uncommon in refugee camps across the world. Just as we hear William Hague's admirable pledge to combat sexual violence in conflict zones, we also hear of prostitution, sexual abuse and exploitation rising in Jordan's largest refugee camp, now home to more than 200,000 Syrians. And the deficient security system in the camp cannot cope. Many of the atrocities that occur are overlooked because the priority is to contain the crime within the camp, rather than let it spill out into the increasingly vulnerable host country.
Officially, you need permission from the government to pass through the main entrance of Za'ateri, but there is no fence surrounding the camp and nothing to stop men from all over the region entering by other routes and taking single women away to be forcibly married.Officially, you need permission from the government to pass through the main entrance of Za'ateri, but there is no fence surrounding the camp and nothing to stop men from all over the region entering by other routes and taking single women away to be forcibly married.
Za'ateri was described to me as a "ghetto" by someone who has been there. The violence and riots in the camp are predominantly caused by understandably angry and frustrated young men. This poses a huge risk for the single women and children. Recently opened by the UAE, Mrajeeb al-Fhood is a camp in Zarqa that does not accept single men. While this helps to reduce violence in the camp, it does not offer a solution to the problem of where to place the single men flooding over the border. A plan to open another camp, purely for single men – some of whom are defectors from the regime, many from potentially rival groups in the opposition – will only aggravate the mounting tension. Such a proposal has recently failed.Za'ateri was described to me as a "ghetto" by someone who has been there. The violence and riots in the camp are predominantly caused by understandably angry and frustrated young men. This poses a huge risk for the single women and children. Recently opened by the UAE, Mrajeeb al-Fhood is a camp in Zarqa that does not accept single men. While this helps to reduce violence in the camp, it does not offer a solution to the problem of where to place the single men flooding over the border. A plan to open another camp, purely for single men – some of whom are defectors from the regime, many from potentially rival groups in the opposition – will only aggravate the mounting tension. Such a proposal has recently failed.
Currently, there is no adequately functioning security system in place in Za'ateri. Authorities are under pressure to contain crime within the camp, to keep it isolated from the rest of the country after increasing resentment from Jordanians over the strain on their resources. The country is exhausted, both mentally and economically. It is already heavily dependent on aid but seeing little of it as much of it is channelled to refugees (including thousands of pre-2011 displaced Palestinians and Iraqis).Currently, there is no adequately functioning security system in place in Za'ateri. Authorities are under pressure to contain crime within the camp, to keep it isolated from the rest of the country after increasing resentment from Jordanians over the strain on their resources. The country is exhausted, both mentally and economically. It is already heavily dependent on aid but seeing little of it as much of it is channelled to refugees (including thousands of pre-2011 displaced Palestinians and Iraqis).
The isolation felt by the camp means that integration into Jordanian society is exceptionally difficult. In order to leave the camp legitimately, a Jordanian sponsor is required, which the authorities might choose not to approve. If the refugees are able to leave the camp and integrate into an urban setting, it is very likely that they will be exploited in work. More than 160,000 Syrians hold jobs in Jordan, though many do not have permits. When they take on work, they accept sometimes half the pay a Jordanian would require and agree to much longer hours. Rent in the northern cities has doubled. In response, there is growing bitterness among Jordanians that Syrians are taking their jobs, pushing up house prices and using their already depleted resources.The isolation felt by the camp means that integration into Jordanian society is exceptionally difficult. In order to leave the camp legitimately, a Jordanian sponsor is required, which the authorities might choose not to approve. If the refugees are able to leave the camp and integrate into an urban setting, it is very likely that they will be exploited in work. More than 160,000 Syrians hold jobs in Jordan, though many do not have permits. When they take on work, they accept sometimes half the pay a Jordanian would require and agree to much longer hours. Rent in the northern cities has doubled. In response, there is growing bitterness among Jordanians that Syrians are taking their jobs, pushing up house prices and using their already depleted resources.
But Jordan is left with few options but to sit and hope for more money.  The country is under increasing pressure from Saudi Arabia and countries from the Gulf to channel arms to support rebel groups in Syria. It has little say over the US deploying 200 troops to the north of the country or over whether the borders remain open, which is seen, in Damascus, as openly provocative. Assad's regime understands this as indicating Jordan's support for the opposition and is keen to make Jordan aware of the politically fragile position it is in. This month, Assad announced: "The fire will not stop at our borders; all the world knows Jordan is just as exposed as Syria."But Jordan is left with few options but to sit and hope for more money.  The country is under increasing pressure from Saudi Arabia and countries from the Gulf to channel arms to support rebel groups in Syria. It has little say over the US deploying 200 troops to the north of the country or over whether the borders remain open, which is seen, in Damascus, as openly provocative. Assad's regime understands this as indicating Jordan's support for the opposition and is keen to make Jordan aware of the politically fragile position it is in. This month, Assad announced: "The fire will not stop at our borders; all the world knows Jordan is just as exposed as Syria."
There may be disagreement about the possible supply of arms to the Syrian opposition but there should be no disagreement about the urgency of Jordan's need for assistance on fulfilling its humanitarian burdens.There may be disagreement about the possible supply of arms to the Syrian opposition but there should be no disagreement about the urgency of Jordan's need for assistance on fulfilling its humanitarian burdens.
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