This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/jul/25/jordan-refugees-syria-jim-yong-kim

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jordan must not shoulder burden of Syrian refugees alone Jordan must not shoulder burden of Syrian refugees alone
(2 months later)
By the end of this year, there will be one Syrian in Jordan for every six Jordanians. This stark figure is just one example of the impact the civil war in Syria is having on neighbouring countries, where an estimated 1.7 million Syrians have fled, with more seeking safety every day. It is a figure that should spur the international community into action.By the end of this year, there will be one Syrian in Jordan for every six Jordanians. This stark figure is just one example of the impact the civil war in Syria is having on neighbouring countries, where an estimated 1.7 million Syrians have fled, with more seeking safety every day. It is a figure that should spur the international community into action.
The World Bank has approved $150m to help Jordan address the rising pressure on communities along its border with Syria and in the capital, Amman. A large share of Syrian refugees in Jordan are not in camps and have fled into urban areas, beyond the reach of direct UN and other donor assistance. Roughly 70% of these refugees are estimated to be hosted in local communities, resulting in enormous strain on public resources.The World Bank has approved $150m to help Jordan address the rising pressure on communities along its border with Syria and in the capital, Amman. A large share of Syrian refugees in Jordan are not in camps and have fled into urban areas, beyond the reach of direct UN and other donor assistance. Roughly 70% of these refugees are estimated to be hosted in local communities, resulting in enormous strain on public resources.
In Mafraq, north-east of Amman, the population has grown from 90,000 to 200,000 in months, stretching public services to the limit. Despite the sharp increase in waste, the town is still using the same six compactors to process rubbish; school class sizes have nearly doubled and double-shifting has become commonplace in the north, where schools open at dawn and close after dark. The mayor and governor fear the summer heat may burn through already scarce water resources, pushing health and sanitation services to the brink.In Mafraq, north-east of Amman, the population has grown from 90,000 to 200,000 in months, stretching public services to the limit. Despite the sharp increase in waste, the town is still using the same six compactors to process rubbish; school class sizes have nearly doubled and double-shifting has become commonplace in the north, where schools open at dawn and close after dark. The mayor and governor fear the summer heat may burn through already scarce water resources, pushing health and sanitation services to the brink.
Beyond public resources, Jordanians are also feeling the pinch in the markets. Food is more expensive, rents have tripled in some cases, and competition for jobs has driven wages down. It is easy to see how these factors could stir tension between Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees.Beyond public resources, Jordanians are also feeling the pinch in the markets. Food is more expensive, rents have tripled in some cases, and competition for jobs has driven wages down. It is easy to see how these factors could stir tension between Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees.
When I met Jordan's King Abdullah recently, we talked about what the World Bank could do to help. The king emphasised Jordan's commitment to keeping its borders open, and to helping Syrian refugees, noting that the government has included them in the services it delivers to its own citizens. It was clear to me that the international community must play a role to ensure that Jordan does not shoulder this burden alone. The same needs to apply in Lebanon and Turkey, which are also facing a crush of refugees from Syria.When I met Jordan's King Abdullah recently, we talked about what the World Bank could do to help. The king emphasised Jordan's commitment to keeping its borders open, and to helping Syrian refugees, noting that the government has included them in the services it delivers to its own citizens. It was clear to me that the international community must play a role to ensure that Jordan does not shoulder this burden alone. The same needs to apply in Lebanon and Turkey, which are also facing a crush of refugees from Syria.
Following the meeting with King Abdullah, World Bank staff worked with the Jordanian authorities to pinpoint where public services were most stressed. The health sector emerged as an area in need of immediate support. Since January of last year, the number of Syrian refugees seeking primary healthcare has risen from around 60 to 16,000. Hospital intakes have soared from 300 to more than 10,000. And communicable diseases such as TB, polio and measles – previously eliminated in Jordan – have begun making a comeback. Medicine and vaccines have declined to dangerously low levels.Following the meeting with King Abdullah, World Bank staff worked with the Jordanian authorities to pinpoint where public services were most stressed. The health sector emerged as an area in need of immediate support. Since January of last year, the number of Syrian refugees seeking primary healthcare has risen from around 60 to 16,000. Hospital intakes have soared from 300 to more than 10,000. And communicable diseases such as TB, polio and measles – previously eliminated in Jordan – have begun making a comeback. Medicine and vaccines have declined to dangerously low levels.
As the carnage in Syria rages and global leaders urge resolution, there are vital areas outside the political realm where the international community can act quickly and have an impact.As the carnage in Syria rages and global leaders urge resolution, there are vital areas outside the political realm where the international community can act quickly and have an impact.
First, there must be continued – and greater – support for the UN's work for Syrian refugees in camps in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Strong support should also go to the Lebanese government and international partners for harbouring and assisting refugees. It is absolutely crucial that these efforts continue, and that donors maintain support for life-saving operations.First, there must be continued – and greater – support for the UN's work for Syrian refugees in camps in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. Strong support should also go to the Lebanese government and international partners for harbouring and assisting refugees. It is absolutely crucial that these efforts continue, and that donors maintain support for life-saving operations.
Second, it is critical that we assist the neighbours who are helping the victims of Syria's war. Let us ensure that conflict finds no further foothold than it already has. Our support to Jordan will shore up its health budget and provide basic foods and commodities for the country's poorest communities. But pressure on services to citizens and refugees will continue to grow, and education, water, sanitation and waste disposal will all need urgent attention soon, calling on donor support.Second, it is critical that we assist the neighbours who are helping the victims of Syria's war. Let us ensure that conflict finds no further foothold than it already has. Our support to Jordan will shore up its health budget and provide basic foods and commodities for the country's poorest communities. But pressure on services to citizens and refugees will continue to grow, and education, water, sanitation and waste disposal will all need urgent attention soon, calling on donor support.
Finally, we need to work even more closely with local authorities in Jordan's border towns to help them put in place a more resilient capacity to deliver basic public services. We are also working closer than ever with the UN to strike the right balance between providing immediate humanitarian assistance and the healing, mending and rebuilding that countries need to recover from conflict over the longer term.Finally, we need to work even more closely with local authorities in Jordan's border towns to help them put in place a more resilient capacity to deliver basic public services. We are also working closer than ever with the UN to strike the right balance between providing immediate humanitarian assistance and the healing, mending and rebuilding that countries need to recover from conflict over the longer term.
The imperative for change that has swept the Arab world has given birth to great hope but also inflamed divisions old and new. While global leaders urge all sides to end violence and find peaceful ways ahead, the international community must be quick to act where we can with timely and targeted support, as in Jordan, so that people can feel safe and hold on to their aspirations for the future.The imperative for change that has swept the Arab world has given birth to great hope but also inflamed divisions old and new. While global leaders urge all sides to end violence and find peaceful ways ahead, the international community must be quick to act where we can with timely and targeted support, as in Jordan, so that people can feel safe and hold on to their aspirations for the future.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.