NUMBER OF RETURNS TO SYRIA DOUBLES
The number of refugees returning to Syria from Jordan more than doubled in August with 3,853 returns recorded compared to 1,934 at the end of July. The rise is partially attributed to the increasing difficulties of surviving in Jordan, most recently underlined by further World Food Programme (WFP) food cuts.
On 31 July WFP announced that 229,000 refugees classified as “highly vulnerable” would no longer receive food assistance from September to reflect international funding shortfalls in Jordan. Food assistance for another 211,000 refugees identified as “severely vulnerable” will cease at the end of November.
The World Food Programme cuts represent yet another “push” factor compelling increasingly larger numbers of Syrians to choose the dangerous strategy of returning to Syria, or for those with the resources – a life beyond the region.
Whilst returns continue to exceed arrivals, there was also an increase in Syrians accessing Jordanian territory. From 1 to 18 August the average new arrival figure was 39 individuals per day, with this figure increasing in the second half of the month to 54 following high-level advocacy efforts by the Office.