Summary
Jordan is hosting 21 per cent of Syrian refugees in the region which is the third largest number of Syrian refugees. As of the 20 November 2014, the number of registered Syrian refugees in Jordan was estimated to be at 618,6151 . With a total population of six million people, the current Syrian refugee population constitutes almost an additional 10 per cent to this figure. Over the recent months, the refugee population has been decreasing as they (Syrian refugees) are going back to Syria. There is an average of 100 to 150 people returning to Syria per day.
Approximately 20 per cent of Syrian refugees reside in camps. The largest refugee camp is Za'atari with a population pf over 79,000 Syrians. The camp is managed by the Government of Jordan (GoJ)-appointed Syrian Refugee Camp Directorate (SRCD). In late March 2013, the GoJ approved the construction of another sizeable camp near Azraq. The estimated number of Syrian refugees registered in the Azraq camp, according to UNHCR, by the end of November is 10,921 people.
There have been no arrivals through the eastern border since 31 October. The situation in the eastern border is still not clear in terms of number of refugees that are stranded; humanitarian organizations have limited access to this area. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported having provided meals (through Jordanian Authorities) to 4,100 in no-man’s land in the beginning of November. The number of people receiving the meals in this area has since dropped to 2,500. The northern border has been apparently closed since 31 October. However in some days, less than 50 refugees have been allowed to cross the border - mainly woman, children and the elderly.
For the Syrian refugees, the greatest challenge they face is that of finding livelihood opportunities in order to have access to cash which is mainly used for rent purposes. The limited access to livelihood opportunities has provoked increased risky coping strategies such as sale of personal assets and increased indebtedness, decrease in food consumption, restricting children access to education and sending them to work, forced marriages among others. Such coping strategies are highly increasing the risk of health (physical, psychosocial, nutrition) and protection issues.
Increase in prices of rent, food and services add to the woes of Syrian refugees and make living conditions more acute. This has accelerated the impoverishment and vulnerability of the refugee households and intensified their dependency on assistance.
Until recently, the majority of Syrian registered refugees have been able to access public healthcare services free of charge, but on the 18 November 2014, the Cabinet of Ministries and the Ministry of Health declared that Syrian refugees have to pay the non-insured Jordanian rate when accessing the Jordanian public health system and its services. Although the rates to be paid by the Syrian refugees are subsidized, and it is normally affordable for Jordanians who don’t have government health insurance, the expectation is that this will cause and extra burden to the hardship conditions of the vulnerable Syrian households living in host communities. Some of the rates that are applicable since 18 November are; 140 JoD for Cesarean section, 40-60 JoD for normal delivery, 60 JoD for one session of hemodialysis, 25 JoD for minor operations with partial or general anesthesia and, 1.65 JoD for emergency consultation.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been distributing food vouchers to 450,000 Syrian refugee households (24 JoD per person per month). WFP is now cutting down their support due to major funding problems. The refugees living in host communities in Jordan will receive no more assistance from WFP. However, refugees in camps will continue receiving support. With the bitter winter months upon us, the timing of the most devastating aid cutback to date couldn’t be worse. As temperatures drop, living expenses — warm clothing, gas for heating units — rise. Many refugees cannot afford to buy heaters, blankets or winter clothes. Living in a tent, without a heater or adequate blankets when, outside temperatures can go below zero degrees increases the risk and threatens family health especially of the elderly, disabled and children.
Jordan has witnessed a sharp increase in Iraqi refugees in recent months due to the ongoing crisis in Iraq. In August and September 2014, an average of 120 Iraqis per day have registered with UNHCR in Jordan, up from 65 per day in June and July and just 30 per day in the first five months of 2014. Almost two thirds of new arrivals (60 per cent) hail from Ninevah, Salah Al Din and Anbar governorates. So far this year, 10,644 Iraqi refugees have registered with UNHCR in Jordan, with 1,383 registering in August alone – the highest monthly tally of new registrations since 20072 .
The IFRC Cash Transfer Programme (CTP) has been providing unconditional cash transfers to Syrian refugees since August 2012 where 3,000 households (15,000 people) were provided with cash and winterization support. The final payments are scheduled in December as no more funds are available to support these households. The current Emergency Appeal is targeting 4,000 households with cash and winterization support until December 2015.
The Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) programme came to an end on 15 November 2014 where over 10,000 people were reached through awareness sessions and trainings. The CBHFA team is currently wrapping up with a final report based on findings from community evaluations, end-line assessments and project wrap up workshops. This programme was really appreciated at community level as the population became more aware about their psychological and physical health. Initial findings indicate that the community would like to receive more information on health issues so as to improve their well-being health-wise at household level.
The RCRC Hospital in Azraq is in full operation. The Hospital expanded its services from X-Ray and Laboratory services to Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in October and thereon by the end of the month to full service of a referral hospital. So far, a total of 644 patients have been registered. Support is needed for 2015 to enable the hospital continue providing the much needed services to the population in Azraq camp.
The harsh winter, the decrease in the support of the Syrian refugees in terms of health, food vouchers and unconditional cash will have an enormous impact on the living conditions of the refugees in Jordan in terms of their health situation, access to basic living conditions as well as protection. Support is needed for this population before the situation gets worse.