(MENAFN- Jordan Times) Jordan is paying a high price for hosting Syrian refugees who sought protection and the international community should support the Kingdom in facing this challenge, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said on Thursday.
Guterres made his remarks during a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh following discussions on Syrian refugees in addition to other issues of mutual concern.
"The deteriorating situation in Syria has led to an influx into neighbouring countries, of which Jordan was the destination of the largest number," Judeh said, adding that the Kingdom will continue to provide a safe shelter to the Syrian refugees in need and will spare no effort or resource in this regard.
Underscoring the dire economic situation the country is going through, Judeh said the influx of over 120,000 Syrians into the Kingdom since the violence erupted in their country over 13 months ago has created a crisis.
"We are calling on the international community to assist in order to enable us to continue providing the Syrians in Jordan with shelter and services, mainly health and education," said the minister, adding that the country is looking forward to activating and increasing cooperation with the UNHCR to address the crisis at hand.
Judeh noted the government will establish a humanitarian centre in Mafraq Governorate, 80km northeast of Amman, to address the humanitarian repercussions of the Syrian crisis, adding that this centre will be utilised to respond to the humanitarian needs that result from the outflow of Syrians.
For his part, Guterres, who met with Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh later in the day, said he deeply appreciates Jordan's hospitality and generosity in opening its borders to the Syrian citizens who fled the violence in their country and sought safe refuge and protection in the Kingdom.
"I appeal to the international community to act immediately and assist the host countries of the Syrian refugees. Jordan is already having difficulties in terms of water resources and is paying a heavy price for its generosity and should be assisted in order to be able to face this challenge," Guterres said.
"The Syrian refugees are in need of food, healthcare and education. We are sincerely thankful to the Jordanian people who opened their houses and their hearts for the Syrian refugees," he added.
"However, the humanitarian solution is not the answer to the Syrian crisis; rather, it has to be solved politically so [the refugees] can go back to their country and have a decent life with dignity," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Judeh said there are fewer than 500 Palestinian refugees in Syria who have arrived to the Kingdom and are currently being hosted in Cyber City in Ramtha, adding that those came to the Kingdom through the border.
"The Palestinian refugee issue is being handled by the UNRWA. Our position on this issue is clear. We will not allow whomsoever to use the Syrian crisis as a reason to send the Palestinian refugees in Syria into the Kingdom," he said.
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