(MENAFN- Jordan Times) The US will maintain its support for Jordan in facing the escalating humanitarian situation on the northern border as thousands of Syrians continue to flee the ongoing violence in their country, a US State Department official said on Saturday.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and support Jordan's initiatives" to address the challenges facing it as result of the Syrian crisis, acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Beth Jones said at a media roundtable.
Some 180,000 displaced Syrians have sought refuge in the Kingdom, and the pace of the influx is rising: Some 10,000 entered the country over the course of just three days last week.
Jones said the international community would not leave the Kingdom to face this challenge on its own, noting that the US had provided Jordan with $100 million in direct assistance, on top of its "robust" regular bilateral assistance programme, to help meet the costs of caring for refugees.
In addition, the United States is providing nearly $82 million in humanitarian assistance through the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other international partners to address the emergency needs of people affected by the crisis in Syria.
The US official said her country's support for Jordan is intended to help the government meet vital healthcare and education needs and to address its economic challenges, including the continuing effects of the global financial crisis, repeated shocks in the energy market, and the fiscal strain associated with providing subsidised services to those fleeing violence in Syria.
Jones noted that Jordan and the US have had long-term contingency plans in place for decades, which they bring together in emergencies to coordinate their efforts accordingly.
At the start of a several-day visit to the Kingdom on Friday, the US diplomat visited the Zaatari Refugee Camp, where she praised the Kingdom's efforts to assist displaced Syrians.
"While there is more work to be done," she said, "I can tell you that a lot has already been accomplished. Work is under way to meet shelter, water and energy demands. Equally important, work is under way to provide much needed assistance to the women and children who have suffered severely as a result of the conflict in Syria."
Also on Saturday, Jones met with Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh to discuss the situation in Syria as well as bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern.
She is also expected to meet with other senior officials before concluding her visit, according to US Ambassador in Jordan Stuart Jones.
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