Refugees face skyrocketing rents, harsh
winter and over-burdened waste disposal system which multiplies health risks
Amid health challenges that
Syrian refugees face on daily basis, they have been handed a rare glimmer of
hope after a $5 million donation from the Big Heart Campaign. The donation will
primarily go towards crucial medical interventions for 150,000 Syrians, and was
presented by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the
campaign’s patron and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children.
Adding to Syrians’ desperate situation
is the fact that Jordan’s population of only 6 million is already over-burdened
after accommodating influx after influx of refugees -- from Palestine , and
Iraq right up to today.
The refugee settlement of Zaatari is
now Jordan’s fourth-largest community. With one in 10 people in Jordan now a
Syrian refugee, and with the fact that conflict has now passed 30 torturous
months with no solution in the horizon. Some Jordanian cities like Mafraq have
doubled in population almost overnight following arrival of Syrians.
Presenting the $5 million donation, Her
Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi elaborated: “As refugee
settlements swell up with new arrivals daily, health risks also multiply,
putting increased pressure on the supply of clean water, nutritious food,
medication and qualified specialists.The Jordanian government estimates that it
needs no less than $1 billion per year to maintain refugees, That’s why
our contributions must multiply at a faster pace than the demand. We are
greatly indebted to our generous donors who have not lost their willpower even
though the conflict seems to be never-ending. I also want to thank the
Jordanian communities who have opened up their hearts to Syrians, because I
know there is enormous strain on Jordan’s delicate social and economic balance.
It was never the Syrians’ choice to be in Jordan for this long, but while they
are here we should help them lead as normal a life as possible.”
The fragile state of refugee
settlements, where over-burdened municipalities have led to streets swamped
with garbage, clogged sewers and erratic water supply - all of which in turn
amplifies health risks. The situation is even worse for hundreds of thousands
of unregistered Syrians living in Jordan, as they cannot access healthcare.
UNHCR Representative in Jordan,
Andrew Harper praised this donation saying: “We are extremely grateful to Her
Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for spearheading this generous
contribution. It will benefit 150,000 vulnerable Syrians, and refugee
families will receive essential medical services to improve the health of
the refugee population. Jordan’s health facilities are stretched to breaking
point, so the Big Heart Campaign’s generous support will greatly help UNHCR to
keep up with demand."
The US$ 5 million donation is part of a series of donations that will be
made by HH Sheikha Jawaher on behalf of the Big Heart Campaign, in order to
impact hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and
Syria itself.
Donors can make life-saving contributions
to the ‘Big Heart for Syrian Refugee Children’ campaign. Funds are collected
through ‘Salam Ya Seghar’, endorsed by HH Sheikha Jawaher.
SMS “Donate”:
Etisalat network: 2000
(AED10), 2002 (AED50), 2003 (AED100)
du network: 9965 (AED10), 9967 (AED50),
9968 (AED100)
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