Interior minister visits Syrian refugee camps

ZARQA/MAFRAQ — Interior Minister Hussein Majali on Monday visited Syrian refugee camps across the Kingdom.

During a visit to the UAE-run Mreijeb Al Fhoud Refugee Camp in Zarqa, Majali said Jordan seeks to continue cooperating with the United Arab Emirates in dealing with the influx of Syrian refugees.

Hadi Al Kaabi, the relief team manager at the camp, said the 250-dunum facility is currently hosting 3,851 refugees, most of whom are women, children, people with disabilities and patients. 

The camp can host about 5,000 people, and contains handicraft and vocational training centres, clinics, a primary school and playgrounds, Kaabi added. 

Majali also visited the Azraq Refugee Camp and checked on preparations to open the facility. 

Established by the government and the UNHCR, the camp can host 55,000 refugees in its first phase, out of a total capacity of 130,000.

UNHCR representative Bernadette Castel noted that the camp area is about 15 square kilometres and will include various facilities. 

Majali also visited the 30-dunum Ribaa Al Sarhan facility, which is the first station that receives Syrian refugees, offering them food and medical treatment. It also includes a refugee registration office. 

During a visit to the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Mafraq, some 90km northeast of Amman, Majali was briefed on the latest development in the camp since its inauguration in July 2012 over an area of 19 dunums. 

Camp director Col. Zaher Abu Shihab said the facility currently hosts around 107,000 refugees, adding that it has two-shift schools with around 13,000 students, healthcare facilities and some 3,000 commercial outlets offering various services.

Abu Shihab added that the camp currently has 24,000 trailers, but more are needed to replace the tents.