King visits Azmi Mufti Refugee Camp, says Jordan working to secure support for UNRWA

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday reiterated that Jordan exerts extensive efforts to secure support for UNRWA by coordinating with various international partners, and holding international meetings and conferences, according to a Royal Court statement.

At a meeting with representatives from Azmi Mufti Refugee Camp in Irbid to listen to their concerns, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah said that despite UNRWA’s financial challenges, Jordan has maintained all possible services to refugee camps, and is working with the international community to increase support for the UN agency.

His Majesty highlighted his directives to provide support to refugee camps in Jordan through Royal initiatives, and in cooperation with the government, noting that the camp’s priorities will be followed up on with the relevant authorities and UNRWA.

Turning to the Palestinian cause, the King reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering position, citing ongoing Jordanian-Palestinian coordination on defending the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

His Majesty also stressed that Jordan will continue to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

Discussing national modernisation efforts, the King said the government is working according to the priorities of implementing the political, economic and administrative modernisation tracks, stressing keenness on moving forward with implementation and following up.

For their part, the camp representatives thanked His Majesty for his efforts to highlight the Palestinian cause at the international stage, expressing appreciation for his keenness to reach out to the public and hear their concerns.

The speakers also highlighted a number of issues at the camp and called for addressing them, stressing the need to support young people and women to enable them to start their own projects.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said the government is looking into the possibility of establishing a new municipality that would include the camp and address its needs and services.

He highlighted a project planned for next year to revamp the water network at a cost of JD7 million and install power-saving lighting units at the camp, adding that a team from the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation will be dispatched to the camp to examine means to support small and home-based projects.

Also speaking at the meeting, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi said Royal initiative projects implemented at refugee camps since 2006 are valued at JD23 million, including JD1.7 million at Azmi Mufti Refugee Camp.

Issawi said Royal initiatives will continue at the camps, with a focus on supporting self-employment and productive projects to empower youth and women.

Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, Adviser to His Majesty for Tribal Affairs Atef Hajaya, Interior Minister Mazen Farraya, Irbid Governor Radwan Otoum and Department of Palestinian Affairs Director Rafiq Khirfan attended the meeting.