Premier, UNHCR’s Guterres discuss Syrian refugee response

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres on Tuesday discussed the humanitarian repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Jordan. 

During the meeting, attended by Interior Minister Hussein Majali and Planning Minister Ibrahim Saif, the premier highlighted the burdens borne by the country as a result of hosting around 1.4 million Syrians, renewing a call on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in this regard, especially as Jordan suffers limited water and energy resources, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Lauding Jordan’s efforts in assisting Syrian refugees, Guterres was quoted as saying that the international community should pay more attention to the large burdens borne by Jordan, which he described as “a main pillar of regional security and stability”.

Also on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Guterres discussed the latest developments in Syria and their humanitarian repercussions on neighbouring countries, especially Jordan. 

They reiterated that the world should step up its support to empower Jordan to carry on with its humanitarian mission of hosting Syrians, of whom more than 600,000 are registered refugees. 

Judeh singled out water and energy as areas where Jordan needs support, thanking “sisterly states and international organisations” that have extended a helping hand over the past three years.       

Judeh and Guterres reviewed the outcome of a report that has been released by the UNHCR on the condition of Syrians in exile, which calls on donor countries to exert more efforts to assist these refugees. 

Judeh stressed Jordan’s commitment to continued coordination and cooperation with the UN agencies that are operating in the field and to facilitate their mission.