Jordan

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Jordan

Working environment

The context

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has a tradition of hospitality towards asylum-seekers and refugees, but this favourable environment is under duress as the country confronts its own socio-economic challenges and growing number of refugees.

The number of Iraqis registered with UNHCR in Jordan remains stable at around 29,000. This number is evened out by the new arrivals, resettlement departures and the few repatriation cases.

Jordan has witnessed a significant increase in the number of Syrian refugees fleeing the unrest in their country. As of the end of September 2012, over 102,000 Syrian refugees are registered with UNHCR, and more are on the move as each day passes. Despite this, Jordan has kept its border open, allowing Syrians fleeing the violence to cross the international border. The Government estimates an even higher number of arrivals. The host community has generously helped this new wave of refugees with shelter, food, water, sanitation and other basic services. However, the resources of host communities are limited and may be exhausted in the coming months. Alternative means of aiding refugees are being sought. Several reception/transit facilities have been established, and a camp has been opened in Za'atri in the northern part of Jordan.

The needs

The needs for the protracted Iraqi situation and the new Syria emergency are greater than ever. UNHCR's focus will be on maintaining and strengthening the favourable protection environment. The Office will seek to ensure timely access to registration and refugee status determination (RSD) procedures; prevent and respond to violence; advocate for an end to the detention of asylum-seekers and refugees; and meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable. Finding durable solutions and working on community empowerment and self-reliance will also be addressed.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

Favourable protection environment

Law and policy are developed or strengthened.

• Some 30 workshops and seminars are held for lawmakers.

Access to the territory is improved and the risk of refoulement is reduced.

• The protection space for persons of concern is maintained through improved cooperation with the Government and civil society.

Access to legal assistance and legal remedies is improved.

• Legal assistance/services are provided to 4,000 people.

Administrative institutions and practices are developed or strengthened.

• Technical advice and support is provided to government partners.

Fair protection processes and documentation

Access to the RSD system and the quality of decision-making are improved.

• All persons of concern are interviewed in a timely manner.

The quality of registration and profiling is improved and maintained.

• All persons of concern are registered in a timely manner.

• Enough staffing is available for an efficient registration team.

Security from violence and exploitation

The protection of children is strengthened.

• Special arrangements for the protection and care of unaccompanied and separated children are established and maintained.

• Some 70 Syrian refugee children with mental/physical disabilities are assisted.

The risk of SGBV is reduced and the quality of the response to it is improved.

• Adequate referral mechanisms are established and maintained.

• Some 540 SGBV victims receive counselling.

• Safe houses give refuge to 30 SGBV victims.

Risks related to detention are reduced and freedom of movement is increased.

• Interventions for the release from detention of all individuals of concern to UNHCR are carried out.

Basic needs and essential services

Services for groups with specific needs are strengthened.

• About 5,000 Iraqi and 3,000 Syrian families receive monthly financial assistance.

• Some 1,500 people benefit from social counselling.

• Some 480 elderly people receive special support.

• Some 650 persons with disabilities receive support.

The health of the population is improved.

• All persons of concern have access to primary health care services.

• Some 3,000 Iraqi and 3,000 Syrian refugees are referred to secondary and tertiary medical care.

• Sixteen government institutions/health facilities are supported.

The population of concern has optimal access to education.

• All refugee children are enrolled in primary education.

• Some 85 per cent of eligible refugee children are enrolled in secondary education.

Community empowerment and self-reliance

The self-reliance and livelihoods of people of concern are improved.

• Some 700 people participate in skills training activities.

Community mobilization is strengthened and expanded.

• Two participatory assessment exercises are conducted.

• Six community self-management structures are strengthened.

Durable solutions

The potential for voluntary return is realized.

• Some 1,000 people receive return assistance.

The potential for resettlement is realized.

• Some 1,000 cases are prepared and submitted for resettlement.

Strategy and activities in 2013

In Jordan, UNHCR will continue its close collaboration and coordination with the Government authorities involved in protecting and assisting refugees and asylum-seekers.

Partnerships with international NGOs who have the expertise and capacity to address the urgent needs in Jordan will be crucial to UNHCR's ability to uphold its mandate. National partners will continue with activities aimed at combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and assisting unaccompanied minors, separated children and children with disabilities. UNHCR will provide free legal aid and representation in courts, in addition to setting up safety nets in the health sector, where the emphasis will be on addressing the existing gaps in primary, secondary and emergency health care.

In terms of protection, UNHCR will help the Government to maintain favourable conditions for all refugees. UNHCR will continue to assist Syrian refugees both in camps and urban areas.

Registration and outreach capacity will be enhanced by the establishment of new registration sites and help desks, mainly in the northern governorates. UNHCR will be responsible for managing the Za'atri Camp and any additional campsites that may be selected by the Government to host Syrian refugees. The governorates that have the largest populations of Syrians will receive UNHCR's help to alleviate the burden on public services.

Finally, UNHCR will develop and expand its capacity-building and training activities to raise the understanding of the Office's main concerns among governmental and NGO counterparts.

Constraints

The unrest in the Syrian Arab Republic may continue to fuel the arrival of growing numbers of refugees in Jordan. These refugees will be registering with UNHCR throughout the Kingdom. Since mid-2012, growing numbers of Syrians have been crossing the border illegally, then moving directly to the Za'atri Camp. However, if the numbers of arrivals continue to grow, the capacity of the camp will soon be exhausted and new camp locations may need to be considered.

The impact of Syrian refugees on local communities has been considerable, particularly as the majority are in the northern border area, which is among the poorest regions in the country. UNHCR will seek to maintain the mainly urban character of the refugee population (Syrians as well as Iraqis and other nationalities) by providing cash assistance that will allow individuals and families to meet their daily needs in cities.

The Government of Jordan is expected to continue to allow Syrians free access to the public health and education systems, which will require substantial international support.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR works closely with many ministries, international and national NGOs and UN agencies. Where possible, it seeks to incorporate services for refugees into national development plans through the UN Development Assistance Framework and other UN coordination mechanisms. UNHCR is the lead agency for the Syria Emergency Response, which includes a number of inter-agency task force structures and sectoral working groups.

Financial information

The UNHCR operation in Jordan focusing on Iraqi refugees and asylum-seekers has been consolidated over the past few years in view of budgetary constraints, although a stable number of Iraqi refugees remain in the country.

However, the Syrian crisis has compelled UNHCR to expand its activities. The opening of the Za'atri camp for Syrians coincided with the establishment of new partnerships with both implementing and operational partners to ensure timely delivery of services.

The 2013 budget for Jordan calls for USD 75.4 million and will be further revised in order to cover additional needs related to the Syria crisis which could not be assessed at the time this budget was approved.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

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