UNHCR receives $1 million donation from Korean government to support Syrian refugees in Jordan

24 Mar 2021

As the conflict in Syria marks its tenth year, the Republic of Korea has stepped forward to support refugees in Jordan. Through a $1 million contribution, signed today by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Jordan, H.E. Lee Jae-Wan, and UNHCR’s Representative, Dominik Bartsch, Korea’s support will be critical to address what is now a protracted displacement situation in the region.  

Through this generous contribution, UNHCR will be able to help even more vulnerable Syrian refugee families in Jordan, whose needs and challenges have become even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of UNHCR’s key protection mechanisms for refugees in Jordan is cash assistance, which allows refugees to meet their basic needs in a dignified manner, pay their rent, food and health care costs. This new funding will therefore help UNHCR to sustain its cash assistance program over the coming months as well as contribute to its wider protection response. 

“Flexible funding, such as the contribution from the government of Korea, is critical especially during the challenging times refugees are going through, as the Syrian crisis has entered its 11th year. It also enables UNHCR to adapt its response as needed,” notes UNHCR’s Representative Dominik Bartsch. 

“The Korean Government’s contribution comes as part of the Republic of Korea’s plan to assist the Jordan Response Plan for the Syrian crisis. We hope this contribution could support unprecedented humanitarian crisis for Syrian Refugees in Jordan caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic.” said H.E. Lee Jae-Wan, the Korean ambassador to Jordan. 

UNHCR is grateful for the support from the Korean people and is looking forward to continued and strengthened collaboration with the Korean embassy, to provide assistance and protection for the most vulnerable refugees in Jordan.