UK to continue supporting Jordan amidst refugee influx — Millett

MAFRAQ — Jordanians and Syrians in the northern region say they are benefiting from a series of projects carried out by Mercy Corps that aim at easing the pressure placed by the refugee influx on host communities.

"The projects implemented in our village have helped immeasurably in alleviating the burdens resulting from hosting more than 10,000 Syrian refugees," said Nidal Khaldi, a community leader from Zaatari village in Mafraq, some 80 km northeast of Amman.

During a tour of these projects last week, Khaldi told The Jordan Times that the population in his village, which is just 500 metres away from the Zaatari Refugee Camp, has almost doubled from 15,000 to 25,000 due to the Syrian refugee influx. 

"Most of the Syrian youths in our village are jobless, which means social problems with their Jordanian peers," Khaldi noted, adding that a playground established by Mercy Corps has helped immensely as the two sides now have a place to socialise.

The projects fall within the British embassy-funded Leadership and Community Development Project (LCDP) implemented by Mercy Corps and include a public park and classroom extension. 

In addition, 120 solid waste containers and 250 street lights were distributed to municipalities, Khaldi said, adding that community leaders are now working with Mercy Corps to install underground rainwater tanks in schools and mosques.

"There are more than 20 random refugee camps in Zaatari village that have no infrastructure whatsoever," he said, noting that "the problem with most international relief agencies is that they direct their assistance to refugee camps that host only 20 per cent of the Syrian refugees while the remaining 80 per cent of them reside outside."

Lina Zu'bi, headmistress of Safiyah Bint Abdulmuttaleb Secondary School for Girls in the village, also commended Mercy Corps for implementing a kindergarten project in the school.

"The number of students has doubled from 200 to 400 after the Syrian refugee influx, causing unbearable pressure on the classrooms," Zu'bi told The Jordan Times.

Following last week's field visit to several LCDP projects, British Ambassador Peter Millett highlighted the impact of such initiatives in alleviating the burdens of host communities.

"It is amazing to see ideas put forward by Mercy Corps in cooperation with community leaders turning into concrete projects. It is beyond words to see people enjoying tangible results," Millett told The Jordan Times.

He added that the projects in Mafraq, Irbid and Ramtha are part of a series of initiatives worth £3 million to be implemented within three years.

"We are committed to that project," Millett said, citing its focus on bringing Jordanians and Syrians together through sports, debate clubs and other activities.

"We are helping provide places where Jordanians and Syrians can get together and engage in social activities."

The diplomat added that the British government responds to all priorities identified by Mercy Corps in collaboration with local communities.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Jordan since 2003, with its projects covering various sectors including water, energy and social welfare, according to LCDP Manager Zaid Hatokay,

"With the outbreak of the Syrian crisis... Mercy Corps has shifted its focus to the northern region," he said.

Noting that the LCDP "is a project from the community to the community", Hatokay added that "community leaders are given the chance to prioritise their regions' needs and our mission is to have these demands achieved on the ground."

Highlighting that Jordan's humanitarian assistance to Syrian refugees is internationally acknowledged and appreciated, Millet voiced his country's commitment to help alleviate its accompanying burdens. 

"Jordan has set a highly appreciated model of generosity and hospitality in its humanitarian response to the Syrian refugee crisis."

"We see Jordanian families and communities open their door to Syrians and as the Syrian crisis continues and the Syrian communities remain in Jordan, we are committed to help in this regard."