UNHCR assistant high commissioner praises Jordan’s hosting of refugees, says aid is ‘inadequate’

AMMAN — UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner Raouf Mazou on Monday expressed appreciation for the Kingdom's role in hosting the largest number of refugees of various nationalities. 

During a tour, including the Princess Basma Development Centre in Sahab, Mazou said that aid offered to the Kingdom is “inadequate”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Mazou also visited a Syrian and a Sudanese family to check on their conditions.

He discussed the possibility of allowing UNHCR to provide assistance to support economic development in Jordan, including the inclusion of refugees in the local labour market.

The official also toured a factory that offers jobs for 45 Syrian refugees from the Zaatari refugee camp, while the number could reach 250 throughout the upcoming months. 

Mazou urged the factories to utilise the benefits offered to facilities employing refugees, notably export-related advantages and tax exemptions.

The Princess Basma Development Centre offers development and social services for all nationalities in the Sahab region to improve local communities, the centre's director Mohammad Shamali said, adding that besides serving the children, the elderly and people with disabilities, the centre also offers employment services to Jordanian and refugee job seekers.

The centre is among 51 facilities spread across the Kingdom under the umbrella of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, he noted.