UNHCR receives $1m donation from S. Korean gov’t to support Syrian refugees in Jordan

AMMAN — As the conflict in Syria marks its 10th year, the Republic of Korea has stepped forward to support refugees in Jordan. 

Through a $1 million contribution, signed  Wednesday by South Korea’s Ambassador  to Jordan 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, a UNHCR statement said.   

Through this 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, the statement said. 

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 healthcare costs, said the statement. 

This new funding will therefore help UNHCR to sustain its cash assistance programme 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,” said UNHCR’s Representative Dominik Bartsch in the statement.  

“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 pandemic,” said the South Korean ambassador.  

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, read the statement.