ATF suggests fund to help refugee host communities

AMMAN — Arab Thought Forum (ATF) Secretary General Mohammad Abu Hammour on Monday called on the Arab summit to take measures to establish a fund focusing on refugee issues, to be financed by governments and sovereign funds of Arab countries, an ATF statement said.

Abu Hammour said the first task for the fund should be to focus on the issue of refugees, noting that the Arab summit is being held at a sensitive time in history, where several Arab countries are witnessing critical circumstances fuelled by armed clashes and economic crises.

The suggested fund could work on different levels, including the coordination of direct relief efforts for refugees, support to host communities and assistance in establishing and sustaining infrastructure projects, in addition to providing jobs opportunities in different fields.

The fund would be one of the main requirements for a "development renaissance" in the Arab world, to recover security and peace and overcome clashes and challenges, especially among people from the same society, the secretary general said.

Jordan can play a pivotal role in defining stances on crucial issues and bridging the gap between Arab countries, he said. 

In this regard, Abu Hammour noted that Jordan's ability to list the issue of refugees on the agenda of the Arab League's Economic and Social Council preparatory meeting was an acknowledgement of the importance of the issue and its repercussions for host countries like Jordan and Lebanon. 

Jordan is one of the largest host countries in the world, with 18 per cent of the total population being refugees, the statement said, adding that the Kingdom provides them with health, education and numerous other services, despite its limited capabilities and resources. 

Investments play a key role in boosting economic cooperation between Arabs, improving trade, generating jobs, reducing unemployment and combating poverty, the statement said. 

An increase of inter-Arab investment, which currently barely amounts to 20 per cent, would require the concerned countries to improve their legislation and economic environment, the statement added.