Safadi meets with UNHCR commissioner

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi.

During the meeting, Safadi warned of the "remarkable decline" in international support for refugees in the region and for partner UN institutions providing services to refugees, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Safadi highlighted the need for mobilising joint action to provide a decent life for refugees and help host countries "shoulder the burden of asylum".

Safadi praised the solid partnership through which Jordan and the UNHCR work hand-in-hand to provide essential services to about 1.3 million Syrians residing in Jordan, only 10 per cent of which live in refugee camps.

The foreign minister also underlined the role of UNHCR in supporting refugees and keeping their cause on the international agenda.

The two sides agreed to intensify efforts to rally international support for refugees.

In turn, Grandi commended the Kingdom’s humanitarian role as a host country and for providing Syrian refugees with much needed health and education services.