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British Ambassador meets Mafraq Governor
Visits UK-funded projects in Zaatari Refugee Camp
Press Release
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PRESS RELEASE — The British Ambassador Philip Hall called on the Governor of
Al-Mafraq Salman Najada and the Head of the Governorate Council, Saleh Al
Kashman, who explained the challenges faced in the governorate around security,
employment, infrastructure, and access to basic services. اضافة اعلان
Ambassador Hall then visited Zaatari Refugee Camp for discussions with the Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate and the Heads in Jordan of UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF. The Ambassador thanked the Government of Jordan and the international agencies for the extraordinary work they do to assist the refugees, and heard how essential services are provided, and about the need to provide opportunities for the residents of the Camp.
He visited a business in Al-Mafraq benefiting from the presence of skilled Syrian employees, and also heard from a family in the Camp who were not permitted to use their skills, and schoolchildren hoping that they would be allowed to work when they finished their studies. He visited Tazweed supermarket where residents of the Camp are able to buy food with cash assistance provided by the UK and other international donors.
He also learnt about the impact of the “WASH” program, a collaboration between the UK, UNICEF, and other donors to build sustainable water tank infrastructure to address the immediate needs of the Camp.
Ambassador Hall said: "The Government of Jordan did the right thing in welcoming Syrian refugees, and the Government and international organizations do an extraordinary job of providing services for the 20% or so of Syrian refugees who still live in Camps such as Zaatari. All credit goes to the Government and people of Al-Mafraq Governorate who have worked to accommodate so many new arrivals.
The UK has a deep and historical partnership with Jordan. We know that people everywhere – Jordanians, Syrians, others in the region and worldwide – need hope: a belief that they can improve their and their family’s situation. Jordan is a success story, and I meet successful, forward-looking and optimistic Jordanians every day. They have every reason to be positive: we are living through an economic downturn, and Jordan is managing it well, and as the business and investment cycle improves, the situation should improve. The UK is committed to working with the Government of Jordan to ensure Jordan’s continued success.
In Al-Mafraq I also saw the forward-looking optimistic spirit of a business employing the skills of some of the Syrian refugees. But I also met well qualified refugees who are not permitted to seek the work for which they are qualified, and schools where many boys leave school early to become agricultural laborers, because there is no prospect of them finding skilled employment if they study.
The amount of work an economy can generate is not fixed. In general, the more people who work, the more value is added, and the more work is created. Jordan currently has high unemployment, but at the same time employs many migrant workers, and perhaps risks offering too little hope to many of the people who live here. These are choices for Jordan to make, but the lack of opportunity for some of those I met in Al-Mafraq needs to be cause for concern.
In Al-Mafraq I saw the extraordinary generosity of spirit of Jordan, and the resilience of Syrian refugees. As many Jordanians said to me, the Syrian refugees are family too. Jordan and Zaatari Camp are both success stories. There is every reason to believe that, looking forward, both will be success stories too.”
Disclaimer:
This press release is not produced by Jordan News. We do not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the body of the text.
Read more National news
Jordan News
Ambassador Hall then visited Zaatari Refugee Camp for discussions with the Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate and the Heads in Jordan of UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF. The Ambassador thanked the Government of Jordan and the international agencies for the extraordinary work they do to assist the refugees, and heard how essential services are provided, and about the need to provide opportunities for the residents of the Camp.
He visited a business in Al-Mafraq benefiting from the presence of skilled Syrian employees, and also heard from a family in the Camp who were not permitted to use their skills, and schoolchildren hoping that they would be allowed to work when they finished their studies. He visited Tazweed supermarket where residents of the Camp are able to buy food with cash assistance provided by the UK and other international donors.
He also learnt about the impact of the “WASH” program, a collaboration between the UK, UNICEF, and other donors to build sustainable water tank infrastructure to address the immediate needs of the Camp.
Ambassador Hall said: "The Government of Jordan did the right thing in welcoming Syrian refugees, and the Government and international organizations do an extraordinary job of providing services for the 20% or so of Syrian refugees who still live in Camps such as Zaatari. All credit goes to the Government and people of Al-Mafraq Governorate who have worked to accommodate so many new arrivals.
The UK has a deep and historical partnership with Jordan. We know that people everywhere – Jordanians, Syrians, others in the region and worldwide – need hope: a belief that they can improve their and their family’s situation. Jordan is a success story, and I meet successful, forward-looking and optimistic Jordanians every day. They have every reason to be positive: we are living through an economic downturn, and Jordan is managing it well, and as the business and investment cycle improves, the situation should improve. The UK is committed to working with the Government of Jordan to ensure Jordan’s continued success.
In Al-Mafraq I also saw the forward-looking optimistic spirit of a business employing the skills of some of the Syrian refugees. But I also met well qualified refugees who are not permitted to seek the work for which they are qualified, and schools where many boys leave school early to become agricultural laborers, because there is no prospect of them finding skilled employment if they study.
The amount of work an economy can generate is not fixed. In general, the more people who work, the more value is added, and the more work is created. Jordan currently has high unemployment, but at the same time employs many migrant workers, and perhaps risks offering too little hope to many of the people who live here. These are choices for Jordan to make, but the lack of opportunity for some of those I met in Al-Mafraq needs to be cause for concern.
In Al-Mafraq I saw the extraordinary generosity of spirit of Jordan, and the resilience of Syrian refugees. As many Jordanians said to me, the Syrian refugees are family too. Jordan and Zaatari Camp are both success stories. There is every reason to believe that, looking forward, both will be success stories too.”
Disclaimer:
This press release is not produced by Jordan News. We do not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the body of the text.
Read more National news
Jordan News