Minister of Interior Mazen Al-Faraya said Tuesday that Jordan is currently hosting 3.5 million refugees from 43 countries, including 1.4 million Syrians, fewer than 100,000 of whom reside in camps, while the rest live integrated within Jordanian cities and communities.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at the 10th Vienna Migration Conference, held this year in the Austrian capital, Al-Faraya noted that Jordan continues to provide refugees with quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, despite the immense pressure this places on infrastructure and limited resources — particularly water, with annual per capita availability not exceeding 61 cubic meters.
He pointed out that, given Jordan’s 378-kilometer border with Syria, the Kingdom exerts significant efforts in cooperation with the Syrian side to secure the borders and curb drug and weapons smuggling, revealing that around 8 million Captagon pills have been seized so far this year.
Regarding refugee returns, Al-Faraya said that voluntary repatriation remains limited due to the absence of a safe and encouraging environment, warning that continued instability in the region could trigger a new wave of migration beyond the capacity of host countries to manage.
He called on European countries to open legal migration channels for skilled Jordanian workers in sectors such as information technology and healthcare, and to increase funding for refugee support, noting that the 2025 Jordan Response Plan for the Syria Crisis is only 12% funded.
Al-Faraya stressed that achieving stability in Syria is the fundamental solution to reducing migration and ensuring regional peace.
Responding to a question about international cooperation on migration, he stated:
“The equation is clear: every person needs security, a job opportunity, and basic services. If they can’t find them at home, they will seek them elsewhere. What’s required is that we work together to ensure these essentials exist in their own countries.”
He underscored the importance of enhancing the European Union’s engagement in the region and continuing to support host countries, particularly in the sectors of health, water, and employment.
Al-Faraya concluded with a warning:
“Syria represents an opportunity — if it is lost, we will face a new wave of refugees.”
Speakers at the conference — including Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner — praised Jordan’s pivotal role in hosting refugees and maintaining stability in a turbulent region. Karner thanked Jordan for its hospitality during his visit in March, which included a tour of the Zaatari refugee camp, saying:
“You provide safety and security and are doing a tremendous job — for refugees and for our countries.”
The conference was attended by Jordan’s Ambassador to Austria, Mohammad Hindawi, and serves as an annual international platform bringing together ministers and senior officials from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa to discuss migration, asylum, and regional cooperation.
