AMMAN — A recent survey conducted by the
UNHCR has shed light on the alarming levels of food poverty among refugees in
Jordan. The study, which included four Arab countries hosting Syrian refugees,
revealed that 39.8 percent of refugees in Jordan, excluding Palestinian
refugees, suffer from food poverty, defined as having less than JD16.71 per
month per person.
اضافة اعلان
The UNHCR survey further highlighted the
dire circumstances faced by the majority of Syrian refugee families across the
region. It found that 88 percent of these families in the four countries
surveyed struggle with incomes that are insufficient to meet their basic needs.
According to Al-Mamlaka TV, the situation
for the vast majority of Syrian refugees is described as "very
difficult."
Intention to return
The survey, titled "Syrian Refugees'
Perceptions and Intentions to Return to Syria," was conducted between
January and February 2023 in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. The findings
showed that only 1.1 percent of the Syrian refugees surveyed expressed an
intention to return to Syria within the next 12 months, compared to 1.7 percent
in 2022 and 2.4 percent in 2021.
Among the respondents, 71 percent of the
refugees reported facing daily life challenges in their host countries, while
88 percent stated that their income was insufficient to cover their basic needs
and those of their families.
Harsh reality
The study, which involved 2,984 refugees
and marked the eighth of its kind, revealed the harsh realities faced by the
majority of refugees.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and its
economic consequences have impacted the region, leading to high costs of
essential household items.
71 percent of the refugees reported facing daily life challenges in their host countries, while 88 percent stated that their income was insufficient to cover their basic needs and those of their families.
According to the respondents, meeting the
costs associated with housing, food, basic goods (such as clothing, hygiene
items, and minimal furniture), medical services, and medicines has been a
constant struggle.
The specific challenges faced by refugees
varied across the four countries surveyed. In Egypt, food was cited as the most
frequently mentioned basic need that refugees found difficult to afford. In
Jordan, refugees spoke of housing and basic goods as major challenges. In
Lebanon, refugees reported equal difficulties with housing and food, while in
Iraq, securing housing, basic commodities, and food posed significant hurdles.
The study emphasized the importance of
humanitarian assistance as a vital source of income for refugees facing
challenges in their host countries.
These challenges include a lack of job
opportunities, insufficient financial assistance, outstanding debts, limited
access to health services, threats of eviction, tensions with the host
community, and various obstacles related to education, security, legal
residence, and obtaining necessary documents.
Since the start of the Syrian crisis in
2011, Jordan has provided refuge to over 1.3 million Syrians, including 660,000
Syrian refugees registered with the UNHCR as of the end of May 2023.
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