Quartz 5

Refugees in Jordan

3 min read

united_nations
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has announced it is donating US$ 4.3 million (3 million Jordanian Dinars) in support of UNRWA to fund its response to the unfolding tragedy in the Gaza Strip.

  1. Demographics: Jordan hosts nearly two million Palestinian refugees, with most living in cities and towns, and a significant number in ten official and three unofficial camps.
  2. Education: There have been considerable strides in education, particularly among females. However, a growing disparity exists between camp and non-camp populations, with camp refugees having lower educational attainment.
  3. Health: Government hospitals are the main health providers, but UNRWA’s clinics are crucial for the poorest, especially in camps. Overall health insurance coverage has improved, but remains low among non-citizen refugees, particularly ex-Gazans.
  4. Living Conditions: There have been improvements in housing quality, access to water, and sanitation. However, camps still face significant challenges, with poorer conditions and greater need for infrastructure improvements.
  5. Economic Disparities: Camp residents and non-citizen refugees (mainly ex-Gazans) face greater poverty and lower income levels. Non-citizen refugees are particularly vulnerable, often living on less than $1.25 a day.

Jordan has been significantly affected by this conflict. We host over 2.2 million registered Palestinian refugees, making us one of the largest hosts of Palestinian refugees globally. The prolonged conflict exacerbates the humanitarian situation, placing immense strain on our resources and infrastructure. These refugees have the right to return to their homeland, a right enshrined in international law, yet denied due to ongoing territorial disputes and occupation.

Challenges and Priorities:

  • Addressing the sustained poverty and lower human development in camps.
  • Improving access to higher education for camp refugees.
  • Enhancing living conditions and infrastructure in priority camps such as Talbieh and Jerash.
  • Increasing vocational and technical training to match labor market demands.

acc. to https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/insights_into_the_socio-economic_conditions_of_palestinian_refugees_in_jordan.pdf

  • Extreme Poverty:
    • Non-citizen Palestinian refugees, mostly ex-Gazans, are more likely to be poor, with many living on less than $1.25 a day.
    • They are more than three times as likely to be among the very poorest and most destitute.
  • Restrictions on Livelihoods:
    • The report highlights restrictions on the ability of non-citizen refugees to earn a living and access educational opportunities.
    • These restrictions exacerbate their economic challenges and contribute to their vulnerability.
  • Government Efforts:
    • The Jordanian government has taken steps to mitigate some of these challenges, such as supporting a sewerage project in Jerash camp and providing health insurance for ex-Gazan children under six and subsidized healthcare for other ex-Gazans.
    • Despite these efforts, the root causes of their vulnerability remain unaddressed, including the restrictions on their ability to earn a living.

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