Poverty among refugees threatens to increase as Syria conflict marks its ninth anniversary

An estimated 79 percent of refugees – or over 500,000 people – live below the poverty line, on less than $3 a day, in Jordan. As the Syria crisis marks its ninth anniversary, UNHCR is concerned that more and more refugees throughout the Kingdom, as well as in the region, may slide into poverty as the economic climate in countries hosting large numbers of refugees continues to be impacted.

Syrian refugees are resilient and resourceful, but today they need our support more than ever.

In Jordan:

• Almost 90 percent of refugees report having borrowed money to meet their basic needs. It is estimated that over a third of refugee households hold over 400 dinar of debt. The main reasons behind this include borrowing money to buy food, pay for healthcare and pay rent.
• 31 percent of refugees have chronic medical conditions which effect their lives every day
• It is estimated that only 66 percent of refugees can easily access health services
• 84,000 refugee children – around 35 percent – of school age are not enrolled in any educational program
• Higher education opportunities are few. Out of 2,631 applications received for UNHCR’s DAFI scholarship in 2019, only 44 places are available. Increased funding for university level and vocational trainings are much needed.
• An estimated 10 percent of refugees in Jordan are in need of resettlement but less than 1 percent are resettled every year. In 2020, it is estimated that only 5,000 places will be available.

Despite this, over the last nine years, many successes have been achieved:

• An average of 30,000 refugee families – 120,000 vulnerable individuals - receive cash assistance from UNHCR every month
• In 2019, over 328,000 medical consultations have been provided to refugees throughout the country and over $1.3 million has been distributed under the cash for health project to refugees in need of emergency care.
• 177,000 Syrian refugees have been issued with work permits since the Jordan Compact was agreed in 2016
• Over 100 Jordanians and Syrians have been able to register home based businesses enabling them to support their families meet basic needs.
• Over 130,000 refugees attend a network of 25 UNHCR supported community centres across Jordan. These centres, provide refugees with valuable training, educational and recreational activities and are one the main interfaces through which refugees interact with UNHCR.

In addition:

• Almost 37,000 refugees have returned to Syria from Jordan since the border reopened in October 2018. 30,000 of them returned in 2019 and 1,800 have returned so far in 2020.
• UNHCR continues to operate a one refugee approach. Refugees in Jordan come from 52 nationalities. No matter their background or where they come from, all deserve the same rights.