The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

UNHCR urges Jordan to take in refugees fleeing Syria war

The United Nations refugee agency has urged Jordan to allow around 12,000 Syrian refugees stranded on its border to enter the country.

The UNHCR said the number of refugees stranded at Jordan’s northeastern border with Syria had jumped to 12,000 from 4,000 in recent weeks.

Aid workers and Jordanian officials involved in relief operations attributed the sudden rise in refugees to the Russian bombing of Islamic State-controlled areas in the east of Syria.

The UNCHR said the Syrians were also fleeing punishments imposed on civilians by IS militants in the north, including forced marriages, beheadings and floggings.

“The health situation is deteriorating, with increasing signs of diarrhoea, vomiting and acute malnutrition among children,” it said in a statement.

“If refugees are not admitted to Jordan and substantial assistance not provided, the lives of refugees will be at risk in the coming winter.”

The UNHCR said 11,000 refugees were in Rukban, about eight kilometres from the point where the Syrian, Iraqi and Jordanian borders meet. The remaining 1,000 were in Hadalat, about 90 kilometres further west.

It said the desperate people were living in a rocky desert area, devoid of shade, water or vegetation.

“It includes elderly people, it includes people who are sick and wounded, it includes children, women and others who are vulnerable and really need help,” UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told a briefing.

“We’re concerned that women have had to give birth at the berm in very unsanitary and unhygienic conditions.”

The UNHCR noted Jordan’s “tremendous contribution” in hosting more than 630,000 refugees.

It also highlighted the heavy strain that has put on the country’s infrastructure and economy, as well as security concerns.

But it said the numbers entering Jordan have slowed to fewer than 50 a day this year.

Jordanian officials say the kingdom has reached its limit in absorbing more refugees.

 

 

ABC NEWS