Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, declared on Monday that Jordan is “the largest host of refugees per capita globally”. He appreciated the support they receive but pointed out the decreasing aid reaching not only refugees and hosting communities but also UN organizations involved in refugee assistance.
In a press conference in Budapest, Hungary, with Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó, Safadi said, “Jordan has reached its capacity limit in bearing the brunt of the refugee influx. We’ve done everything possible to meet the refugees’ needs for a dignified life. They are victims of conflicts, and they shouldn’t be victims of negligence or deprived of a life they rightfully deserve.”
The Jordanian Foreign Minister further argued that “Investing in refugees equates to investing in our collective security. If we imbue the refugees with hope, provide them education, and empathize with their struggles, they’ll contribute to the societies they inhabit. They’ll even rebuild their homeland upon returning. However, if we abandon them, forcing them into despair, ignorance, and deprivation, we’ll face a substantial challenge in the future.”
He noted, “The World Food Program plans to reduce its services to around 10,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has started cutting back its services due to a lack of comprehensive financial support.”
Safadi cautioned that if the two organizations cease providing services, it “will intensify refugee suffering, and host nations will be forced to bear a burden they can’t afford.”
He urged the international community to “take concrete steps in providing the necessary support to aid host countries in delivering a decent life for refugees.”
Safadi affirmed that “Jordan’s role has consistently aimed to resolve regional crises, striving for security, stability, and peace, positively impacting the entire region.”
He added, “Despite many challenges, we must persist in our efforts to halt regional crises, alleviate the victims’ suffering, and mitigate the dangers posed to our shared security.”
