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Four years on: Palestine refugees from Syria in Jordan

30 March 2015

With the conflict in Syria entering  its fifth year, Jordan is now coping with a protracted refugee crisis. Palestinians, like Syrians, have fled to Jordan to seek refuge from the conflict and violence. However, unlike their Syrian counterparts, since January 2013, the Government of Jordan’s official policy has been not to allow Palestine refugees from Syria into Jordan . Many who have managed to enter Jordan have done so irregularly, thus exacerbating their vulnerability. Many live in constant fear of forced return and have limited mobility and access to employment, services and civil and legal processes. 

Life in Jordan is difficult for the more than 15,000 Palestine refugees from Syria recorded with UNRWA. They cannot access assistance reserved for Syrians and have limited income opportunities. They struggle to meet their basic needs and most rely on UNRWA support. For 2015, UNRWA requires US$ 16.5 million to help Palestine refugees from Syria in Jordan meet their basic needs (including food and shelter) and to provide them with medical care and access to schools. 

In 2014, 117 Palestine refugees were forcibly returned to Syria.The majority were women and children. As of mid-March 2015, UNRWA had already documented the forcible return of a further 33 Palestine refugees, including 18 children. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoMany Palestine refugees from Syria are in Jordan irregularly, making life uncertain and fraught with risk. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoWith limited income opportunities and depleted savings, eviction is a major concern. In 2014, 22 per cent of families reported being evicted at least once since arriving in Jodan. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoWinter is a particularly difficult time, with occasional snowfall and temparatures dropping below freezing. Families do their best to keep warm and recreate the comforts they lost when they fled Syria. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoMany Palestine refugees from Syria are in Jordan irregularly, making life uncertain and fraught with risk. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoTo help families battle the cold, in 2014, UNRWA delivered winter cash assistance to all Palestine refugees from Syria to buy essentials such as blankets and heating fuel. However, funding shortfalls in 2014 meant the value of the winterization package was almost 40 per cent less than planned. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoThe UNRWA team of protection social workers are dedicated to identifying and responding to protection concerns, such as separated children and families at risk of forced return. For special cases, UNRWA has forged select parternships to help address particular Palestine refugee concerns such as access to legal aid. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoIn 2015, more than 11,000 Palestine refugees from Syria will require UNRWA support to meet their food and non-food needs each month. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoMany Palestine refugees from Syria are not allowed to work in Jordan. About 80 per cent of families struggle to meet their basic needs and rely on UNRWA for support. Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA PhotoUNRWA urges the Jordanian authorities to grant temporary access and protection to Palestine refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria. South Amman, March 2015 © 2015 UNRWA Photo

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