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In the presence of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of International Cooperation and Development, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) signed two cooperation agreements formalizing a total USD 5 million donation from the UAE Government for UNHCR of which USD 2 million is earmarked for health activities and USD 3 million for water, sanitation and health (WASH) for Syrian refugees in Jordan.
The agreement, which was signed by MICAD Undersecretary H.E. Hazaa Al Qahtani and UNHCR’s Regional Representative to the GCC Countries Imran Riza, is part of the inter-agency USD 60 million donation made by the UAE to a number of UN agencies working to address the needs of Syrians inside and outside the country, as per the announcement made during the Kuwait Second International Pledging Conference for Syria earlier this year.
The UAE donations will enable UNHCR to strengthen the provision of essential health services for Syrian refugees in Azraq and Zaatari camps while also allowing UNHCR to address some of the growing challenges related to providing dignified sanitary conditions in Zaatari camp through a series of water, sanitation and hygiene programs. Some 115,000 Syrian refugees are expected to benefit from these two projects.
The contribution was lauded by UNHCR as an important demonstration of solidarity. “As this crisis continues without an end in sight, it is essential that we continue to do as much as we can,” said Imran Riza.
“This generous contribution by the United Arab Emirates through the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) supports a collaborative approach by many partners to ensure greatest impact. UNHCR values its partnership with the UAE and with MICAD deeply,” Riza added.
Health services to be implemented as part of the donation include primary, reproductive and mental health care in addition to rehabilitation, nutrition and referrals to secondary and tertiary care in both Azraq and Zaatari refugee camps.
WASH activities will be in the form of drainage and waste water management, disposal of medical waste, rodent control the procurement of septic and water tanks and will also support UNHCR to carry out a topographic survey and wastewater collection design in Zaatari camp with the aim of further enhancing WASH services in the camp.
The UAE has been a notable supporter of the Syria humanitarian response having delivered more than USD 143 million (AED 502 million) of aid for Syrian refugees in the neighboring countries since 2012 according to a report published by MICAD.
At present, there are some 2.9 million Syrian refugees registered in the region, with numbers growing at a rate of 100,000 people every month. Jordan alone is home to more than 600,000 Syrian refugees of whom 80% are residing in urban areas.
As part of the 6th iteration of the Syria Regional Response Plan, only 33% funded. UNHCR and partners are warning of dire consequences if funding gaps are not closed and mounting refugee needs are not met.
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