Jordan. Baseline information. Syria Needs Analysis Project. Overview

Transcription

1 Jrdan Baseline infrmatin Syria Needs Analysis Prject This paper utlines the scial and ecnmic situatin in Jrdan by explaining the causes f the significant underlying vulnerabilities and by explring hw these issues have been cmpunded by the crisis in Syria and the subsequent ppulatin influx. Fr mre infrmatin n the current situatin f the Syrian refugees in Jrdan see the SNAP Reginal Analysis Reprts which are published n a mnthly basis. The Syria Needs Analysis Prject welcmes all infrmatin that culd cmplement this reprt. Fr additinal infrmatin, cmments r questins please SNAP@ACAPS.rg Cntent Overview Cuntry verview Humanitarian access Infrmatin surces and gaps Plitical develpments Ecnmy Hazards Livelihds and Fd Security Health Prtectin Educatin WASH Shelter Annex A Key backgrund dcuments Annex B Key ecnmic indicatrs Impact f the Syrian crisis: Since 2011, Jrdan has absrbed ver 590,000 Syrians, with the vast majrity living in hst cmmunities in the nrthern and central gvernrates. In these areas, basic services, including health, educatin, water supply and garbage cllectin have been severely verstretched. In additin, rental and fd csts have increased and cmpetitin in the infrmal labur market has depressed wages, exacerbating tensins with lcal cmmunities. T address these tensins, the Ministry f Planning and Internatinal Cperatin (MPIC) has required aid agencies t include Jrdanian beneficiaries as 30% in all prjects targeting Syrian refugees. Unlike thse wh fled Iraq, Syrian refugees lack the ecnmic capital t invest in Jrdan r access frmal wrk and have depleted their savings, resulting in increasingly negative cping mechanisms. On a macr level, there have been sme benefits t Jrdan as a result f the refugee influx. Jrdan s ecnmic grwth has been helped by increased cnsumptin by Syrians and mre high-spending turists wh have been re-ruted t Jrdan due t ther crises in the regin. Hwever, in recent years, ecnmic grwth has translated t uneven benefits, and if this trend cntinues, it culd reignite plitical tensins; this time directed twards Syrian refugees instead f the ruling mnarchy. Overview Causes f underlying vulnerabilities: Jrdan is well-develped in terms f health, educatin, WASH and shelter indicatrs, with the Gvernment f Jrdan (GJ) playing a majr rle in the prvisin f basic services. Hwever, these services, particularly energy and flur subsidies cme at a high cst t the GJ s fiscal health. Despite Jrdan s upper middle incme status, there is chrnically high unemplyment particularly affecting yuth and wmen, pverty has increased since the 2008 glbal recessin and 15% f the ppulatin are cnsidered pr. While Jrdan has weathered the ecnmic and plitical effects resulting frm the Arab Spring and ecnmic grwth is expected t increase in the medium term, the influx f 590,000 refugees frm Syria has verstretched public services and may have a lng-term effect n Jrdan s scarce water supplies. With few natural resurces, Jrdan is highly dependent n remittances and external aid, and thus vulnerable t internatinal and reginal dynamics. While Jrdan has been a bastin f stability in a turbulent regin fr much f its mdern histry, this has als made it a reluctant hst t massive influxes f Palestinian, Iraqi and nw Syrian refugees. The GJ s hspitality t refugees has prvided it with significant internatinal supprt and financing ver the years, hwever there is a danger that as dnr fatigue sets in fr the mst expensive humanitarian respnse in histry, the Gvernment will be unwilling t absrb bth the financial and plitical csts f hsting Syrians. Mst vulnerable grups and areas: Refugees frm Syria have settled in a number f impverished areas f Jrdan, particularly in rural areas f Mafraq and Irbid, which is hst t a disprprtinately large share f bth Syrian refugees and pr Jrdanians. The Syrian influx is likely t increase vulnerability amng the pr and has already created significant tensins between refugee and hst cmmunities, manifesting in prtests, discriminatin, harassment and in sme cases, vilent cnfrntatins. SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 1

2 Key indicatrs 2010 Indicatr Jrdan Lebann Syria Ttal ppulatin 6.4 millin* 4.4 millin** 24 millin Under 5 mrtality rate (per 1,000 births) Maternal mrtality rate (per 100,000 live births) Life expectancy at birth (male) Adult literacy rate 96% 90%* 83% Surces: Wrldbank, GeHives, Department f Statistics, *2012 estimate, **2012 estimate Ppulatin prfile: Jrdan s ppulatin was estimated at 6.4 millin in 2012 accrding t the cuntry s Department f Statistics (DS). The ppulatin estimate is calculated using data frm the last census undertaken in 2004 and the annual ppulatin grwth rate f 2.2%. Abut 83% f Jrdan s ppulatin lives in urban areas. (DS 2013) The average husehld size cuntrywide was 5.3 in 2010, with little subnatinal variatin. The lwest average husehld size is fund in Amman gvernrate with 5 persns, cmpared t the highest average f 5.9 persns per husehld in Mafraq. Fertility rates have decreased drastically frm 7.4 births per wman in 1976 t 3.7 in 2002 and have since plateaued. (USAID 2012/06, DS 2010) Sci-cultural characteristics: Arabic is the fficial language and English is taught in schls as a secnd language. Sunni Muslims make up ver 90% f Jrdan s ppulatin. Religius minrities include Christians (Orthdx, Cathlics and Prtestant) and very small ppulatins f Druze and Shi a. 98% f the ppulatin is ethnically Arab with the remaining made up f Armenians, Circassians and Chechens. The majrity f the ppulatin is made up f Arabs f Palestinian rigins. The inhabitants f Jrdan at the time f independence and their descendants are knw as East Bankers. (CIA Factbk 2013) Access Transprt: Jrdan has a 7,200 km paved rad netwrk, generally f high quality. A 500 km stretch f railrad netwrk exists but is in limited use. Mst f Jrdan is landlcked except fr a 26 km lng castline in Aqaba n the Red Sea, where Jrdan maintains ne prt. During the winter mnths (Nvember-March), rain and strms ften lead t flash flds and sme areas are evacuated. Snwfall can hinder mvements significantly as the cuntry is nt well equipped fr winter cnditins. Infrmatin surces and gaps Key Infrastructure An verview f the main reprts n the situatin in Jrdan can be fund in Annex A. Jrdan s Department f Statistics regularly publishes statistics n the state f the ppulatin and ecnmy. Hwever, sme infrmatin gaps remain, primarily related t: Official infrmatin n the number f citizens f Palestinian rigins. Estimates vary significantly and remain a sensitive plitical issue. Recent infrmatin n natinal pverty incidence: the mst recent pverty study was published in 2008 in respnse t the glbal fd price crisis and was limited t 20 sub-districts ut f a ttal f 73. Plitical develpments Backgrund: Jrdan is ruled by a cnstitutinal mnarchy headed by King Abdullah II, wh hlds significant executive and legislative pwers. The Parliament cnsists f a mnarchy-appinted 60-member upper huse and an elected 150 member lwer huse. Only 27 seats f the lwer huse are elected n a basis f prprtinal representatin, while the rest f the seats are determined by a single vte system in multi-seat districts, which allws fr the manipulatin f electral bundaries in favur f the East Banker ppulatin. This system heavily favurs ppulatins residing in rural areas, at the cst f majr urban areas, where Palestinian ppulatins are cncentrated. The Parliament can verride the King s vet with a tw-thirds vte and can SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 2

3 nly initiate laws with bth huses. 10% f parliament seats are reserved fr wmen while 9 are reserved fr Christians, 9 fr Beduins and a ttal f 3 seats fr bth Circassian and Chechen minrities. The King appints the ministerial cabinet in cnsultatin with the Prime Minister, wh is als appinted by the mnarch. (State Department 2012, Eurpean Frum fr Demcracy 2013, ICG 2012/12, Brandeis 2013/04, Carnegie 2013/12) Jrdan gained full independence in 1946 fllwing mre than 20 years under the British Mandate. Independence was fllwed by the 1948 Arab-Israeli wars, which sent an estimated 100,000 Palestinian refugees int Jrdan, primarily t Amman, Irbid and Zarqa. Althugh it was nt recgnised by the internatinal cmmunity, Jrdan annunced its annexatin f the West Bank in 1950, thereby prviding all West Bank residents with Jrdanian natinality and effectively dubling its ppulatin. The Palestinian ppulatin in Jrdan grew again due t the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, which saw 300,000 Palestinians flee t Jrdan. In 1988, Jrdan relinquished its legal and administrative claim t the West Bank, which de-natinalised 1.5 millin Palestinians wh remained in the West Bank. Palestinians wh fled t Jrdan after 1967 have n right t Jrdanian citizenship, but are able t access basic services thrugh UNRWA. (ICG 2012/12, CIA Factbk 2013) Palestinian natinalism increased thrughut the 1960s and culminated in the events knwn as Black September in Palestinian militants attempted t assassinate then-king Hussein several times, carried ut high-prfile plane hijackings and regularly clashed with Jrdan Armed Frces (JAF). The JAF mbilised t expel Palestinian plitical rganisatins and fighters, wh were cncentrated in Amman. Ensuing battles led t thusands f casualties and mst f thse expelled fled primarily t Lebann, as well as sme t Syria. The Black September events fulfilled East Bankers fears f Palestinian dminance f the Kingdm and led t a purge f thse f Palestinian rigin frm psitins in the public sectr, including the security and intelligence frces. The multi-party system in Jrdan remains nascent with mst members f Parliament running independently and representing tribal interests. There are ver tw dzen registered plitical parties, but they are largely persnalitycentric, with weak plitical platfrms based generally n pan-arab, Islamist and cnservative rientatins. (ICG 2012/12, Eurpean Frum fr Demcracy 2013) The Islamic Actin Frnt (IAF), which is tied t the Muslim Brtherhd, is the largest party and cnstitutes the main ppsitin in Jrdan. Since 2010, the IAF has byctted electins due t the lack f refrm t the electral system and therefre hlds n seats in Parliament. (ICG 2012/12, Eurpean Frum fr Demcracy 2013) Jrdan s military and intelligence bdies are recgnised as the mst prfessinal in the regin. The JAF has a navy, land and special peratins frces under civilian cmmand. The Public Security Directrate (PSD), Civil Defence Directrate (CDD) and gendarmerie reprt t the Ministry f Interir, while the General Intelligence Directrate (GID) reprts directly t the King. All security and intelligence bdies are dminated by East Bankers. Sme senir psitins in the JAF are reserved fr Christians. (State Department 2012) Recent develpments: The Arab Spring prtests affected Jrdan minimally cmpared t ther cuntries in the regin. Prtests began in early 2011 calling fr refrms t the electral system and an end t crruptin. The mvement gained sme tractin acrss plitical parties, age grups and even the East Banker-Palestinian divide. Organised gangs began attacking prtestrs and the media, resulting in dzens f arrests, as well as injuries. The King tk steps t make cnstitutinal refrms t empwer the Parliament and crack dwn n high-level crruptin but implementatin f the refrms has remained very limited. (ICG 2012/12, Brandeis 2013/04, Carnegie 2013/12) Timeline present Tensins between King Hussein relinquishes Kuwait expels Palestinians King Abdullah II assumes Peaceful prtests begin in Refugees fleeing the cnflict in Palestinian militants and Jrdan s claim t the West fllwing the Iraqi invasin the thrne and develps Jrdan calling fr ecnmic, Syrian begin t enter Jrdan and the GJ erupt, leading t Bank, thereby denatinalising and ccupatin. 300,000 f an ambitius ecnmic cnstitutinal and electral ther neighburing cuntries in the expulsin f 1.5 millin these Palestinians hld refrm agenda, which refrms. Prtests cntinued large numbers. The vast majrity Palestinian rganisatins Palestinians. Jrdanian citizenship and includes the privatisatin thrughut the year and were f refugees settle in hst and marginalisatin f are returned t Jrdan, f state enterprises and further fuelled by the cmmunities due t Palestinians frm the althugh many had never creatin f special Gvernment s reductin f fuel unsatisfactry living and security public sectr. lived in the Kingdm. The ecnmic znes, leading subsidies in late cnditins in Za atari refugee mass expulsin increased t high ecnmic grwth camp. SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Jrdan s ppulatin by between nearly 10%. Page 3

4 There have been 6 prime ministers appinted since The shuffling f prime ministers and cabinets has reprtedly been a well-used tactic by the mnarchy t deflect public discntent. (Time 2012/04/26, ICG 2012/12) Crruptin and accuntability: Crruptin is perceived t be widespread in Jrdan s private and public sectrs. Despite recent anti-crruptin prtests and limited refrm effrts, Jrdan s ranking in Transparency Internatinal s 2013 Crruptin Perceptin Index, shwed the Kingdm drpped in rank frm 58 (in 2012) t 66 ut f 177 cuntries surveyed. Crruptin and neptism were perceived as cmmn bstacles t demcracy amng Jrdanians. (Transparency Internatinal 2013/12) A think tank fund that the gap between Jrdan s legal framewrk and actual implementatin had grwn between 2007 and The cuntry s legal framewrk was ranked as very weak in (Glbal Integrity 2009) Ecnmy Jrdanian ecnmy verview: Jrdan is classified by the Wrld Bank as an upper middle incme ecnmy. Despite high external debt, a heavy reliance n freign assistance and reginal ecnmic turmil resulting frm the Arab Spring, Jrdan s ecnmy cntinues t grw slwly but steadily. As a resurce pr cuntry, Jrdan is heavily dependent n imprts fr its energy and fd needs and thus highly vulnerable t fluctuatins in internatinal markets. Since 1999, Jrdan has undertaken a number f ecnmic refrms t liberalise its ecnmy by privatising industries and reducing state fuel subsidies. Jrdan s ecnmy is service-based and ne-quarter f jbs are fund in the public sectr. The Syrian crisis has had bth psitive and negative effects n Jrdan s ecnmy. Althugh weakly integrated with Syria s, Jrdan s ecnmy has suffered frm disrupted transit rutes t reginal trade partners which has impacted sme exprts. In additin, the influx f Syrians has verstretched public services in the nrthern gvernrates and increased demand fr the GJ s fuel, electricity and flur subsidies cntributing t its deepening public debt. On the ther hand, dmestic cnsumptin and sme residential cnstructin, as well as tax revenue, have increased as a result f the influx and the humanitarian rganisatins have directly emplyed several thusand Jrdanians. In additin, Jrdan s stability has drawn higher spending Gulf and western turists wh were typically visiting Lebann, Syria and Egypt prir t the crisis. (UNDP 12/08, UN Cmtrade 2012, Wrld Bank 2013/09, Wrld Bank 2013/03) Service sectr: The service sectr makes up 80% f ttal emplyment in Jrdan and includes: GJ services Transprt, strage and cmmunicatin services Whlesale and retail trade, including htel and restaurant services Persnal services, such as leisure and dmestic care services Financial, real estate and insurance services (Wrld Bank 2013, DS 2012) Agriculture: Agriculture prvides arund 3.6% f GDP and 2% f ttal emplyment, bth f which have steadily declined since the cuntry s independence. The Jrdan River valley is the mst fertile regin, while the nrthern and central regins practice rainfed agriculture. The primary agricultural prducts are wheat, barley, vegetables, lives and fruits. (DS 2012) Energy and water: Apprximately 96% f Jrdan s energy cnsumptin is met thrugh the imprtatin f il and gas. Althugh the GJ has steadily reduced fuel subsidies in recent years, these cntinue t be a significant drain n public expenditures. Dzens f attacks by unknwn armed grups n a majr gas pipeline frm Egypt have resulted in heavy financial lsses fr the GJ since the verthrw f President Hsni Mubarak in Jrdan is the furth mst water scarce cuntry in the wrld. Effrts t imprve water access have fcused n imprving cnveyance frm aquifers t ppulatin centres, establishing desalinisatin plants and reginal water sharing deals. (IMF 2013/10, USAID 12/06, FT 2013/12/09) Infrmal ecnmy: The infrmal ecnmy, the segment f the ecnmy that is nt measured by natinal r ther fficial systems, was estimated t cntribute 44% f ttal emplyment and 21% f GDP in (UNDP 2012/08) Macr-ecnmics: Jrdan s ecnmy faced a significant recessin in the late 1980s due t limited remittances and freign assistance frm Gulf cuntries as a result f lw il prices. The ecnmy recvered in the early 1990s, due in part t the mass return f 300,000 Palestinian Jrdanians frm Kuwait and their investments in lcal enterprises. Between 2004 until the glbal financial crisis in 2008, the ecnmy grew at an average rate f 8%. Hwever, there were few permanent, frmal jbs created, while temprary and infrmal psitins significantly increased. In 2010, ecnmic SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 4

5 grwth slwed t 2.3% but is believed t be increasing t ver 3% in 2013 and 2014, despite the Syrian crisis. (IMF 2013/10, Wrld Bank 2013, Oxfrd 1995, YEA/FNF 2013/10) GDP per capita: In 2012, the GPD per capita was USD 4,900 cmpared t USD 4,370 in (Wrld Bank 2013) Trade deficit: As a resurce scarce cuntry, Jrdan maintains significant trade deficits, imprting three times mre than it exprts. Main exprts are mineral and chemical prducts, manufactured gds and fd prducts, while imprts are il, grains, ther fd prducts and vehicles. Jrdan s main trading partners are MENA and EU cuntries, the US and China. The large trade deficits are slightly ffset by remittances, freign direct investments and freign assistance. (DS 2012, Wrld Bank 2013) Exchange Rate: The Jrdanian dinar has been pegged t the US Dllar at apprximately 1.41 JD t 1 USD since (YEA/FNF 2013/10) Budget deficit and public debt: GJ expenditures are structurally higher than revenues, with public debt reaching 80% f GDP in As a result f spiralling debts, Jrdan entered int a stand-by agreement with the IMF, which has resulted in a number f reductins t subsidised gds and services and increased prices f cmmdities. (Wrld Bank 2013) Inflatin: In 2012, the inflatin rate based n Jrdan s cnsumer price index (CPI) was estimated at 4.7% due t the remval f sme fuel subsidies. Inflatin was prjected t decrease t 3% at the end f (IMF 2013/10) Impact f the Syrian crisis Unemplyment: The unemplyment rate in Jrdan grew t 14% in late 2013, frm 13.1% in Given the bureaucratic bstacles and expenses invlved t btain a wrk permit, an estimated 160,000 Syrians are believed t be wrking in Jrdan withut legal authrisatin. The vast majrity f Syrians wrk in the infrmal sectr, which has likely driven dwn wages and increased cmpetitin with Jrdanians and ther migrant wrkers, particularly Egyptians, wh als depend n the infrmal sectr. In 2010, the infrmal sectr accunted fr 44% f ttal emplyment in Jrdan. (MPIC 2013/10, UNDP 2012/08, IMF 2013/10/10, DS 2013/10/09) Turism: In 2011, the inflw f turists t Jrdan was adversely affected by reginal turmil, but the turism industry rebunded in 2012 and cntributed t verall ecnmic grwth in Jrdan benefited frm turists, particularly highspending visitrs frm the Gulf, wh wuld usually travel t Lebann r Syria. (Wrld Bank 2013/03) Prjectins: Varius surces prject the fllwing ecnmic dynamics: GDP grwth will grw t an annual average f 3.5% and CPI inflatin will significantly decrease t 3.2% in (IMF 2013/10) The GJ will require USD 1.68 billin, nt including the csts f running the refugee camps, t keep up with the increased demand fr public services resulting frm the influx f Syrian refugees. (MPIC 2013/10) Psitive impact f the crisis: There are als Jrdanians wh are benefiting ecnmically frm the influx - the arrival f aid agencies has injected mney int the lcal ecnmy and created jb pprtunities, particularly fr university graduates, wh traditinally face the highest unemplyment rates in Jrdan. Lcal businesses and the agriculture sectr are benefitting frm the availability f cheap labur, whilst landlrds and landwners are making significant prfits n renting ut prperty, which had previusly been vacant. Hazards Plitical instability and vulnerability: Overall, Jrdan is ethnically and religiusly hmgenus and tlerant f its minrity grups. The mst significant tensins in Jrdan s mdern histry have been between Palestinians and the mnarchy, the latter f which has traditinally been supprted by East Bankers. While these tensins have nt resulted in vilence fr decades, significant plitical tensins exist, with Palestinians ften blamed fr the perceived wrsening sci-ecnmic cnditins f the East Banker ppulatin. GJ capacity: The GJ f Jrdan, led by the Civil Defence Directrate (CDD), has gd capacity t respnd t emergencies, bth in terms f assets (helicpters, ambulances, etc.) as well as skills. In 2013, the CDD achieved UN status f heavy strength in urban search and rescue. In 2011, the CDD has respnded t 180,000 emergencies, primarily with ambulance services. The Jrdanian Red Crescent specialises in health services and is underging restructuring t respnd t the influx f Syrian refugees. (PPRD Suth 2010/06/24, CDD 2012) Hazards: The main natural hazards identified by the GJ are: earthquakes, flash flds, snwstrms, frst, drught and desertificatin. (Directrate f Civil Defence) Earthquakes: Jrdan s ppulatin centres lie near the Dead Sea Fault Line, which created the Gulf f Aqaba and the Dead Sea. The last majr earthquake registered a 5.3 n the Richter scale alng the Dead Sea fault line in 2004 but caused minimal casualties and damage. It is estimated that there is a 50% chance f an earthquake with a magnitude greater than 6 striking the cuntry every 80 years. (USGS 2012/08, Stanfrd 1988) SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 5

6 Flds: Flash flds and flding usually ccur frm Nvember t February and while they cntribute mst t disaster-related deaths, they remain lw at 52 deaths ver a 29 year perid. (UNISDR 2012/05) Livelihds and Fd Security Livelihds The main areas f emplyment are services, fllwed by manufacturing. The labur market is characterised by: Chrnic unemplyment rates arund 13.7% ver the past decade, particularly amng yung university graduates and wmen. 29% f yuths (age 15-24) and 20% f wmen are unemplyed. A high prevalence f infrmal emplyment (an estimated 44% f wrkers). (Wrld Bank 2013/03, IMF 2013/10) Very lw rates f labur market participatin amng wmen at 14%. Sme f the reasns behind wmen s lw activity rates include child bearing, cultural practices and husehld respnsibilities. (Wrld Bank 2013/03, UNDP 2012/08) In 2012, the minimum wage was set at JD 190 (USD 268) per mnth, althugh it des nt apply t freigners and garment wrkers. The minimum wage fr Jrdanian garment wrkers is JD 170 (USD 240) and fr freign garment wrkers, JD 110 (USD 155). The pverty line was set at JD 366 (USD 517) fr a family f 5. (State Department 2012) Fd security Fd imprts: Jrdan is heavily dependent n imprted fd, with dmestic fd and feed prductin nly cvering 3% f cnsumptin needs. The Black Sea regin, including Ukraine and Russia, is the main grain surce, with mst brught in thrugh Aqaba prt. The GJ maintains a 10-mnth strategic reserve f wheat t prtect against price shcks. (GIEWS 2013/10/01, USDA 2012/11/28) Fd access: Bread is subsidised and sld at JD 0.15 (USD 0.22) per kil, which is smetimes as little as 25% f the cst f the wheat. In 2008, the average per capita fd expenditures were JD 41 (USD 58) per mnth. On average, 37% f husehld expenditures are spent n fd. (WFP 2008/09, DS 2010, USDA 2012/11/28) Pverty prfile: Accrding t the Wrld Bank, 15% f husehlds in Jrdan are cnsidered pr. Pverty rates were halved between 2002 and 2010, althugh they have increased slightly since the 2008 glbal fd crisis and financial recessin. The number f pverty pckets, r areas in which mre than 25% f the ppulatin lives belw the pverty line, increased frm 22 t 32 between 2006 and There is a higher pverty incidence rate in rural areas, hwever urban areas hst the majrity f the pr in Jrdan. Mafraq gvernrate is hst t mre than ne-third f the identified pverty pckets, while Ma an, Karak and Irbid each hst 13%. Mst f the pr are living near the pverty line, with 2% living belw the abject pverty line, which stands at JD 24 (USD 34) per capita per mnth. (YEA/FNF 2013/10, IRIN 2013/22/02, WFP 2008/09, Wrld Bank 2013/03) Impact f the Syrian crisis: The influx f a large number f Syrians has increased supply f labur and demand fr fd items, leading t decreased salaries fr lw skilled labur in sme parts f the cuntry and an increase in prices fr basic cmmdities. Mafraq and Irbid gvernrates have been identified as particularly vulnerable due t the high cncentratin f Syrian refugees and high levels f pre-existing pverty. As a result, tensins between Jrdanians and Syrians have been high, resulting in vilent prtests in sme cases and refugee reprts f harassment. T address these tensins, the MPIC has required aid agencies t include Jrdanian beneficiaries as 30% f all prjects targeting Syrian refugees. The cnflict in neighburing Syria has impacted the livelihds f brder twns, particularly Ramtha, which is reliant n trade with Syria. While Syria was nt a majr trade partner, Jrdan utilised its transprt rutes t reach EU markets and has re-ruted exprts thrugh Iraq r t markets in the Gulf. (IRIN 2012/10/18, MPIC/UNDP 2013/11) Health Infrastructure and cverage Infrastructure: Jrdan has ne f the mst advanced health systems in the regin. Health services are prvided by bth the public and private sectrs in Jrdan. Public health services are primarily prvided and funded by the Ministry f Health (MH) and the Ryal Medical Services (RMS). Private health services include fr-prfit cmpanies, university hspitals, UNRWA clinics and nn-prfit charities. There were 1.8 hspitals beds available per 1,000 peple in In 2011, WHO reprted that the primary challenges t Jrdan s health system were identified as the lack f efficient referral systems, weak SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 6

7 crdinatin amng health service prviders, weak infrmatin management services and duplicatin f services. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, WHO 2011/08) Health expenditure: In 2011, per capita health expenses were estimated at JD 278 (USD 392) including bth private and public health r 8.4% f GDP. Health spending makes up abut 18% f the GJ s ttal spending. The GJ funds 68% f all health expenses, with the private sectr and internatinal dnrs funding 29% f ttal health csts. The remaining 3% was funded by internatinal dnrs, thugh this is likely t have increased since 2011 due t the Syrian refugee influx. GJ spending n the health sectr has gradually increased ver the last decade. (WHO 2014/01) Abut 88% f the ppulatin is cvered by health insurance. The MH s Natinal Health Insurance cvers 42% f the ppulatin, including civil servants and their dependents, vulnerable grups (thse certified as pr by the Ministry f Scial Develpment (MSD), children under 6, the disabled, etc.) and als acts as the prvide f last resrt by prviding services at subsidised rates. RMS cvers 27% f the ppulatin, including thse in the military services while private insurers, UNRWA and university hspitals cver the remainder f the insured ppulatin. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, WHO 2011/08) Human resurces: In 2010, there were sufficient trained medical persnnel in Jrdan, with arund 26.5 physicians, 38.5 nurses, 15 pharmacists and 9.3 dentists per 10,000 peple. The rati f health prfessinals t residents had been increasing prir t (WHO 2011/08) Maternal health care: Maternal healthcare is f a high standard, with 99% f all births taking place in a health facility and 95.5% f pregnant wmen receiving prenatal care. The maternal mrtality rati drpped frm 104 deaths t 86.3 deaths per 100,000 live births between 1993 and The majrity f wmen practicing family planning use traditinal methds f cntraceptin (65%), while 35% used mdern methds. (DS 2013/03) Causes f Mrtality (2008) Medicines: Jrdan has a pharmaceutical industry which supplies 25% f its dmestic cnsumptin, with the vast majrity prduced fr exprt. Medicines make up mre than ne-quarter f Jrdan s health expenditures, a rate which has been grwing in recent years due t increases in drug csts and cnsumptin. The Jrdan Fd and Drug Administratin (JFDA) is respnsible fr quality cntrl, licensing and price cntrls. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, WHO 2011/08) Immunisatin: In 2012, 93% f children were fully immunised with all recmmended vaccinatins (measles, pli, TB and diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus, knwn as DPT). 98% f children were immunised against pli and DPT, while measles cverage was 94%. (DS 2013/03) Mrbidity and mrtality: Child mrtality: Between , under-5 mrtality rates averaged 21 per 1,000 births, with the vast majrity f deaths ccurring during the first year f life. Bth child and infant mrtality has decreased significantly in recent years. (DS 2013/03) Nn-cmmunicable diseases: Cardivascular cnditins were the leading reprted cause f death in In additin, neplasms, diabetes, respiratry diseases and external injuries were majr causes f mrbidity. Increasing rates f nn-cmmunicable diseases are due t the increasing ppulatin f elderly, increasing fd cnsumptin, smking and lack f exercise. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, WHO 2011/08) Cmmunicable diseases: Cmmunicable diseases made up 15% f registered causes f death in Althugh mrtality frm diarrheal and respiratry diseases is very lw, these diseases are the leading causes f mrbidity amng Jrdanian children. Jrdan was declared pli-free in 1988, althugh there was ne freign transmitted case cnfirmed in N cases f measles had been reprted since 2009 until the recent arrival f Syrians. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, WHO 2011/08, WHO) SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 7

8 HIV/AIDS: Jrdan has a very lw prevalence f HIV/AIDS with 0.1% f the ppulatin. Arund 600 cases f HIV/AIDS had been identified in (CIA Factbk 2013) Mental health: Jrdan s Natinal Center fr Mental Health estimates that 20% f the ppulatin requires psychiatric care, althugh the vast majrity d nt seek treatment due t stigmatisatin. Schizphrenia was the mst cmmn diagnsis amng mental health facilities. (WHO 2011/01, The Natinal 2008/11/16) Nutritin: Malnutritin is nt a majr cncern in Jrdan and the natinal diet is relatively diverse. Rates f verweight and bese children and wmen f childbearing age are increasing due t changing lifestyles and diets. (FAO 2011) Disability: The 2004 census recrded abut 63,000 cases f disability, making up 1.2% f the ppulatin. UNICEF estimates that the glbal prevalence f mderate t severe disabilities amng a ppulatin is 5%. The 6 categries f disabilities used were: physical, mental, visin, hearing/speaking, cerebral palsy and multi-disability cases. (DS 2004, MPIC/UNDP 2013/11) Impact f the Syrian crisis: Since May 2012, health services are prvided free t all Syrian refugees. The refugee influx has led t a significant increase in demand fr healthcare in the nrthern gvernrates and Amman, where the majrity f refugees reside, and has verstretched a number f health services. In Mafraq and Irbid gvernrates, Syrians make up abut 10% f the patient caselad in MH facilities; in sme hspitals in these areas, the prprtin f Syrian patients reaches 18%. The main diagnses f Syrian patients at MH facilities were upper respiratry infectins, high bld pressure and urinary tract infectins. There are increased rate f sme cmmunicable diseases such as TB, measles and leishmaniasis amng Syrian ppulatins cmpared t Jrdanians, which culd increase the natinal prevalence. The number f surgeries fr Syrians, particularly fr trauma and weapn-related wunds, increased frm 105 t 622 between January and March (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, MH/WHO 2013, The Lancet 2013/07/03) Between June 2012 and December 2013, the rati f physicians, nurses and pharmacists per 100,000 ppulatin was prjected t decrease by 15% t the increase in demand. In the nrthern gvernrates, there are shrtages in specialised health wrkers, such as gynaeclgists, paediatricians, psychiatrists and dermatlgists. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, The Lancet 2013/07/03) The MH estimated that the cst f prviding health services t Syrian refugees in 2013 was USD 168 millin, while the cst f medicine and vaccines ttals USD 58 millin. The expansin f health infrastructure t accmmdate Syrians is estimated at USD 84 millin. (MPIC 2013/10) Prtectin Justice system and laws Jrdan s justice system has been influenced by Ottman, French, British and Islamic laws. The Curt f Cassatin is the highest curt in Jrdan. The Chief Justice is appinted by the King, while ther judges are nminated by the Higher Judicial Cuncil and apprved by the King. There are 3 types f curts: Civil curts: The Magistrate s Curt and Curt f First Instance deal with minr crimes and small-scale civil suits. Majr Felnies Curt deal with serius, ften vilent crimes. The Curt f Appeal reviews cases invlving minr crimes r civil actin, while the Curt f Cassatin reviews felny appeals and large civil actin cases. There is als a special Land Settlement Curt, which deals with issues f wnership, infringement and demarcatin f land, as well as water surces. (DS 2012) Religius curt: Religius curts have jurisdictin ver all persnal status issues, such as marriage, divrce, inheritance and adptins, etc. Muslims must g t Shari a curts n all such issues, while ther recgnised religius cmmunities have legal cuncils t adjudicate. In the case f inheritance, all religius curts must implement shari a law. There is n ptin fr civil marriage r divrce in Jrdan. State Security Curt: The state security curt tries cases related t natinal security issues, including espinage and drug and weapns trafficking. Hwever, civil sciety grups reprt that these curts have been used t try jurnalists and members f the plitical ppsitin. There is n appeal prcess fr rulings and nly the Prime Minister can alter r annul the sentence. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11, UNESCO) There is cncern with the vague jurisdictin f the State Security Curt and reprts f its increasing invlvement in cases against peaceful prtestrs, the media and the plitical ppsitin. In additin, there is a lack f transparency and trials are nt pen t the public. There was n fficial infrmatin n the number r types f cases tried in these curts. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11) Impact f the Syrian crisis: As at January 2014 n infrmatin is available n the ttal number f legal cases invlving Syrians. The Family Prtectin Department reprted that 71 Syrian cases invlving sexual and gender-based vilence were referred t curts between January and Octber (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11) Abuse, trture and detentin cnditins Althugh recent cnstitutinal amendments prhibit trture and the use f cnfessins resulting frm trture, civil sciety grups reprt that trture and physical and sexual abuse cntinue t be perpetrated, particularly by the General Intelligence Directrate (GID) and Criminal Investigatin Directrate (CID). The Natinal Center fr Human Rights received 75 cmplaints f abuse and trture in plice statins. Mechanisms t investigate trture allegatins are SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 8

9 weak and n law enfrcement fficials have been prsecuted. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11, State Department 2012) Abut 25,000 peple are imprisned in Jrdan s 14 crrectinal facilities in 2012 f which 8 reprtedly meet internatinal standards while the remaining 6 facilities are in pr cnditin. There are 220 wmen and 2,400 juvenile inmates. Inmates reprt inadequate fd, health care, drinking water and expsure t extreme temperatures. Detainees held n natinal security-related issues are usually held in slitary cnfinement. (State Department 2012) The death sentence cntinues t be applied in Jrdan althugh the last executin ccurred in In 2013, there were 106 peple n death rw, including 9 wmen. (DPW 2013/06/28, NCHR 2010) Wmen s rights Jrdanian law discriminates against wmen by, amng ther things, denying them the right t pass their natinality t their children r spuses. This law particularly affects Jrdanian wmen married t Palestinians withut Jrdanian citizenship. T access basic services, nn-jrdanian dependents must btain resident permits n an annual basis. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11) The law prvides fr circumstances in which perpetratrs f hnur killings are exempted frm punishment. In 2009, human rights grups estimated that an average f 25 wmen were murdered each year in hnur killings. (HRW 2009/08/10) Marital rape is nt cnsidered a crime in Jrdanian law. In additin, if a perpetratr marries the rape survivr, then criminal charges are drpped. Jrdanian civil sciety grups reprted that gvernrs have the authrity t detain wmen n the grunds f suspicin f dishnurable cnduct. 17 wmen were reprtedly held in prtective custdy, in sme cases fr up t 10 years. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11) In the cuntry s sharia curts, the testimny f tw wmen is equal t that f ne man. In additin, female inheritrs receive less than their male cunterparts. (CIA Factbk 2013) Child rights 99% f children brn in Jrdan receive a birth certificate. The GJ has denied registratin t children brn ut f wedlck r inter-faith marriages invlving a Muslim mther r whse parents cnverted frm Islam. The lack f registratin affected children s access t basic services and t btain ther types f civil dcumentatin. (DS 2013/03, CIA Factbk 2013) In 2008, the GJ estimated that 32,000 children between age 5 and 17 were wrking. Agriculture, electrical repair, mining and cnstructin were cmmn sectrs and presented a number f hazards. Child labur is believed t be cncentrated in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa, as well as in Mafraq and Ma an. (CIA Factbk 2013, DL 2013) The minimum age f criminal respnsibility is very lw at age 7. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11) GJ inspectrs have dcumented cases f physical and verbal abuse f children in rphanages and juvenile centres by staff. (State Department 2012) Human Trafficking There are n estimates available n the number f trafficked persns in Jrdan. Peple frm the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syrian, Nrth Africa and Eastern Eurpean cuntries generally enter Jrdan legally and are then subjected t varius frms f frced labur, particularly in dmestic wrk, cnstructin, agricultural wrk and prstitutin. Jrdan has limited capacity t identify trafficked persns r thse subject t frced labur and the legal framewrk is weak. In 2013, there were n prsecutins fr trafficking ffenses. (Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11, State Department 2013) Vilence and criminality Vilence and criminality in Jrdan are quite lw, hwever, crime rates increased by 39% between 2008 and In 2012, there were 33,000 general crimes reprted r abut 5 reprts per 1,000 peple. Aqaba and Amman reprt the highest per capita crime rate at 8 and 7 crimes per 1,000 peple, respectively. Ajlun had the lwest rate with less than 2 crimes reprted per 1,000 peple. (DS 2012) Impact f the Syrian Crisis: There has been n measurable impact f an increased crime rate due t the influx f refugees frm Syria. Sme municipalities reprted an increase in petty crime, hwever, this trend was attributed t the increase in unemplyed Jrdanian yuth and their increased litering in public spaces. There have been ccasinal shells landing in Jrdanian territry, causing damage and injuries since the beginning f the Syrian cnflict, but spill-ver has been limited due t the heavy presence f the JAF alng the brder. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11) Hundreds f Jrdanians are reprted t have jined ppsitin grups fighting in Syria, ften thse with ties t Al-Qaeda, such as Jabhat al-nusra, and dzens have been killed. As f September 2013, the GJ had arrested 68 Jrdanians fr ties t the cnflict in Syria, the majrity f which were referred t the State Security Curt. There is cncern that the Syrian cnflict will further radicalise sme Jrdanians and lead t terrrist attacks within the cuntry. In Octber 2012, the GJ reprted stpping a cmplex suicide attack targeting varius upscale htels and shpping malls in Amman. (CTC Sentinel 2013/10/24, NYT 2012/10/21) SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 9

10 Vulnerable grups: Migrant wrkers: Despite Jrdan s high unemplyment rates, there is a significant freign migrant wrker ppulatin, dminated by Egyptians but als including Filipin, Indnesian and Sri Lankan natinals. Migrant wrkers primarily ccupy psitins in agriculture, cnstructin, dmestic wrk and services. While Jrdan has taken steps t imprve legal rights fr the estimated 70,000 migrant dmestic wrkers in the cuntry by cvering them under sme f its labur laws and instituting specific rights fr dmestic wrkers, enfrcement is pr and minimum wage des nt apply t dmestic wrk. Dmestic wrkers reprted experiencing physical and sexual abuse, underpayment r delayed payment f salaries, excessive wrk hurs and frced cnfinement. (HRW 2014/01, HRW 2011/08, Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11) Refugees: Jrdan hsts the largest ppulatin fr refugees in the wrld, bth in terms f abslute numbers and in prprtin t the indigenus ppulatin. Despite its lng histry f prviding refuge, Jrdan has nt ratified the 1951 Refugee Cnventin relating t the Status f Refugees. UNHCR perates in Jrdan based n a 1998 Memrandum f Understanding with the Ministry f Interir which gives UNHCR the respnsibility fr prcessing asylum claims and refugee status determinatin in the absence f natinal mechanisms. (UNHCR, MIS 2010/08) As f January 2014, 590,000 Syrian refugees were registered with UNHCR. Abut 90% f the registered refugee ppulatin are living in the nrthern gvernrates f Mafraq, Amman, Irbid and Zarqa. Like ther refugee ppulatins in Jrdan, Syrians struggle t survive with the increasing csts f living, the lack f wrk permits and pr living cnditins in Za atari camp. (UNHCR 2013/01) There are 2 millin registered Palestine refugees wh fall under the mandate f the UN Relief and Wrks Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA prvides educatin, health and ther services fr Palestinian refugees. The majrity f Palestinians are cncentrated in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa. In January 2013, the GJ annunced that it wuld nt allw Palestinians refugees fleeing Syria (PRS) t enter the cuntry. This plicy has stemmed the flw f PRS int Jrdan, but a few hundreds cntinue t arrive every mnth. Abut 11,000 PRS have been recrded by UNRWA and are able t access available UNRWA services. 98% f them live in hst cmmunities, mstly in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa. Abut 200 PRS are held in Cyber City, a clsed facility near the brder twn f Ramtha. PRS are a highly marginalised grup in Jrdan, with the majrity living in abject pverty and highly vulnerable t refulement. The GJ is reprted t have frcibly returned dzens f PRS t Syria, including wmen and children. (Amnesty 2013/10/30, HRW 2012/07/04, UNRWA 2013/01) 25,000 Iraqis were registered with UNHCR at the end f 2013 and thusands have been referred fr third cuntry resettlement. The Iraqi refugee ppulatin in Jrdan is generally highly-educated and relatively affluent cmpared t ther refugee grups. (UNHCR, MIS 2010/08) Over 2,000 refugees and asylum seekers frm Sudan, Smalia and ther cuntries are registered with UNHCR. These grups are perhaps the mst vulnerable refugees as they are ften impverished, face increased discriminatin and receive less aid cmpared t Syrian refugees. (UNHCR, The Atlantic 2013/11/22) Persns with disabilities: Despite the GJ s effrts t legislate the rights f the disabled, there has been a significant gap in implementing the laws n integratin, inclusin and accessibility. GJ inspectrs have dcumented the use, by staff, f physical abuse and cages t punish peple with disabilities wh are accessing services in GJ institutins. Frced sterilisatin f wmen and girls with mental disabilities remains cmmn. Stigmatisatin f peple with disabilities cntinues t be a barrier t integratin int the schl system. In 2012, the ME refused t register children with mild and mderate disabilities. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11, State Department 2012, Human Rights Cuncil 2013/11) Educatin Cmpulsry educatin is 10 years in Jrdan, beginning with 6 years f primary schl fllwed by 4 years f secndary schl. Thereafter, upper secndary schl lasts 2 years. (UNESCO 2012) The adult literacy rate (percentage f persns aged 15 and ver wh can read and write) in Jrdan was 96% in 2011 (98% fr males and 94% fr females). (UNESCO 2011, Wrld Bank 2011) The rate f cmpletin amng students entering primary schl is 98%. An estimated 2% f children are ut f primary schl, with a slightly a higher rate f 3% fr females. (UNESCO 2010, UNESCO 2011) Schl fees fr public schls are lw with an annual fee f JD 3.7 (USD 5.22) fr primary schl, which includes unifrms, schl fees and textbks. Principals can exempt students in need frm paying fees. Fr secndary schl, the fee is JD 7 (USD 10). The GJ reprted that it spends USD 877 per primary schl students and 1200 USD per secndary schl student. (USAID 2012, MPIC 2013/10) UNICEF reprted that the majrity f children with disabilities are utside the educatin system. In 2009, the GJ reprted that there are 144 centres t serve 26,000 peple with disabilities. (UN Human Rights Cuncil 2013/07/31, UN Human Rights Cuncil 2009/02/09) Impact f the Syrian crisis: During the 2013/2014 schl year, 78,500 Syrian children were enrlled in public schls, leaving an estimated ne-third f Syrian refugee children aged 6 t 17 ut f schl. 47 public schls, primarily in the nrthern gvernrates, have been duble-shifted; 13 f which are at SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 10

11 capacity. In September 2013, 1,400 children were reprted t be n a waiting list. The GJ estimates that 70,000 Syrian refugee children are ut f schl and that 120 schls must be built t accmmdate this caselad at a cst f 135 millin USD. The main bstacle t accessing primary educatin in 2013 was identified as the lack f absrptin capacity f public schls, fllwed by the lack f safe transprtatin and reprts f increasing child labur. (REACH 2013/11, UNHCR 2013/09/18, MPIC 2013/10) WASH Water: Jrdan is ne f the mst water scarce cuntries in the wrld. The key surface water surces are the Jrdan, Yarmuk and Zarqa rivers, with the frmer tw being a surce f tensin with Jrdan s neighburs. The Jrdan and Yarmuk rivers are shared with Israel and Syria, respectively, while the Zarqa river is the nly surce within Jrdan s brders, hwever it is heavily plluted. Accrding t the Wrld Bank, Jrdan withdraws mre water than it has available fr sustainable use. Water management is further exacerbated by the illegal drilling f wells and lack f enfrcement. 54% f its water supply cmes frm grund surces with 37% cming frm surface water surces and the remaining frm treated wastewater. Abut tw-thirds f the water supply is used fr irrigatin, althugh agriculture made up nly 3% f Jrdan s GDP in (University f Oregn, UNICEF/WHO 2010, UNICEF 2013/04, Wrld Bank 2011, GJ 2009/02) The per capita water availability per year was 145 cubic meters in 2008, well belw the water pverty line f 500 cubic meters. The public water supply prvides abut 85 litres per persn per day, althugh many peple als purchase water thrugh the private sectr. Between 1990 and 2011, there was a decrease in thse relying n piped water surces and an increase in thse accessing ther surces, such as purchased water. 90% f the ppulatin in rural areas have access t safe water cmpared t 97% in urban areas. UN agencies have rated Jrdan s cmpliance with WHO guidelines n bacterial and chemical cntaminants very high at 98%, hwever a recent inter-agency assessment in the nrthern gvernrates fund that nly tw-thirds f husehlds had adequate levels chlrinatin and that n chlrine was detected in 10% f assessed husehlds. The ppulatin generally relies n purchased bttled water. The availability f water is seasnally dependent, with many areas dependent n purchased water tankering between June and August. (UNICEF/WHO 2010, UNICEF/WHO 2013/04, Wrld Bank 2011, Inter-agency assessment 2013/10) An inter-agency assessment f the nrthern gvernrates fund that key infrmants reprted that n average, water netwrks were 35 years ld and reqiure significant rehabilitatin. There are majr inefficiencies in the water netwrk with an estimated 50% lst thrugh leakages and illegal cnnectins t the water netwrk. (Inter-agency assessment 2013/10, MPIC/UNDP 2013/11) Sanitatin: Virtually all f Jrdan s ppulatin has access t imprved sanitatin facilities with 100% in urban areas and 99% in rural areas. (UNICEF/WHO 2013/04, Inter-agency assessment 2013/10) Impact f the Syrian crisis: The influx f Syrian refugees has placed a majr stress n Jrdan s scarce water resurces and municipal sanitatin systems. The lcal ppulatin has cmplained that Syrians use mre water as they are nt used t dealing with water scarcity. The establishment f Za atari camp as well as the unpened Azraq camp are situated near aquifers and there is cncern f ptential cntaminatin due t the unregulated cnstructin f WASH facilities in husehlds. (IRIN 2013/07/19, Inter-agency assessment 2013/10) Shelter In 2013, the Husing and Urban Develpment Crpratin estimated that 18% f Jrdan s husing stck was vacant prir t the Syrian crisis. Overall, the husing stck is well-cnstructed with virtually all hmes linked t the pubic water and electricity netwrks. In 2010, it was estimated that 0.27% f the husing stck was made up sub-standard r impermanent material. (MPIC/UNDP 2013/11) In 2010, the average mnthly expenditure fr husing csts were JD 306 (USD 431) but with significant variatin between sme gvernrates and sciecnmic categries. Fr example, the average husing csts in Amman were JD 453 (USD 639) cmpared t JD 163 (USD 230) in Ajlun. Husing csts in urban areas were 45% higher than in rural areas. 70% f husing units are apartments and the remainder are huses. 73% f husing units are inhabited by their wners; 23% are rented and the remaining 6% inhabited by husehlds allwed t live there fr free r in exchange fr wrk. (DS 2011) Abut 370,000 r 18% f registered Palestinians live in ne f the 10 UNRWA camps, sme f which are severely vercrwded. (UNRWA 2013/01) 80% f husehlds rely n gas r kersene heaters fr heating. Almst all husehlds (99.9%) use gas fr cking. (DS 2011, DS 2011) Impact f the Syrian crisis: Over 80% f the Syrian refugee ppulatin are living in hst cmmunities, primarily in rented accmmdatins and with hst families. Althugh Jrdan had a relatively high prprtin f vacant husing befre the crisis, it has largely been rented ut as a result f the refugee influx. An assessment in the nrthern gvernrates fund that 20% f refugees live in sub-standard accmmdatins, such as garages, basements, chicken huses, and tents. There were a number f infrmal tented settlements identified, particularly in Mafraq, Irbid and Balqa gvernrates, hwever the authrities in Mafraq began a crackdwn n such settlements, resulting in the evictin f hundreds f refugees. (ACTED 2013/09/01, UNHCR 2013/01, UNICEF/REACH 2013/12/29) SNAP: Jrdan baseline infrmatin 23 January 2014 Page 11