NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) Fax : +32-2-707.2677 eadrcc@hq.nato.int OTAN Centre Euro-Atlantique de coordination des réactions en cas de catastrophe (EADRCC) Télécopie : +32-2-707.2677 eadrcc@hq.nato.int EADRCC Situation Report Nº14 SYRIAN REFUGEES in JORDAN (latest update in BOLD) Message Nº. : Dtg : 10 February 2013, 15:15 UTC From: : Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre To : Points of Contact for International Disaster Response in NATO and partner Countries Precedence : Priority Originator : Duty Officer Tel: +32-2-707.2670 Approved by : Head EADRCC Tel: +32-2-707.2673 Reference : OPS(EADRCC)(2012)0157 This report consists of : - 17 - pages 1. In accordance with the procedures at reference, EADRCC has received on 06 September 2012, a request for assistance from Jordan dated 06 September 2012 13:08 UTC. The following information was provided. 2. General Situation: Type of the Disaster Date and Time the Disaster occurred Location of the Disaster : Flow of Syrian refugees into Jordan : During the last months : Jordan side of the Syrian border 3. Assessment of the situation: 3.1. According to reports of the Government of Jordan (GOJ) the number of refugees who fled into Jordan since the beginning of the crisis March 2011 reached about 600.000 people, the majority are scattered in the North of the Kingdom. The Jordanian Ministry of Interior announces, that the highest concentration is in the Governorate of Mafraq (196.065 people), followed by Amman (147.726 people) and Irbid (133.125 people) causing pressure on local services and infrastructure. 3.2. According to UNHCR statistics, 596.800 Syrian citizens are registered as refugees in Jordan. The current situation in Syria is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, and it is expected that the costs stemming from hosting Syrian refugees in Jordan will continue to rise. 3.3. Education. The Government of Jordan has granted access to free primary and secondary education to all Syrian refugee children, despite existing pressures on the education system, such as overcrowding in high population density areas and concerns about declining quality. -1-
As of 22 December 2013, more than 105,000 refugee children have enrolled in public schools (85493 in host communities, 20,776 in camps and a further 3,350 placed on waiting lists). In order to respond to the increased demand for education, second shifts were introduced in 78 schools, over 7000 additional teachers hired (2,312 teachers specifically for double shifted and camp schools), 3 new schools built in refugee camps and additional prefab classrooms installed in 28 schools. Increased student numbers and the introduction of double shifts places greater strain on the educational infrastructure, particularly sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools, increasing maintenance demands and shortening the life-span of school furniture. There are an estimated 30,000 children out of school who are eligible for formal education and 60,000 out-of-school children who are not eligible for formal education. As refugee numbers rise, so too will the demand for access to schools and alternative education programmes for those not enrolled in the formal system. 3.4. Health. About 80% of Syrian refugees live in non-camp settings in rural and urban areas. Women, children and the elderly constitute a high percentage. The full impact of the influx of such large numbers of Syrian refugees is not yet known. However, a notable increase in the infectious diseases incidence rate in Jordan such as TB, measles, hepatitis A, cutaneous lieshrnaniasis respiratory tract infection, diarrhea and other notifiable diseases have been reported. The potential reappearance of polio in Jordan also presents a risk as some polio cases have been detected in Syria. 12% of Syrian refugees suffer from diabetes mellitus, 30% suffer of hypertension and a growing number of Syrians have needed kidney dialysis. Furthermore, war-related health conditions such as traumas, amputations, bullet wounds, and mental disorders were also registered. The GOJ is not only faced with the challenge of meeting the financial gap required to cover the healthcare costs of Syrian refugees, but also with responding to the urgent health care needs of Jordanian host communities. In sum, the influx of Syrian refugees places significant additional pressure on an already under-resourced healthcare delivery system of Jordanian Ministry of Health. 3.5. Municipalities. The Syrian crisis has heightened the pressure on the municipalities to meet increasing demand with the same level of available resources. UNHCR figures indicate that 80% of Syrian refugees have settled in non-camp settings in urban and rural areas. Across Jordan's 12 governorates, 129 thousand (22.5%) are living in lrbid, 187 thousand (32.6%) in Mafraq, 143 thousand (24.9%) in Amman, 50 thousand (8.7%) in Zarqa and 65 thousand (11.4%) are spread across the rest of the country. All municipalities in lrbid and Mafraq Governorates have witnessed an increase in population as a result of the crisis, while some have experienced an unsustainable population surge (Mafraq 128%; Ramtha 47% and Al-Serhan 45%). The number of Syrian refugees residing outside the refugee camps in Jordanian communities adds additional pressure to municipalities already struggling to provide essential services. Solid Waste Management (SWM) is a particular concern; the influx of refugees means in principle an increase of an estimated 340 tons of waste to dispose of daily. There are other major resilience challenges related to the full optimization of provisions of the Law of Municipalities (i.e. the role of Joint -2-
Service Councils in the latter stages of the SWNI cycle - handling, volume reduction and treatment and landfilling). Tensions between host communities and refugees are palpable in the Northern Governorates, where socio-economic problems created by the Syrian refugee influx are the most acute, exacerbating already existing feelings of marginalization and vulnerabilities among Jordanians. This is threatening the social contract between state and society. 3.6. Livelihoods and Employment. The influx of Syrian refugees is undeniably affecting the labour market and livelihood opportunities. The impact on labour supply is especially high in the main host governorates (Amman, Mafraq, lrbid and Zarqa) where Syrians are estimated to constitute around 8.4% of the total potential active labour force and as much as one-third of all the unemployed. The unemployment rate in the four governorates increased from 12.2% to 12.4% between 2010 and 2012, while on a national level, the unemployment rate rose from 12.7% to 13.1% in the same period. Evidence suggests that the main impact of the increasing number of the Syrian workers in the labour market has been to put significant downward pressure on wages, which has led to an enlarged informal economy. Several surveys and assessments indicate that male Syrian refugees are being employed in specific localities, with concentrations in informal agriculture, construction, food services and retail trade; suggesting that, to an extent, Syrian refugees have displaced Jordanian labour. The negative impact of the Syrian crisis on the agricultural sector creates challenges for Jordanian livelihoods, especially in rural areas. There are increased unfettered movements of livestock and crops across borders from Syria into Jordan. This represents a major concern because Syrian livestock and crops have not been vaccinated or treated against trans-boundary animal and crop diseases for at least 24 months. This can lead to serious loses of productive assets for Jordanian farmers, further undermining their capacity to produce, which significantly reduces their income and places their food and nutritional security at risk. This problem is exacerbated by the insufficient resources of the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture to control such threats. As a result the Jordanian agricultural sector, which already experiences low levels of productivity by global standards and has been struggling to cope with the challenges of climate change, is exposed to increased risk. Finally, the increasing risk of land degradation in the Badia rangelands of Mafraq Governorate further threatens people's livelihoods. Because nomadic and transhumant herds are not able to seasonally migrate to Syria, they stay in the Badia for longer periods and overgraze the fragile pastures. The limited water resources of the Badia are also at serious risk as a result of increasing demands from refugees and livestock populations. 3.7. Social Protection. The majority of Syrian refugees are constituted of vulnerable groups, including women and children. The Jordanian Family Protection Department (FPD), which addresses violence, reported a ratio of one social worker for 400 cases illustrating the low level of human resources available. Syrian cases represented 7% -3-
of the caseload of the FPD so far in 2013, demanding a range of resources, including placing Syrian women and children in protective shelters. There is also a general lack of mental health and psychosocial services available to families that are referred to FPD. Juvenile services have also been demanding extra resources from already stretched social workers and the juvenile system. The economic strain related to the crisis is increasing the numbers of children engaged in child labour for both Jordanian and Syrian children. The Ministry of Social Development (MOSD) of Jordan expects an increase in the number of Syrian children requiring care either through fostering or institutional care increasing the case load on MOSD overtaxed resources. And at the same time, resources for other vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled are already stretched and will be impacted by the increased caseload. 3.8. Housing. The Syrian crisis is unfolding amidst a chronic shortage of affordable housing in Jordan. According to figures of Jordanian Ministry of Interior, 600 thousand Syrians in Jordan need housing, which translates into approximately 120 thousand units. The Jordanian housing sector, meanwhile, has produced an annual average of 28,600 units during the period 2004-2011 against a total demand of 32,000 units. Moreover, supply is not well aligned with demand, with an oversupply at the middle and upper end of the market and some 18% of the housing stock remaining unoccupied. As a result, rental has been the main source of affordable housing or almost half of the poorest 10% of Jordan's population. The immediate humanitarian response has focused on camp settings with some support extended to host communities. As November 2013, UNHCR estimated that some 420 thousand refugees live outside camps. Za atari Camp has been upgraded to an infrastructure and basic services camp capable of hosting some 110 thousand people. A new Azraq camp has also been developed, capable of hosting 52,000 people. For host families, 1,326 unfinished homes have been completed and cash support for rent has been provided for highly vulnerable households. For the second half of 2013, 61% of the targeted population was reached with shelter support, mainly through camps. An increased focus on host communities is foreseen in the 2014 Jordan Response Plan shelter strategy. In sum, the Syrian crisis has exacerbated the shortage of affordable housing in Jordan, raising rental prices, increasing social tension, straining urban infrastructure and services and contributing to unsustainable settlement growth. 3.9. Water and Sanitation. With the influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan, the gap between available water and demand has widened significantly. The quantity supplied per capita has recently decreased in some cases even to 30 Iiters per day (I/p/d) while standard of Jordanian Water Authority is 100 I/p/d. The frequency of water supplied to consumers has reduced from once per week to once per month in some of the northern governorates (the largest refugee camp, Za atari, with a population exceeding 100 thousand refugees is also located in the north). In addition, there are also concerns on the potential pollution of the aquifer due to increased quantities of unregulated wastewater discharge. The main risk is the unsafe disposal of excreta, as the high cost of emptying septic tanks by trucks is prompting house owners to dispose of the effluent illegally. -4-
3.10. Energy. Jordan has been facing a convergence of supply disruptions of energy imports from Egypt, alongside rising local demands in Jordan owing to a large influx of Syrian refugees and forced migrants. While not a primary driver of systemic energy sector challenges in Jordan, the Syrian crisis is a significant exacerbating factor. In 2013, this cost could reach over 851.5 million USD, with government estimating further needs of 152.4 million USD to further expand public services in 2013 to the growing Syrian population. Of this latter figure, 72% would be needed for energy services, including 93.6 million USD for electricity and 16.6 million USD for household cooking gas. The Government foresees additional power demand in cities and towns as a result of the Syrian crisis to be approximately 225MW, with estimated capital investment to meet this additional demand estimated at 337.5 million USD. Separate to this are needs for bringing power to the Za atari Camp including new power needs of 46MW costing 14 million USD in capital costs and 5.6million USD per month in operational costs. With regard to expanding access to water in the Za atari Camp, the Government: also estimate demand in power of 500 kilowatt needed to power two planned wells for the camp, which sits over the country's largest aquifer. Within this process, renewable energy options could be explored based on initial successes by the donor community in supporting solar lighting in Za atari Camp and solar energy in Azraq Camp. The convergence of rising energy consumption trends alongside decreasing security of energy supply is impacting public budgets, fiscal space for broader development goals, and ability to ensure energy services. With the Syria Crisis exacerbating this situation, this plan proposes sustainable energy solutions at both short-term and medium-term levels with the goal of accelerating and scaling-up energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. With Syria crisis impacts likely to remain uncertain for some time, additional pressures on energy systems can be expected in coming years. Acceleration of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions can be of great benefit in this regard, helping to reduce the social and economic risks of growing energy insecurity. 4. National resources available for disaster response and assistance required: 4.1. As Syrian refugees in urban areas are granted access to public services (including health, education, shelter, water and electricity), the pressure on scarce national resources and subsidized services and items has dramatically increased, and the Jordanian Government and the families hosting vulnerable Syrians are facing numerous challenges as the unrest in Syria continues. Consequently, it is essential to support Jordan s efforts to continue hosting Syrian refugees and providing them with basic services. 4.2. The following requirements for international assistance and a list of Northern Governorates School needs have been identified and are shown in Attachment 1 at the end of this message. 4.3. According to administration reports of Jordan Government the required needs for Water Supply, Education, Health, Electricity and New Camp Administration are mentioned in Attachment 2. -5-
4.4. The list of priority requirements in the Irbid and Mafraq Municipalities are shown in Attachment 3. 5. Assistance provided by Allied and partner nations and International organisations: 5.1. Algeria sent 10 tons of food (frying oil, tea, light-fat milk, rice, sugar). 5.2. Austria has sent 20 tent heaters, 2000 blankets to Jordan Za`atari camp through EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Additionally assistance with 1.000 kitchen sets and 1.000 Hygiene kits was delivered on 15 October 2012. 5.3. Bahrain sent 500 prefabricated units. 5.4. In the beginning of March 2013 Belgium donated 9,000,000 Euros of humanitarian aid to the Syrian refugees in the region, 1,000,000 Euros of which was sent to Jordan Za`atari camp. 5.5. Bulgaria made a contribution of 102.250 Euros through UNHCR towards the Syria Regional Response Plan. 5.6. Croatia has offered 17,500 Euros of the humanitarian aid in form of purchasing vaccines to refugees in Za`atari Camp. 5.7. Egypt sent 40 caravans, 200 mattresses, 40 heaters and 200 blankets to Syrian refugees in Jordan. 5.8. France sent medical support deploying a military field hospital in camp area. 5.9. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 1 has made an offer for assistance of 1.000 blankets to Syrian refugees in Jordan. 5.10. Greece donated 50.000 Euros, in order to contribute to the urgent educational needs of the Syrian refugees in the Za`atari camp. This amount will be given to the UNICEF mission through the Greek Embassy in Amman. 5.11. Ireland donated 2,450,000 Euros to humanitarian organisations and countries in the region, of which 1,150,000 Euros were donated directly to Jordan. Additionally in February 2013 Ireland donated 4,700,000 Euros to humanitarian organisations and countries in the region, of which 1,000,000 Euros were donated directly to Jordan through UNHCR. 5.12. Italy sent assistance with 8 electricity generators, 2000 blankets, 100 tents, 1 field hospital, 2 medical kits, 4 caravans (management, bath and showers, medical and para medical staff accommodation) and other accessories for the use of Jordanian/ Italian Hospital in Za`atari camp. 5.13. Japan - JICA sent 50 tents and 3.900 blankets to Jordan Za`atari camp. 5.14. Kazakhstan sent 90 prefabricated units to Jordan Za`atari camp. 5.15. Kuwait provided 6 convoys of humanitarian assistance through the Jordanian Red Crescent and 1.000 caravans for refugees in Za`atari camp. 1 Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name. -6-
5.16. Luxembourg has sent 5 fully equipped ambulances to Jordan through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, 3 in October 2012 for the Za`atari camp consigned to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization and 2 in September 2013 for the Zarqa camp consigned to the Jordan Health Aid Society. In 2012 and 2013, Luxembourg made cash contributions of 7,6 million Euros (UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, Syria Response Fund, ICRC, IFRC, NGOs) for assistance to vulnerable populations in Syria and in neighbouring countries, including in Jordan. 5.17. Morocco delivered 1 military field hospital to Za`atari camp. 5.18. The Republic of Korea sent 400 caravans for refugees in Za`atari camp. 5.19. Russia sent three transportable power station (120 KW), 4500 blankets, 1500 sets of aluminum tableware, 120 field folding furniture sets, 750 boxes of baby food, 1200 boxes of Tinned fish food, 3000 boxes of tinned beef food, 15 tons of sugar and 5 tons of rice. 5.20. On 3 October 2012 Norway shipped 5.000 blankets to Jordan through EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In Za`atari camp the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has begun construction of porches to complement and augment individual tents. All households in Za`atari camp will receive a gas heater stored on the porch, in order to limit fire hazards. Winterization kits to be distributed include quilts, thermal blankets and winter clothing. 5.21. Caritas Poland and Caritas Jordan from 01 of July to 31 of December 2012 are implementing a project: Promotion of education and social integration of Syrian Refugee s children in Jordan. The project is implemented in 2 cities: Zarqa and Marfaq and the main goal is to increase school adaptation and social integration of Syrian Refugee s children in Jordan and improving professional qualifications necessary in adult life. The project aims at 200 children at age of 6 15 and 150 children of 16 40 age, providing them informal education and workshops. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-financed this project with the amount of 796 048 PLN (app. 199,020 EUROS). In additional Poland donated 500.000 PLN (app. 125.000 EUROS) to UNCHR. 5.22. Qatar sent blankets, tents, food, winter clothes in Za`atari camp through the Jordanian Red Crescent. 5.23. The Slovak Republic has delivered 100 blankets, 5.000 dining containers, 10.000 plastic spoons, 8.000 plastic plates, 10.000 plastic cups, 19 latrines, 1 washroom, 8 showers, 52 thermos food or drink containers (25 and 12 litters) and 144 thermos (5 litters) to Jordan Za`atari camp. 5.24. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) donated 500 tents and 1285000 CHF (or 1157000 USD) for the rehabilitation of 11 public schools in northern Jordan where Syrian refugee-children are enrolled. 5.25. UK DIFD sent to Jordan an assistance with 3.000 winterization kits, cash assistance to rent purposes for 1.000 families and 400 clothes for refugee families. -7-
5.26. United Arab Emirates has sent 1 medical field hospital with the Royal medical services and 100 prefabricated houses. Additionally UAE sponsored 7 USD million to the financing the establishment cost of Muraijeeb Al Fhood Camp. 5.27. List of financial support donated to Jordan by Nations and International Organizations: DONOR Austria Azerbaijan Bahrain Belgium Bulgaria Canada Czech Republic Estonia France Germany Greece Iraq Ireland Italy Japan Kuwait Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Republic of Korea Poland Romania Russian Federation Spain Sweden Switzerland UAE United Kingdom USA US (USAID) European Commission UNICEF 6. Points of Entry / Delivery: Financial support 3,714 USD million 0,050 USD million 2,000 USD million 1,357 USD million 0,102.5 EUROS million 13,230 USD million 0,150 USD million 0,064 USD million 1,470 USD million 46,644 USD million 0,050 EUROS million 10,000 EUROS million 8,250 EUROS million 0,900 USD million 30,450 USD million 53,000 USD million 3,474 EUROS million 0,783 USD million 0,250 USD million 1,000 USD million 0,157 EUROS million 0,130 USD million 3,500 USD million 1,338 USD million 2,700 USD million 1,011 USD million 7,000 USD million 22,400 USD million 84,535 USD million 2,500 USD million 34,830 USD million 1,900 USD million 6.1. Queen Alia International Airport, for commercial cargo. 6.2. Marka Airport, for Charter flights. 7. The Operational Point of Contact in Jordan is as follows: Name : Organization: Saleh KHARABSHEH Ministry of Planning of Jordan -8-
Phone: + 96 26 4634511 E-mail: saleh.kharabsheh@mop.gov.jo 8. Response co-ordination. 8.1. UN OCHA and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator remain in the lead of the overall coordination of the response to the Syria crisis. For the coordination of the response to refugees, UNHCR has appointed a Regional Refugee Coordinator. 8.2. With a view to providing a coordinated response to the stricken nation s requirements, nations in a position to meet these demands, in full or in part, are invited to coordinate closely with UN OCHA and UNHCR and to reply to the Ministry of Planning of Jordan with an information copy to EADRCC, by any of the communication means listed above and below. 8.3. The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre can be reached in the following ways: Telephone: +32-2-707.2670 Fax : +32-2-707.2677 Mobile Phone: +32-475-829.071 e-mail: Eadrcc@hq.nato.int Internet http://www.nato.int/eadrcc/home.htm -9-
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