Jordan

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are more than 450,000 Iraqi refugees in Jordan, many of whom suffer from severe trauma due to the violence they have experienced.  With depleted savings and no legal status, many now live with uncertain futures in overcrowded, neglected apartments in urban centres, unable to obtain legal employment or access vital services.

The International Rescue Committee, working with partners Questscope, the Near East Foundation and CARE, has assisted more than 16,000 Iraqi refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in Amman, Zarqa and Irbid with much-needed cash assistance, winter supplies, counselling and informal education.

The latter provides psychosocial support and prepares children to re-enter the school system.  These ongoing programmes also build the capacity of 15 community-based organisations to reach out to Iraqis and provide essential services.

The IRC is currently preparing to expand programmes and partnerships with Jordanian agencies, including an initiative with the Jordan River Foundation and national authorities to combat gender-based violence.