
Around 12,000 people who have fled the war in Syria are stranded at the Jordanian border, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said Tuesday, urging authorities to allow them into the country.
Warning of "deteriorating humanitarian conditions", the UNHCR appealed to the government to prioritise entry for the most vulnerable, including the elderly, babies under six months of age and pregnant women.
A statement said 11,000 refugees were in Rukban, about eight kilometres (five miles) from the point where the Syrian, Iraqi and Jordanian borders meet. The remaining 1,000 are in Hadalat, about 90 kilometres further west.
The areas are in a rocky desert area, devoid of shade, water or vegetation, the statement said.
"The health situation is deteriorating, with increasing signs of diarrhoea, vomiting and acute malnutrition among children," it added.
"If refugees are not admitted to Jordan and substantial assistance not provided, the lives of refugees will be at risk in the coming winter."
For its part, Human Rights Watch reported that aid workers say they do not have enough resources to assist the growing numbers of people at the border, and that unless Jordan allows them to move to transit sites, 20,000 people will be stuck in the border area by the end of the year.
The UNHCR noted Jordan's "tremendous contribution" in hosting more than 630,000 refugees. It also highlighted the heavy strain that has put on the country's infrastructure and economy, as well as security concerns.
Amman says the actual number is 1.4 million, equivalent to 20 percent of the small kingdom's population.
Source: AFP
GMT 12:28 2018 Friday ,31 August
Algeria, reaffirm support to Sahrawi and Palestinian peoplesGMT 11:54 2018 Friday ,31 August
Second mine explodes in Mghilla 'Four soldiers wounded'GMT 11:30 2018 Friday ,31 August
UNSMIL condemns escalation of Violence in Great Tripoli areaGMT 11:15 2018 Friday ,31 August
Morocco, U.S Committed to Fighting Terrorism 'US Official'GMT 16:27 2018 Thursday ,30 August
PPS Considers Withdrawing from Ruling Coalition amid Tension with PJDGMT 15:34 2018 Thursday ,30 August
3 Bunkers, 4 homemade bombs discovered, destroyed in SkikdaGMT 15:10 2018 Thursday ,30 August
AU's Decision to Support UN-led Process, 'Big Win" for MoroccoGMT 12:47 2018 Thursday ,30 August
Cuba backed Polisario by providing military aid to Algeria
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor