Jordan to request USD 2.9 bln at Kuwait III to address impact of Syrian refugees

AMMAN March 23 (KUNA) -- Jordan will request USD 2.9 billion to address the needs and repercussions of Syrian refugees on its lands at international donor talks hosted by Kuwait on March 31, a minister said on Monday.
The funding needs, dubbed the 2015 Jordan Response Plan, were announced by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury at a meeting held to discuss the matter called for by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan, Edward Kallon.
The meeting was also attended by international mission representatives in Jordan, who were made aware of the needs ahead of their nations' attendance of the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria due in Kuwait.
The minister urged attending heads of mission that their nations should hand over their pledges in a transparent manner and outline their contributions according to the plan.
He spoke of the burdens of hosting the growing numbers of Syrian refugees, particularly on the scales of infrastructure and host communities, and said that the international community should shoulder its responsibility in providing additional assistance to Jordan according to this.
On the upcoming Kuwait-held event, he said it would be an opportunity to outline the challenges facing Jordan on the matter, and to request further necessary support.
Some 12.5 million Syrians have been displaced internally and across Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, along with Iraq and Armenia to a lesser degree, due to a conflict in their country that has entered its fifth year.
Kuwait hosted two events intending to raise funds from international donors aimed at alleviating their suffering in 2013 and 2014. These events helped raise pledges worth a total USD 3.9 billion - USD 1.5 billion and USD 2.4 billion respectively.
Kuwait donated a collective USD 800 million at both, including USD 300 million in the first and USD 500 million in the second. (end) ab.hmf.sd