Clothing Distribution to Syrian Refugees During Eid
CAMP ZA’TARI, JORDAN – The opening of the Za’tari refugee camp in Jordan has provided thousands of Syrian refugees with security and shelter and much to be thankful for. In the spirit of Eid, a day that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, UNHCR asked IRD Jordan to help make this year’s celebration special for refugee families. IRD staff, volunteers, and local community action committee members sorted and dispatched a shipment of children’s clothing for Syrian refugees to wear in time for this important Muslim holiday.
IRD worked with local organization members in Mafraq and UNHCR field staff to transport the clothes to a designated tent inside the camp. Syrian families showed ID cards that stated the number of children they had. By the end of the day, the team had distributed 2,535 items of children’s clothing and 80 newborn kits. All items distributed were entered into the UNHCR Refugee Assistance Information System (RAIS), a database that supports the distribution of non-food items and helps track targeted assistance and prevent fraud and abuse. IRD also distributed 450 bags of assorted clothing items donated by Save the Children, and over 2,000 pairs of Crocs shoes from Caritas International.
Despite their unsettled future and continued hardship, the smiles on families’ faces as they walked away with their new clothes marked a positive change at Camp Za’tari that day and a joyous beginning of the Eid festivities.
Now in its fourth year, the Outreach Services for Iraqi Refugees (OSIR) program strengthens outreach to vulnerable Iraqi refugee families living in Jordan by improving access to services that enable them to improve their quality of life. Since March, the program has expanded to support Syrian refugees residing in the north.
The OSIR program is funded by UNHCR and implemented by IRD. It is scheduled to run through December 2012.
Filed Under: Emergency Response, Refugees, Middle East & North Africa, Jordan, Syria