Quick Impact Projects Help Jordan Manage Influx of Syrian Refugees
RAMTHA & MAFRAQ, JORDAN – The Outreach Services for Iraqi Refugees (OSIR) program, now in its fourth year, strengthens outreach to vulnerable Iraqi refugee families living in Jordan by improving access to services that enable them to improve their quality of life. Community action committees (CACs) in Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid governorates are trained on issues relevant to their refugee community, and they use this information to implement beneficial community service activities.
Since March 2012, the program has expanded to support refugees fleeing from Syria's ongoing conflict in the north of the country. The activities are designed in collaboration with the mayors of Ramtha and Mafraq governorates, who identified their cities' most urgent needs to accommodate the large influx of refugees.
The mayor of Ramtha (left) identified a need for mobile garbage bins and pest control, especially during the upcoming summer months. IRD provided 116 garbage bins and two state-of-the art fogging machines with 150 liters of pesticide.
The mayor of Ramtha identified a need for mobile garbage bins and pest control, especially during the upcoming summer months. IRD provided 116 garbage bins and two state-of-the art fogging machines with 150 liters of pesticide. Based on IRD’s field assessment and in cooperation with the governor, the major issue that was identified in Mafraq was the lack of water tanks in the homes of families hosting Syrian refugees. IRD installed tanks in the houses that were identified as most in need, including homes sheltering 12 to 15 people.
Though small in size, these quick-impact projects were very well received by the community and government representatives. IRD believes these projects help alleviate some of the pressure these northern governorates are experiencing due to the influx of Syrian refugees.
The OSIR project is funded by UNHCR and managed by IRD. It is scheduled to run January–December 2012. Read more about our work with Syrian refugees.
Filed Under: Civil Society, Refugees, Middle East & North Africa, Jordan, Syria