AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah has called for a more synchronized humanitarian response in Gaza and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to support Palestinian refugees, Arab media reported on Wednesday.
He made the remarks while speaking at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. He said that Jordan is already bearing the heavy costs of the refugee communities while the UN agency has tasked the country with helping them.
He urged the global community not to leave the most vulnerable behind.
The forum was co-organized by Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda, and co-hosted by Switzerland and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
King Abdullah expressing his views said that the plight of refugees and their host countries has been ignored which the international community cannot afford.
Jordan currently hosts about 4 million refugees
He added Jordan currently hosts about 4 million refugees, including approximately 1.4 million Syrians, which is over a third of its 11 million population.
He said refugees are integral part of Jordan’s national identity, saying Jordanians have been feeling that the world is ignoring their problems as refugee hosts.
King Abdullah said the international community’s diminishing focus on refugee issues is alarming.
Drawing attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza he said over 1.9 million Palestinians are facing displacement due to Israel’s relentless bombardment.
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He said that because of refugee influx and climate change Jordan is facing water crisis.
King Abdullah also pointed out to the severe funding shortfall for key agencies like the World Food Programme and UNHCR.
He added Jordan’s response to Syrian refugee crisis has been recognized worldwide but has never been fully funded.
