Jordan vital to stability in the Middle East

Jordan is a stable country in an unstable region, contributing to de-escalation and efforts to find solutions to conflicts. The country hosts several million refugees from Syria and Palestine.

During his visit to Jordan, Aukrust met, among others, Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian refugees in the Azraq refugee camp and Palestinian refugees in New Amman Camp.

'It makes a deep impression to meet people who were born as refugees and who have lived as refugees their entire lives. Jordan has provided a safe haven for several million people. Here they are given security, shelter and education', said Mr. Aukrust.

Norway is one of the strongest political and financial supporters of Palestinian and Syrian refugees, as well as of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This year, Norway will contribute NOK 275 million to UNRWA and NOK 630 million in core funding to UNHCR.

'The fact that many donor countries are cutting support to UN organisations such as UNHCR and UNRWA places refugees, Jordan and other host countries in a difficult and unpredictable situation. If this continues, the situation in the Middle East could become even more unstable', said the Minister of International Development.