Population of Zaatari has been increased

Thank you very much for those attended in public session held on 18th of January about Syrian refugees in Jordan and our activities. Huge numbers of Syrian refugees are still coming to Jordan every day and Jordan accepts the biggest number of refugees among its neighboring countries. Jordanian government, International organizations and NGOs all unite together and making our best effort to support people’s life, however it is quite difficult to respond all demands coming from refugees as population increasing dramatically and we need more support.

I felt that I was visiting totally different camp when I wenty back to Zaatari camp after one-month-stay in Japan. Population of Zaatari has been increased around 50,000 in 1 month and expanding day by day (there are 108,000 people staying in the camp as of Feb.12 according to UNHCR). Today, our office in Zaatari is surrounded by many shops, though which was empty when I left there at middle of January.

WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) committees which we established to deal with water related problems among refugees became more active, because number of population has been increased and frequency of the use of those facilities has been also increased accordingly. We established committees in two areas in the camp so far and also have been preparing to spread the system to other areas to mobilize the communities in the camp.

For Syrian children and host community in Jordan

It is not only refugee camps where people fleeing from Syria live in. Nearly 50% of Syrian refugees stay in host community outside camps.　Currently the proportion of Syrian people in total Jordan population amounts to around 5%, so the shortage of public services and property is pressing matter. This affects heavily on schools which accept many Syrian children. Due to increasing a health concern, the rehabilitation of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is urgently required.
To improve the learning environment in terms of water, sanitation and hygiene, JEN has conducted assessments for public schools in 4 directorates.

The school which we recently visited has no water fountain so that children use a tap attached to latrines for washing hands as well as drinking. As the tap is broken, children have to climb up the wall and open the cap for a tank when they need water, which is very dangerous.

However, the headmaster said, ‘we are willing to accept Syrian children who has passion for learning even though our facility is not enough’
The good news is that the school attendance rate of Syrian children in host community is high. To ensure the learning opportunity for Syrian children as well as to assist people in Jordan who do their best to host Syrian people, we are doing our activities in host community.

New Assistance Operation for Syrian Refugees in Jordan Has Started with the Cooperation of UNICEF

In September 2012, JEN started assistance operations for Syrian refugees at Zaatari Refugee Camp, the biggest refugee camp in Jordan.

On January 16, JEN completed clothing distribution operation to 5,000 households in Zaatari Refugee Camp, for which we had repeatedly made adjustments with UNHCR. (Details of the distribution operation are here.) We will continue clothing distribution around the border with Syria.

In parallel with this operation, JEN has thoroughly assessed the sanitation conditions in and around the Camp. Details of assessment in the Camp are here.

Details of the assessment of public primary schools that accept refugee children from Syria living outside the Camp are here.

In order to improve the sanitation conditions surrounding Syrian refugees, we have started an environmental improvement operation in the Camp. The staff members of the neighboring JEN Iraqi Office who have been engaged in hygiene education assistance since 2003 were sent from the Iraqi capital Baghdad and provided training sessions to the Jordanian staff to ensure swift and appropriate implementation of this operation.

From now on, the knowledge learned from the staff of JEN Iraqi Office will be made use of on a day-to-day basis in the operations in Jordan. We would appreciate your cooperation and assistance.

Thank-You Report: Under partnership with UNHCR, JEN distributed clothes from UNIQLO to 5,000 families at Za’atari refugee camp (Part 2)

On January 16, the planned distribution of clothes to 5,000 families in Za’atari refugee camp was completed. (Details of the distribution here)

Soon after the distribution, some girls came over to show their new clothes to JEN staff members.

Thousands of refugees are arriving in Jordan every day, and their number only keeps increasing. The UN and other international agencies have laid emergency procedures to meet their ever-changing needs. JEN is also working in line with this process, focusing on flexibility and speed more than usual. In the clothes distribution area, in which JEN is appointed as focal point, activities will start with high priority on the national border, where Syrian people carrying only their bare necessities enter Jordan. The partnership with UNHCR will continue as assistance expands into the national-boundary areas, which have an even higher degree of urgency. In order to establish a system for distribution, JEN is providing ideas and coordinating with other organizations that participate in support activities in the NFI (non-food item) area.

Before dawn, JEN’s trucks loaded with clothes leave the UN warehouses.  As in all other situations, ensuring the safety of staff members is top priority during transportation.

For the emergency assistance project for Syrian refugees, UNHCR, Fast Retailing and JEN formed a partnership to deliver 280,000 pieces of used UNIQLO clothes. (This was also part of the UNIQLO All-Product Recycling Initiative at Fast Retailing.)

JEN’s assistance for Syrian refugees, which started in September 2012, has been supported by donations from many individuals, corporations and other organizations. Thanks to the support, quick and flexible actions have been enabled. The cooperation of numerous media organizations has given JEN opportunities to share information on the humanitarian crisis and what is happening to the Syrian people—now refugees—with people in far-away Japan.

At this very moment, the wave of people fleeing Syria to Jordan and neighboring countries shows no sign of slowing down. JEN is committed to providing solutions for the challenges in the daily life of Syrian refugees, one by one, as well as sharing information and calling for support.

JEN would like to thank all supporters who helped Syrian refugees through various means. JEN is also looking forward to your continuous support and cooperation.

Thank-You Report: JEN distributed clothes from UNIQLO to 5,000 families at Za’atari refugee camp

On January 16, JEN completed the distribution of clothes to 5,000 families in Za’atari refugee camp, the largest camp in Jordan, which is operated by UNHCR. Initial plans were to carry out the second distribution soon after the first round was completed in January 3. However, the second distribution was postponed due to bad weather causing floods in the camp, as well as heightened stress and security concerns among the residents. Distribution became possible only after two weeks from the first round.  Clothes were safely delivered without major confusions or accidents.

A bag is prepared for each family. Inside are coats and pants, as well as diapers for families with babies.

People have become intensely tired and stressed with hard circumstances in the camp. This has resulted in many incidents, including demonstrations and riots during aid delivery by relief organizations, and some of the distribution activities were forced to stop. At JEN, numerous measures and alternative solutions were discussed to reduce such risks. The target area was divided into 39 sections according to the streets in the camp. JEN members thoroughly discussed with residents of each section on how to distribute the clothes, and made a list for the purpose. Thanks to the participation of residents from the preparation stage, and their cooperation in many phases, the two rounds of distribution were completed in line with the scenario, starting in early morning and finishing within a few hours.

Trucks from UN warehouses arrived at the distribution site before daybreak.

In the boxes are clothes already packed for each family. People can hardly wait for the distribution to start.

Media information: JEN’s supporting activities for Syrian refugees will be featured in the “World Today” program at BS Asahi on January 27. It will appear as an emergency relief program by an NPO supported by Japan Platform. Don’t miss it! Details here

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Project overview here
As a partner of the UN, JEN supports Syrian refugees fleeing to Jordan. The list of partners here:

We are deeply concerned with the refugees’ health conditions worsening from prolonged life in the camps.
Your donation is appreciated to help Syrian refugees facing a harsh winter in Jordan.