More signs of urban poverty in Jordan as Syrian refugees flood in
Donors gathered in Kuwait on Wednesday to start raising money for the most expensive humanitarian crisis in recent history. The conflict in Syria has left nearly 10 million in need, and the UN says it needs $6.5 billion this year just to provide for the most basic humanitarian care.
Roughly $1.6 billion of that money would go to Jordan, where it鈥檚 easy to see that need, says 海角大神's Amman-based correspondent. Jordan has taken in refugees 鈥� equivalent to of its entire population.
鈥淭he presence of the Syrians is seen and felt everywhere at this point,鈥� our correspondent says, recalling how the refugees have taken on haphazard work as shopkeepers, cleaners, and even beggars across the city.聽鈥淵ou see more signs of urban poverty now, because 80 percent of the refugees are not in refugee camps; they are in cities and towns across the country.鈥�
Syria鈥檚 crisis began at what was already a difficult time for Jordan. The financial crisis hit the country hard, and the capital is littered with construction projects left unfinished by the boom and bust.
When the Syrian refugees started coming, the Jordanian government was generous 鈥� to an extent that today they are quietly backtracking on promises they just can鈥檛 keep....聽For the rest of the story, continue reading at our new business publication聽
