how to help the syrian refugees in jordan

Yesterday Jaber and I paid a visit to the northern city of Al-Ramtha to meet by ourselves some of the Syrian refugees in Jordan . These visits were unplanned and the refugees were not informed of our arrival, so we can inspect their situation as is.

The numbers of the Syrian families in the town of  Al-Turra “الطرة" is approximately 8 families, Each family consists of 3 to 13 members

The numbers of the Syrian families in the town of Amrawa "عمراوة” is 6 families, we did not have enough time to visit those.

More families are spread all over other Al-Ramtha Governorate's villages, and we were told of more families taking refuge in the city of Al-Mafraq .

After the interview it was obvious that all the families have the same needs, and we were able to divide them into 4-Axis plan:

Axis 1 which is the urgent:

ñ     Blankets : They actually need blankets, It is freezing cold in their houses and suffering a shortage of the number of blankets. This shouldn't be hard to provide since each of us probably has 10 extra unused blankets stored in the house.

ñ     Clothes : most of those families took refuge in Jordan with almost nothing. One of the families actually had no clothes but the ones they were wearing when they escaped, and were helped by the locals with what they can. All sizes and ages are appreciated, This as well shouldn’t be a problem for anyone since everyone probably owns a couple of pants and shirts that got out of fashion , or just don't fit anymore .

ñ     Heaters “ صوبات " : At this time of the year, the weather in the northern and eastern parts of Jordan is freezing cold, in addition to that, the poor conditions of the rented rooms and the lack of proper clothes and blankets. This is probably the number one priority where we need your support from everyone, It is cold and the kids keep getting sick!

Axis 2 which is the Basic life needs :

ñ     Food : “we are not hungry” this was the main point the refugees highlighted, the people in the villages are sharing all that they can with them, and the refugees made sure to express their gratitude to them by saying that, but still what is a house without food in it. So rice, sugar,oil, tea, and canned food مؤنة بيت is appreciated and it also wouldn’t be a problem, instead of buying 5 kg of rice while you are shopping by some extra kgs and donate, I am pretty sure it won't be a burden.

ñ     Milk : most of the families are feeding normal powedered milk to their babies which is completely unhealthy for newborns, but all kinds of powdered milk is welcomed , since some of the kids are malnourished.

ñ     diapers

Axis 3 which is the Money :

ñ     Those families are renting houses or semi-houses and the average rent is 80JDS in addition to the electricity and water bills it adds up to 100JDS

ñ     They need to buy stuff like Kerosine and Gaz cylinders. Some families did have heaters at home but didn't have the money to buy kerosine!

ñ     After all they are families and they are entitled to have some change in their pockets, it is inhuman for a man not to be able to give his kid money to buy candy like any other kid.

Axis 4 which is the education/health :

ñ     the families are not insured and most of them can't afford to visit a doctor, the neighbors are helping as much as they can, but then again they as well need help to start with .

ñ     The children were not able to enroll in public nor private schools due to some bureaucratic obstacles in Jordan, any one with background on how the system works or knows a way to help would be appreciated!

For more information contact :

Mahmoud M. Homsi    Mmhomsi06@med.just.edu.jo

Jaber Jaber    jaber987@gmail.com