People walk past painting works by refugees at the UNHCR's summer bazaar in Amman, Jordan, on June 20, 2019. On the occasion of the World Refugee Day, the UNHCR urged the international community on Thursday to step up support to Jordan for continued services for refugees. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)
AMMAN, June 20 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the World Refugee Day, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) urged the international community on Thursday to step up support to Jordan for continued services for refugees.
The remarks were made by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at a meeting in Amman with Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, where they discussed burden and challenges facing Jordan due to hosting a large number of refugees.
The UN official's visit to Jordan aims to show support to Jordan and is in recognition of its pioneering role in hosting refugees.
Grandi called for more efficient support to Jordan to reduce pressure on the country and several strategic sectors such as energy, services, education and health.
The UN official voiced support for Jordan and its role, adding that the UN seeks to increase its support to Jordan to enable it overcome the challenges.
"It is not Jordan's responsibility alone toward the refugees who are in Jordan. They are the responsibility of the entire international community and the donor states," said the UN official.
It is time that the donor countries honor their pledges to Jordan, he said.
The Jordanian official highlighted the burden on the country, adding that the country will continue to play its humanitarian role toward the refugees.
The UN official also paid his visit to the summer bazaar, which was held by the UNHCR in Amman for the refugees from different countries to sell their handmade clothes and accessories.
According to official figures from the Jordanian government, there are 1.3 million Syrian refugees in Jordan.
