Jordan: Numbers in overcrowded Zaatari camp to triple by year-end

Jordan: Numbers in overcrowded Zaatari camp to triple by year-end

The 1,000 acre Zaatari refugee camp, located in northern Jordan is home to over 140,000 refugees, mostly children. According to a United Nations (U.N.) statement on Friday, the number of people seeking refuge in Jordan has outrun their expectations and they expect to triple by the end of the year.

Marixie Mercado, spokeswoman for U.N. children's agency told reporters on Friday that they are lacking the funds needed for the mass exodus into Jordan and other neighbouring countries.

One Syrian refugee who just arrived at Zaatari camp explained her experience. "I set off yesterday at six o' clock, and I was on the road all this time. I have just arrived. All I can say is that only Allah I rely. It's only Allah I have to rely on."

Despite the help of United Nations High Commission for Refugees, World Food Programme and governments of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Morocco, among others, the conditions in the Zaatari camp are very poor. One Syrian refugee said, "We cannot get tea or coffee or gas. We are begging passing cars to give us some food to feed our children".

Since 2012 the Zaatari camp has housed thousands of Syrian refugees who are escaping their country's current conflict.