Project News

Various development partners are supporting Syrian refugees in the Project target areas. Among them, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays an important role as a coordinator. The UNHCR has opened branch offices in both Irbid and Mafraq governorates since these governorates have received a massive number of Syrian refugees. Each office holds monthly coordination meetings with organizations working in the areas to support the refugees.

The JICA Project team was invited to join the monthly coordination meetings of each office and given the opportunity to introduce the project outline to the participants. In the Irbid meeting, the Project team received many questions about health promotion activities. After deciding which health centers will be the Focus Village Health Centers (VHC), the Project will consider how to collaborate with other community organizations which are working in the communities. In Mafraq, the team found that Emirate Hospital, built and operated by contributions of the United Arab Emirates plays an important role as a community health service provider. It is also worth noting the importance of understanding the referral mechanism from VHCs to Primary Health Centers, and to hospitals, especially in remote-desert areas, known as Badia in Mafraq. Furthermore, the Project team gained insight into issues of Syrian refugees, such as refugees who live in tents tend to frequently move to other areas and their hygienic conditions are not at a satisfactory level. The Project team recognized that it is important to continuously share information and ideas with such organizations who are working locally.

UNHCR Irbid Branch Meeting

UNHCR Mafraq Branch Meeting