Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Mary Kawar, met with Commissioner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Mr. Filippo Grandi, on Tuesday to discuss the burdens Jordan is facing, caused by hosting Syrian refugees in the Kingdom, the Prime Ministry reported.

The two sides discussed the Jordanian response plan for the years 2018-2020, which was launched by the Jordanian Government in a participatory and intensive effort between representatives of all relevant ministries and institutions, including organizations of the United Nations, donor states and non-governmental organizations, working together to find funding for the plan that is aimed at alleviating the burden of hosting Syrian refugees on host communities, and the provision of adequate grants and concessional funding to meet the pressing financing needs of the Jordan budget over the next three years.

Kawar called on the international community to help finance the Jordanian response plan. She explained that the cumulative and growing burdens of the Syrian crisis have affected all aspects of Jordanian society and greatly exceeded its limited capacities and resources, as well as having threatened the development and national gains made by Jordan over the past few decades.

Kawar reviewed the economic challenges facing the Kingdom and the government's reform programs, stressing that the government is working to pursue comprehensive reform paths, strengthen Jordan's resilience and turn challenges into opportunities by maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability.

On his part, Grandi praised Jordan's active role in dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis. However, he expressed concern for the burden Jordan is carrying due to the crisis and stressed the need for the international community’s support for the Kingdom at this time.