Interior Minister Mazin Al-Farrayeh said in statements today that the priority of the Jordanian government is its citizens, not refugees; as Jordan is currently hosting approximately 1.35 million refugees, with 233,000 Syrian children born since 2011, making Jordan the largest refugee-hosting country relative to its population.

Farrayeh added that the refugee situation in Jordan imposed significant financial burdens on the Jordanian government, especially with the lack of international funding for the Jordanian response plan to the prolonged Syrian crisis, noting that the amount of aid provided by Jordan does not meet the desired level. 

Citing a study conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Bank, Farrayeh warned of the potential re-emergence of a new humanitarian crisis for refugees, rising poverty and unemployment rates in refugee camps and beyond, and an increase in child labor. 

He stated that Jordan continues to fulfill its responsibilities, and the continued provision of these services is directly linked to the level of international support provided. 

Syrian refugees continue to suffer from the low level of support provided by donors, with financial support within Jordan's plan reaching only 5.8 percent of the required funding for the first half of this year.

He emphasized that the international community must take responsibility for assisting Jordan in hosting such a large number of refugees.