Jordan

Jordan hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations, primarily from Syria, alongside Iraqis, Yemenis, Sudanese, Somalis, and others. Around 80% live in urban areas rather than camps and close to half of the refugee population are children.

The political transition in Syria in December 2024 raised hope for millions of displaced Syrians, including in Jordan, about the prospect of returning home. Since December 2024, thousands of Syrian refugees are returning home, leading to a gradual decline in the refugee population in Jordan. The number of returnees fluctuates every month, influenced by security conditions in Syria, seasonal factors such as holidays and the academic calendar, livelihood opportunities, and other socio-economic considerations.

While UNHCR is not promoting large-scale returns to Syria, UNHCR provides support to Syrian refugees who, being fully informed of the situation in their places of origin or an alternative area of their choice, choose voluntarily to return.

At the same time, given the ongoing uncertainty in Syria, the majority of Syrian refugees hosted by Jordan are not planning on returning in the foreseeable future. For refugees remaining in Jordan, UNHCR continues to provide registration, documentation, and other protection services as well as basic needs assistance.

UNHCR maintains a strong presence in Jordan, operating from four offices: in Amman, Irbid, and in the two refugee camps Azraq and Zaatari. In these camps, UNHCR leads on camp coordination and provides a wide range of services including protection, shelter, energy (electricity), health, and community outreach.

Today, the refugee response in Jordan is facing a critical funding gap. UNHCR is working closely with the government, donors, and partners to sustain essential services and strengthen long-term support for both refugees and host communities as long as they need support inside Jordan.