Jordan and Lebanon: Refugees

(asked on 1st July 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of refugees sheltered by (1) Lebanon, and (2) Jordan, relative to the (a) population size, and (b) economic resources, of those countries; and what plans they have to provide assistance to (i) the UNHCR, and (ii) refugee-hosting countries, to resettle refugees and close refugee camps.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 15th July 2021

The UK recognises the tremendous generosity Lebanon and Jordan have shown in hosting significant numbers of refugees. Lebanon currently hosts 1.7 million refugees, the highest concentration of refugees per capita anywhere in the world. Jordan hosts approximately 667,000 registered Syrian refugees, 90,000 non-Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR, and 2.2 million Palestinian refugees.

Recognising the substantial pressures both host countries face, the UK and international partners have provided significant assistance to the Lebanese and Jordanian governments to help manage this challenge. The UK is one of the leading donors in supporting Lebanon in hosting both Syrian and Palestinian refugee, and has contributed over £704 million in bilateral development assistance to Jordan since 2011. The UK's pledge of at least £205 million to the Syrian crisis in 2021 will ensure the UK continues to support the most vulnerable in Lebanon and Jordan, allowing refugees to live in safety and with dignity until they are able to return home.

On 25th February we completed our commitment to resettle 20,000 refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). We continue to welcome refugees through the global UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), as well as through the Community Sponsorship and Mandate Resettlement Schemes.

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