Jordan’s long-standing commitment to hosting refugees remains a “global human value,” but drastically falling humanitarian funding is pushing hundreds of thousands of displaced families into deeper poverty and could pressure Syrians to return home before conditions are safe, the UNHCR representative in Jordan has warned.

In a wide-ranging interview with Radio al-Balad, Maria Stavropoulo—UNHCR’s Representative in Jordan since July 2024—outlined the scale of the refugee presence in the country, the challenges of declining assistance, and the complex realities surrounding the return of Syrians more than a decade after fleeing civil war.

“Refugees are very poor. Many refugees tell us they cannot meet their daily needs,” Stavropoulo said. “Assistance has decreased over the past couple of years. That means they borrow money, send their children to work, fall behind on rent. It becomes a downward spiral.”

Refugees from 35 Countries, Not Only Syrians

Although public discourse focuses largely on Syrians, Stavropoulo emphasized that Jordan hosts refugees from 35 different nationalities, including Iraqis, Sudanese, Yemenis, and Somalis.

“Jordan has been a very warm host for refugees over decades,” she said. “This hospitality is legendary. Our role is to assist the refugees—and assist Jordan in hosting them.”

About 20 percent of refugees live in Zaatari and Azraq camps, while the remainder are spread across Jordanian towns and rural areas.

170,000 Syrians Have Returned Since Assad’s Fall—But Conditions Still Harsh

Since the fall of the Assad government in December 2024, around 170,000 registered Syrian refugees have returned from Jordan to Syria, according to UNHCR figures.

Reactions to the number vary widely.

“Some people say, ‘Why haven’t all Syrian refugees gone back?’ Others are surprised that so many have returned given the situation in Syria,” Stavropoulo said. “The truth is that refugees want to return one day, but the situation does not allow them to do so.”

She listed the primary obstacles:

• Destroyed or damaged homes
• Lack of schools and hospitals
• Uncleared mines and remnants of war
• Widespread unemployment
• continued insecurity in several regions

UNHCR’s intention surveys show that while most Syrians hope to go home eventually, only 22% believe they can return in the next 12 months.

Jordan currently hosts around 440,000 registered Syrians. Additional unregistered Syrians—those who arrived before the 2011 crisis—also live in the country.

Can Syrians “Test” a Return? Yes, Says UNHCR

Many refugees fear that leaving Jordan—even temporarily—will prevent them from returning if conditions deteriorate. But Stavropoulo clarified a common misconception:

“It is not entirely accurate. Refugees can apply for a re-entry permit before they leave. We explain the regulations so they can make an informed decision.”

Funding “Keeps Us Awake at Night”

Humanitarian agencies across the board, not only UNHCR, face severe, rapid funding declines, Stavropoulo warned.

“This is the challenge that keeps us awake at night,” she said. “Our budget is far from being met. We have had to redesign the operation very quickly and reprioritize. That means some essential needs will simply not be met.”

The health sector is already seeing serious impacts, especially in camps where humanitarian organizations—not the national health system—provide services.

Refugees with non-urgent but necessary medical needs “wait longer and longer” for surgeries, she said. “Many end up going to private providers, borrowing money they cannot afford.”

Yet partnerships with NGOs and charitable groups continue to provide rays of hope. Last week, a mission organized by Islamic Relief USA, with 12 surgeons from the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Origin in North America, performed over 80 surgeries at Jordan University Hospital.

“It was a demonstration of solidarity—from one group of human beings to other human beings who are simply not very lucky,” she said.

Strong Ties with the Jordanian Government

Stavropoulo praised Jordan’s cooperation with UNHCR, noting that the government has enabled innovative policies, including large-scale solar plants that benefit both camps and surrounding communities.

Asked for her message to Jordanians, Stavropoulo offered gratitude—and a plea.

“Thank you for what you have done. Refugees consistently express deep gratitude. Jordanians tell me this is part of their humanity. And indeed, in Jordan we do not see the toxicity or negative sentiments toward refugees that we see in many countries.

“My appeal is: please continue to be models. The world looks to Jordan.”

Appeal to Donors: ‘Stay the Course’

Stavropoulo also urged international donors to continue supporting Jordan and the refugees it hosts.

Going forward, she said, UNHCR and the government are engaged in planning how returns to Syria can take place in a way that “benefits both economies.”

“How do we ensure that the skills refugees acquired in Jordan can be put to the service of Syria when they return?” she asked. “This transition must benefit everyone.”

Working with Syrian Authorities

UNHCR maintains operational engagement with Syria’s new authorities, she said, while acknowledging the immense pressures on communities where refugees and internally displaced people have begun to return.

“My colleagues in Damascus work very closely with the new authorities. The challenges are enormous,” she added.

“We understand donor fatigue—there are many crises and few donors. But we ask them to stay the course. Jordan’s story of hosting refugees has been a good story. We want the last chapter to be a happy ending, not one of frustration.”

While some Syrians may indeed remain displaced for many years—consistent with the global average of 17–18 years—Stavropoulo ended on a cautious note of optimism.

“At least now there is a ray of hope when it comes to Syria,” she said.

Full Q&A  transcript with UNHCR Representative in Jordan, Maria Stavropoulou

Daoud Kuttab: To begin, can you give our audience an overview of the work of UNHCR in Jordan? People know about the Syrians, but you also work with other refugees.

Maria Stavropoulou: UNHCR works globally to protect and assist refugees—people who flee their countries because of war and persecution. In Jordan, we’ve been present for many years. Most people know about the Syrian refugees who have been here for 14 years, but Jordan also hosts refugees from Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and many others—35 nationalities in total.

QUESTION: What kind of support do you provide to these refugees?

ANSWER: First, I have to say that refugees generally feel very welcome in Jordan. Jordan has a long history of hospitality toward refugees. Our role is to assist refugees directly and also support Jordan in hosting them. Around 20% of Syrian refugees live in camps—Zaatari and Azraq—while the majority live in towns and rural areas among host communities.

DK: Syrian refugees came during the civil war. Now that the conflict has ended and the Assad regime has fallen, why aren’t they returning? How many remain here?

ANSWER: Since December 2024—almost exactly a year since the Assad government fell—170,000 registered Syrian refugees have returned from Jordan to Syria. This number brings two reactions: some ask why not all have gone back; others say given conditions in Syria, this is actually a very high number.

Most refugees want to return one day, but conditions don’t allow it yet. Security concerns persist, and the economic situation is extremely difficult. Many have no homes to return to—they’re destroyed or damaged. Schools, hospitals, and jobs are limited. There are still mines and unexploded remnants of war. Only about 22% of refugees say they see themselves returning in the next 12 months.

Today, around 430,000–440,000 registered Syrian refugees remain in Jordan.

QUESTION: What about unregistered Syrians?

ANSWER: Some Syrians lived in Jordan before the crisis; they are not registered with UNHCR. That’s why we distinguish between registered and non-registered Syrians.

QUESTION: What are the conditions for refugees living outside camps, and how does UNHCR’s budget address their needs?

ANSWER: Many refugees are very poor and struggle to meet daily needs. Humanitarian assistance has decreased in recent years, forcing refugees to send children to work, borrow money, delay rent, or take low-paying jobs. Jordan’s economy has been resilient, but there simply aren’t enough jobs for Jordanians and refugees.

We consistently appeal to donors to stay the course. Refugees feel they can’t make ends meet, and some feel they’re being pushed to return to Syria even though the conditions aren’t safe. Jordan, however, has been steadfast in not forcing refugees to return, and we deeply value that.

QUESTION: Can refugees test the situation in Syria—visit and return—before deciding?

ANSWER: Yes. Refugees can apply for a re-entry permit before leaving Jordan. This allows them to go to Syria, assess the situation, and return while maintaining refugee status.

QUESTION: What are the top three challenges keeping you up at night?

ANSWER: The biggest challenge is funding. It’s not only UNHCR; all partners in the refugee response have faced sharp and significant reductions. Our budget is far from being met, and when we must reprioritize, important needs go unmet.

Another major impact is on health services in the camps. Outside camps, refugees use the public health system, but inside camps services are run by humanitarian actors. Funding cuts mean longer waiting times even for essential surgeries. Refugees often resort to private clinics, going into debt.

Still, there are bright spots—many organizations send medical missions to Jordan, performing surgeries for refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. Just last week, Islamic Relief USA supported a mission of 12 surgeons from the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America who performed over 80 surgeries at Jordan University Hospital.

QUESTION: How do you describe your relationship with the Jordanian government?

ANSWER: Very strong. Jordan has allowed innovative policies—for example, large solar plants that benefit both camp and host communities. Now we are working together on how to support refugees who want to return to Syria, ensuring their skills benefit both countries and that this transition is safe and mutually beneficial.

QUESTION: You previously worked in Syria. Are there efforts to coordinate with the new authorities there?

ANSWER: Yes. Our colleagues in Damascus work closely with the authorities. The challenges are major—not only because hundreds of thousands of refugees have returned, but because over a million internally displaced Syrians have also gone home. Communities they return to are under immense strain. We appreciate the efforts of both the Jordanian government and the Jordanian people to support Syria during this transition.

QUESTION: What message do you have for the Jordanian public?

ANSWER: I want to thank all Jordanians. Refugees express deep gratitude for the kindness they experience here. Jordan is remarkable because it has resisted the toxic anti-refugee attitudes seen in other countries. My message is: please continue to uphold these values. Jordan is a model for the world.

QUESTION: And what is your message to donors experiencing fatigue?

ANSWER: We understand donor fatigue—there are many crises and few donors. But my appeal is to stay the course: continue supporting refugees and supporting Jordan, which has hosted them for so many years. Jordan’s refugee story has been a positive one, and we want its final chapter—whenever it comes—to be a happy ending, not one shaped by frustration and unmet needs.

QUESTION: They say the average refugee remains abroad 17 or 18 years. Does this apply to Syrians?

ANSWER: For some, probably yes. But today, at least, there is a ray of hope—conditions in Syria are slowly improving.