MIGRASYL

News on migration and asylum from around the region - Nouvelles de la région sur les questions de migration et d'asile

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

[Jordan] IRIN - Tempers flare as heavy rain pounds camp


[Picture from same article - copyright irinnews.org, 8/01/2013]

08.01.2013. Two days of unusually heavy rainfall in Jordan's northern desert have increased tensions in its largest camp for Syrian refugees and forced 300 of them to leave their tents for safer ground, say aid workers, a government official and camp residents.

The rain comes amid one of the largest influxes of refugees into Jordan since the Syrian conflict began nearly two years ago. In the last eight days, 10,183 Syrians fled to Jordan, according to Anmar Alhmoud, rapporteur of the Prime Ministry's higher steering committee for Syrian affairs in Jordan.

"Our feet are sinking in mud," said 37-year-old Mohammad Amer, a resident of Za'atari refugee camp in the northern town of Mafraq. "You can see people trying to rebuild their tents after floods and wind. It was terrifying for people last night. Strong wind was blowing and tents were destroyed. Some 80 families were outside their tents late at night."

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