05/24/2013 11:00 GMT

by Rana Moussaoui

ZAATARI CAMP, Jordan, May 24, 2013 (AFP) - International efforts to organise a Syria peace conference are at fever pitch, but in Jordan's Zaatari camp, Syrian refugees are more concerned with the misery of their daily lives than diplomatic manoeuvring.

"To be honest, we're fed up with these conferences, there have been many... without results. We want a radical solution," said Saleh, a former labourer from Syria's southern Daraa province.

Until May 17, roughly 1,600 refugees arrived every day in Zaatari, Jordan’s largest refugee camp. In recent days the number has fallen to close to zero. This raises questions about why refugees are not able to cross the border.

A celebration was held yesterday to highlight the achievements of UNRWA’s Japanese-funded University Scholarship Programme for Palestine refugee students.

Access to higher education is limited for many Palestine refugees because of their difficult socio-economic situation, hampering employment opportunities in an increasingly competitive job market.

Australia is giving international relief agencies an extra $12 million to help them respond to the humanitarian crisis unfolding as thousands more flee the fighting in Syria.

Since the fighting began, more than 1.5 million people have fled Syria. By the end of the year, these numbers could reach 3.6 million. Every day more than 5,000 Syrians cross into the neighbouring countries of Lebanon and Jordan.

Water, sanitation, education and housing services are being severely strained. Three quarters of those fleeing the conflict into Lebanon and Jordan are women and children.

Assistance to the Affected in Syrian Conflict - SYR 121 (revision 4)

Appeal Target: US$ 9,858,485
Funds Received: US$ 6,042,414
Balance Requested: US$ 3,816,071

Geneva, 23 May 2012

Dear Colleagues,

Inside:

• Tiny hopes for Syria
• As summer approaches, water and sanitation pose new challenges
• Schools across Jordan offer Sanctuary for Syrian child refugees
• Lighting up candles for children in the middle of darkness
• Update on Refugees by numbers
• Syrian children with disabilities resilient amid conflict
• Briefs from the field

By Farah Sayegh, Save the Children, Jordan

Having barely held a camera back at home in Syria, Rami has been producing impressive photographs after regularly attending Save the Children’s psychosocial support classes. His photos have even been showcased at an exhibition in Amman, Jordan.

Here, Rami has been able to meet children his age who came from the same village.

He has been attending our photography classes every week since the project began in February, completing assignments with intense dedication and making impressive progress.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Population movement – refugee numbers in the region continue to increase. Since May 1, there were more than 76,000 new refugees; at least 75% of those registered are women and children.

• Operational – Jordanian Ministry of Health and Interior Ministries agreed to relocation of new arrivals registration to Raba Sahan; health screening including immunization will occur here thus enhancing vaccination activities for new arrivals. In Lebanon, coordination skills training sessions was organized by UNHCR and OCHA on May 9.

This figure, which includes 1.5 million who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, represents about 38 per cent of the country’s population.