With over 100 000 people living in Za’atari camp today, the camp has reached its maximum capacity. As a consequence, on the 30th of April, a new refugee camp has opened in Azraq. According to UNHCR, the camp will host up to an average of 500 refugees a day. ACTED is a key actor, in partnership with UNICEF and WFP, for ensuring water and food distributions in the camp.
A clean and sanitary environment for refugees
In terms of water hygiene and sanitation, ACTED is promoting a sanitary environment for refugees to settle in. To this end, ACTED is distributing 30 litres of water per person per day and is also providing water for the other partner international organisations. ACTED is in charge of testing water cleanliness, collecting dirty water and waste on a daily basis.
Involving and mobilising the refugee communities
A programme for promoting hygiene and distributing nonfood items has been put in place. This programme aims to promote good hygiene practice and optimal use of water, hygiene and sanitation facilities in the camp. ACTED will promote hygiene within communities and homes within the camp. ACTED will organize information sessions and distribute water, hygiene and sanitation kits to the new refugees. A programme for community mobilization will also take place in parallel to the sanitary programme. ACTED, building on lessons learnt from Za’atari camp, aims to involve communities in the maintenance of their new homes.
Welcome meals, dry foods, dates, bread, vouchers and specific food vouchers for refugees will be distributed by ACTED, in partnership with WFP. As soon as the refugees arrive, they will get a new arrival package so that they have enough to eat during the two weeks following their arrival. ACTED will provide welcome meals for the most vulnerable refugees, such as those arriving from Raba’a Al-Sharhan, who did not get ration vouchers. Within two weeks, the general distribution of vouchers will be put in place, including coupons equivalent to 10 Jordanian Dinars and new vouchers for bread valid for 15 days.
Finally, ACTED, in partnership with WFP, will not only be in charge of food distributions but also of ensuring that food distributions run smoothly. Coordination will be based on a database shared between the different partner organisations.
Today, approximately 350 refugees have already arrived in the camp, including families who have travelled from the North of Syria (Dara) to Azraq. Amani, a mother who arrived with her family wishes for ‘my children to be able to carry on going to school, to get more assistance and to be able to live in peace and security in this camp’.