A delegation from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) met with local civil society representatives and government officials in Amman, Jordan on March 26-67 to discuss the refugee situation.
The EESC delegation acknowledged the need for international support and detailed measures as the country has developed a comprehensive approach to the massive influx of refugees, mostly fleeing the war in Syria, over the past years.
According to 2017 data from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Jordan hosts the second highest number of refugees (89 per 1000 inhabitants) in the world.
“The way Jordan has opened its borders to welcome refugees, despite the difficult situation, should be an example for many countries, including EU Member States,” said Georges Dassis, the president of the EESC.
During the visit, the EESC members were briefed about Jordan’s labour and civil society organisations and the government in the field of education and vocational training. As part of its fact finding mission, the EU civil society representatives visited a Pharmaceutical Centre of Excellence in the town of Salt offering vocational training programmes.
During their two-day visit, the EESC delegation met with the president of the Economic and Social Council of Jordan, Mustafa Hamarneh, as well as the ministers of planning and international cooperation, social development and labour, as well as the speaker of the senate.
