UN: 3,300 Syrian refugees latest to reach Jordan

Syria’s southern neighbor already hosts more than 160,000 refugees

28 August 2012, 3:06 pm

Edit

A Syrian girl washes up in the Zaatari Refugee camp, in Mafraq, Jordan (photo credit: AP/Mohammad Hannon)

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — The UN refugee agency says at least 3,300 Syrian refugees have fled to Jordan over the past 24 hours.

UNHCR representative to Jordan Andrew Harper says the new arrivals are from the southern flashpoint area of Daraa, just across the frontier.

Residents say Syrian government troops have been attacking the region in a bid to flush out rebels.

Harper said Tuesday that Jordan’s first tent city houses some 21,000 refugees.

Jordan hosts more than 160,000 Syrian refugees — the most of any country in the region. They have fled the civil war at home that activists say has killed at least 20,000 people.

Jordan and the UN have launched a $429 million aid appeal to international donors requesting basic services for the refugees as increasing numbers burden the country’s resources.

Summary