More than 40% of Syrian refugees in Jordan are children below the age of 11 (source: UNHCR). Photo: WHO16 June 2013 – Zeina* and her twin sister fled Syria to Jordan almost five months ago with their six children, all under the age of 11. “In Dar’aa, my home town, there was nothing. Our hospitals and health centres were almost all closed down. Doctors would come out to see people, but this was expensive, and I heard stories of doctors being kidnapped on their rounds,” she said. Despite the harsh living conditions in Al Zaatari camp, Zeina knows her children’s health comes first. “I don’t like it, but at least we can sleep at night. It takes us an hour to get from our tent to the immunization caravan, but I know it’s for the children’s good. They have begun to smile again since we left Syria. At least they get some medical assistance here.”

Read the full story

As the number of displaced Syrians in Jordan passes the 275 000 mark, vital supplies and resources are being stretched to full capacity.