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Challenges for a Changing Middle East. Jordan. - 250,000 Syrian Refugees Approx.100,000 undocumented Zaatari Camp Population of 50,000 Access to education, health care and other social welfare programs
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Jordan • -250,000 Syrian Refugees • Approx.100,000 undocumented • Zaatari Camp • Population of 50,000 • Access to education, health care and other social welfare programs • Cost to maintain Refugee population in 2012: 600 Million; Estimated to reach 800 million in 2013 • Current Unemployment Rate in Jordan: 14% Source: BBC
Lebanon • No permanent camps • Only temporary settlements (Bekaa Valley) • 212,000 Syrian Refugees • Est. 500,000 by the end of 2013 • Placing a burden on the economy as well as exacerbating security concerns • Projected $ 300 million deficit in Lebanon’s 2013 budget • Sectarian balance desrupted • My experiences working and living in Beirut, Lebanon. Source: UNHCR
Syria • Rising inflation • The Syrian Pound now stands at 70 SYP to 1 USD • - Rise in prices of basic amenities: food, cooking oil, gas, etc. • Infrastructure in ruins • Power Outages • Gas Pipelines, Power Stations have been attacked • Syria’s strategic location offers Mediterranean access to neighboring landlocked nations in search of markets for exporting their hydrocarbon products (i.e. Iraq) Source: TIME