In observance of the International Human Rights Day, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, visited the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, the largest camp currently hosting Syrian refugees.
Since the Syrian conflict began over 1,000 days ago, more than two million refugees have fled the country, many of these now temporarily residing in neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. As the storm Alexa is bringing torrential rain and snow to the region, temperatures are sometimes pushed below freezing.
“Today, I call for increased support to the needs of youth refugees, in the Zaatari camp and everywhere else in the world,” said Alhendawi.
During his visit, the Envoy inaugurated a women’s clinic run by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the camp. He was also briefed on the activities of young people inside the camp, as well about the work of UN organisations on site, including UNICEF.
Alhendawi at the inauguration of a women’s clinic.
Speaking to UN Radio on site, the Envoy warned of a lost generation of young people in the camps and emphasized the need to ensure they are given access to education and vocational training. Alhendawi insisted on the importance of supporting young people, through communication as well as the coordination of activities and programmes of international organisations, in an effort to empower the youth in the Zaatari camp.
“This is a great challenge, and we cannot talk of a future for Syria without putting the young generation at the top of priorities,” concluded the Envoy.
Alhendawi meeting youth at the Zaatari refugee camp.