Approximately 30,000 Syrians are currently living in the Za'atri refugee camp in northern Jordan, which opened in early August. Some days there are thousands of new arrivals, though heightened violence on the Syrian side of the border has decreased numbers in September.
People are resilient, but it is a desperate situation - it is incredibly hot and dusty, access to medical facilities is limited, and there have been cases of infectious disease like hepatitis. How will UNHCR and its partner organizations deal with the rain and cold in the wintertime?
The number of refugees is sure to rise toward the maximum capacity of 80,000. Increased and continued support from the US government is an essential act of goodwill and a powerful message for future diplomatic relations.