Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By far the largest proportion of this non-
Jordanian contingent is Palestinian, and no
country has absorbed more Palestinian
refugees than Jordan.
In contrast to the periodic assimilation of
Palestinians, whose arrival is usually accom-
panied by much sympathy, the influx of Iraqi refugees over the past decade has provoked
local resentment. This is partly due to the superior spending power of Iraqis (they brought
with them an estimated US$500 million), which spiked property prices in and around Am-
man, fuelling a decade of high inflation.
Unlike most Palestinians, almost all (95%) Iraqi refugees have registered their intent to
return home when the security situation improves.
Jordan has repeatedly appealed for international aid to cope.
In 2008 Iraq gave $8 million to the UN refugee agency inten-
ded to help its smaller and poorer neighbour provide education
and health services for its nationals, but this doesn't scratch
the surface of the estimated economic burden on the Jordanian
economy of over $2 billion.
(UNHCR estimate) and an unofficial estimate of
2000 Syrian 'guests'.
Refugee In-
fluxes
»
»1948 Palestinians (founding
of Israel)
»
»1967 Palestinians (Six Day
War)
»
»1991 Palestinians (Gulf
War)
»
»2003 Iraqis (Iraq War)
»
»2011 Syrian 'guests' (Arab
Spring)
