US to aid displaced Syrians in Jordan

The United States government is set to provide Jordan with an additional $200 million US dollars to help provide for Syrian refugees. The announcement was made Friday after US president Barack Obama met with King Abdullah of Jordan. The two leaders met as part of President Obama’s three-day visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

King Abdullah said his country is under strain from hosting so many refugees but their doors will remain open.

“How are you going to turn back women, children, and the wounded?” he said. “This is something we just cannot do. It’s not the Jordanian way. We have historically opened our arms to many of our neighbours through many decades of Jordan’s history.”

King Abdullah continued: “Unfortunately, from that point of view, refugees will continue to come to Jordan, and we will continue – within our means – to look after them as best as we can.”

Jordon is currently hosting nearly half of the one million refugees who have fled Syria since the conflict began two years ago.

Listen to Ann Schneible’s full report: