Jordan’s Planning and International Cooperation Minister, Zeina Touqan, discussed Sunday with UNDP and UNHCR senior officials strengthening the support for Jordan to address development and humanitarian challenges. Touqan said the visit is “important” to enhance the development and humanitarian support provided to Jordan and find “innovative windows to provide funding in the humanitarian and development fields.” Toukan praised the depth of partnership with the UNDP and its role in supporting development and reform efforts and the role of UNHCR in supporting refugees and host communities amidst decreased funding for crisis response coincided with increasing global economic challenges. Touqan briefed the UN officials on the challenges facing Jordan, including the ongoing effects of hosting Syrian refugees and its impact on the Jordanian budget and economy. She discussed the “importance” of the international community’s continued support for refugees and host communities. She called for more support, especially in health, education, water and municipal services and support for the World Food Programme (WHP) and the UNHCR to enable them to continue providing financial assistance to refugees. During the meeting, the minister noted the decline in the support for Jordan’s response plan to the Syrian crisis as it has not exceeded, to date, 7.5 per cent of its threshold, calling on the international community to fulfil its obligations towards the countries hosting refugees. Source: Jordan News Agency