The United Nations and Jordan are setting up a joint operations response center in a bid to improve the coordination of aid programs for Syrian refugees in the country.
This was announced Dec. 17 by U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres, who also hinted that the agency is set to launch Wednesday a “substantially higher” funding appeal for its programs for Syrian refugees in 2013. The 2012 Regional Response Plan for Syria sought $488 million.
The joint operations center will be led by a Jordanian official, with UNHCR’s representative in the country serving as deputy. The center is expected to lead to better coordination of planning and logistics among U.N. agencies, nongovernmental organizations and government agencies responding to the needs of Syrian refugees in Jordan. It is also designed to improve the exchange of information between these parties.
Better contingency planning is another objective the center is expected to meet. Among its tasks are to ensure that there are aid supplies prepared and prepositioned to meet projected needs.
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