Iraqi refugee children find happier times at a World Vision-funded education center, where they can play and learn in safety. More than 2 million refugees have fled the ongoing violence in Iraq. Photo by Ashley Clements.

About 250,000 refugees in Jordan are of school age, but the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR says only about 10,000 are going to school.

Basic Accommodations

To help meet the needs, World Vision is working with four organizations in Jordan to provide informal education, peace-building skills, counseling, food distributions and health care. One organization is now operating a day center for 200 children where they are able to play and learn in safety. Iraqi youth are also learning leadership skills and resilience at the center. Another partner is providing preschool education for 150 children, as well as English classes and life skills to teenage girls. Yet another is tutoring 250 young Iraqis in drama, arts, languages and literacy.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Watch videos of Iraqi refugees sharing their experiences of bombing, terrorism, and kidnappings: Qazim, 13: "They blocked my eyes and tied me up..." Salah, 12: "We ran into people who wanted to kill us..." Farah, 10: "They wanted to take our house and they hit my father..." Fawaz, 9: "I used to go on top of the roof and watch the planes and watch the war..."

Building International Awareness and Support

World Vision Middle East Advisor Ashley Clements said despite refugees’ growing needs, they have had little support from the international community, and host governments are resisting calls to provide for those seeking sanctuary. In Jordan, even registration with the UNHCR does not provide legal protection, and refugees face the possibility of forced deportation.

“Jordan is neither a rich country, nor is it large,” says Clements. “The role of hosting such a large population of refugees is overwhelming. Both local infrastructure and services are taxed to the limit.

“There are simply not enough places in Jordanian schools for new arrivals.”

In April, World Vision launched the report, “Trapped! Unlocking the Future of Iraqi Refugee Children,” at a UNHCR conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference was held to discuss the challenges posed by the crisis.

In addition to the 2 million who have fled Iraq, there are another 2 million internally displaced within the country — the largest and fastest growing uprooted population in the world today.

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