Syrian refugees in Jordan rise to over 591,000

The number of Syrian refugees who crossed into Jordan since the conflict in their country began about three years ago has risen to 591,176, with less than a quarter of them living in the refugee camps, according to the Syrian refugee camps administration. A source at the government-run agency said that of the total number, just 136,952 live in the refugee camps in the north of the Kingdom set up to accommodate the displaced Syrians. It said 516 Syrians crossed the Jordanian border yesterday to flee the escalating fighting in Syria, noting that the Jordanian government had taken all humanitarian measures to host them "with the aim of minimizing the negative consequences of their displacement." The source said some 74 Syrians living in refugee camps in the Kingdom had voluntarily returned home. It said Jordan, in coordination with international organisations, was persevering to assist the refugees and provide them with all in-kind and cash aid, assuring that the Kingdom would continue to take in refugees, its action "stemming from its policy of hosting those who ask for help."