PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER: Prime Minister Robert Abela visits the Al Za'atari Refugee Camp in Jordan

During an official visit to Jordan, Prime Minister Robert Abela visited the Al Za'atari refugee camp, which is operated by the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR.

This is the largest refugee camp in the world, providing assistance and protection to refugees who have fled violence in Syria.

Prime Minister Robert Abela had the opportunity to meet UNHCR workers who carry out invaluable work daily with around 70,000 refugees. Half of the camp's population are children, and remarkably, 20% of them are under five years of age.

Within the camp, there are also 32 schools. In fact, 23,000 students attend these schools and receive their daily education. The camp also includes 8 health centres, with one particular clinic operating 24 hours a day. In addition, food and essential services such as energy and water are also provided.

While observing the important daily work of this agency, Prime Minister Robert Abela also had the opportunity to meet with many residents of the camp. He witnessed various activities, including handcrafts and other forms of work that generate income and contribute back to the camp community.

Moreover, the Prime Minister sat with different individuals and families, listening to their daily experiences and the circumstances that led them to reside in the camp. It was during this visit that Dr Abela announced that the Maltese Government would be assisting the operations of this refugee camp, and thereby its residents, through a financial donation.

The Prime Minister also had the opportunity to meet some of the children and even spent some time playing football with them, a game that unites people and cultures from all over the world.

Prime Minister Abela concluded his visit with a message in favour of peace, which brings about the political and economic stability that benefits so many people.

Photo (OPM)