Shouldering a big responsibility

His Majesty King Abdullah, in an interview with Japan’s NHK television network during a working visit to Japan, said that Jordan must have astounded the world with its ability to carry the burden of Syrian refugees.

“People are still, I think, staggering that Jordan is still able to survive with a 21 per cent increase [in population] in 18 months,” the King said.

That was made possible, in part, by the aid and support from the international community, including Japan, but mainly by the endurance and support of the Jordanians themselves.

Japan, which contributed about $400 million, is among the main donors. Others contributed as well, and to those Jordan is grateful, but the generous support that Jordan and various international agencies receive for this purpose barely covers 29 per cent of the total cost of aiding the refugees.

The rest of the burden, the King said, is borne by the country.

Yet, there is a limit to how much Jordan can contribute to giving shelter and protection to more than a million Syrian refugees, given the weak economy and the lack of natural resources.

Still, Jordan never considered closing its border with Syria. On the contrary, the King has called for an open-border policy in regard to the Syrian refugees, even when some voices called for the opposite.

The problem of refugees would be solved if the situation in their country were stable. But in Syria that is far from happening and the advances of Islamic State members complicates the issue manifold.

The King said the IS threat is basically a challenge that Arabs and Muslims in general have to overcome.

To do so, there is a pressing need for a strategic alliance of good against evil, said the Monarch, since the danger goes beyond the immediate region of the Middle East, extending to North and Central Africa as well.

The world has seen evidence of this in many parts of the world outside Syria and Iraq, two countries where most of the effort is being exerted to face IS.

The international community should heed the King’s counsel and work to develop a wider approach to IS threats.

Once this terrorist group is dealt with and the region reaches a degree of normality, refugees can be expected to return.

Unfortunately, from the look of things, that will take some time to happen.