Jordan sets up refugee camps for Syrians

[July 10, 2012]  MAFRAQ, Jordan (AP) -- Jordan says it has set up a camp to accommodate a growing number of refugees fleeing violence in Syria.

Information Minister Sameeh Maaytah says Syrians who already arrived in Jordan since the outbreak of the uprising in their country in March 2011 will stay in what he calls an "emergency camp," where health and other services will be provided.

He said Tuesday the International Organization for Migration will establish its own separate camps to shelter non-Syrians fleeing Syria.

Maaytah says the Cabinet decision to open the camps was taken in a meeting late Monday.

Jordan is hosting 140,000 Syrian refugees.

Last week, the number of incoming refugees suddenly quadrupled to 1,000 per day, according to officials, but returned to its normal average of 250 this week.

[Associated Press]

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