Syrian refugees lacking legal status are at risk of exploitation.
Having come to Amman as an illegal refugee in May 2012, Ayatollah was offered a job at a supermarket.
“I worked there a month, from 10 in the morning until midnight, sometimes until 02 in the morning. Then they refused to pay me. I only got five dinars (7 US$). Then I worked two weeks as a painter receiving only 11 dinars. We feel humiliated” he says.
Ayatollah entered Jordan with his wife and three boys aged 8, 7 and 2, having fled in a hurry from their home in Homs. They were taken to a provisional transit camp near the border and stayed there for a few days, before finding a Jordanian to pay a token sum and sign as the family’s guarantor. They went to Amman, where they have some relatives. They were able to find a house. It was in a very bad shape, but they thought they could just about afford it.
“Now we owe two month’s rent, but the landlord is patient with us. He says he will cut electricity next week, but he doesn’t threaten to throw us out. We’ve borrowed a gas cylinder from a neighbor, who will soon need it back, because of the winter.”
While we’re talking, another neighbor comes by with his two sons. Mohammad is also a refugee from the area around Homs. His father and sister were killed in an explosion. He spent some time in jail and tells of grueling experiences. He needs to operate his arm and his leg, he explains, but cannot afford to be unavailable for paid work – if something should come up.
Since the family left Homs, Ayatollah has developed anemia. He was directed to a public health center, but hesitated because of the anticipated expenses.
“We have received 150 dinars from CARE in emergency assistance, as well as some money from family and friends and food packages from a local organization. We used it to pay rent, buy food and diapers, but no medications.”
All the children go to school. While they are playful and seem happy, they all have bad coughs. The mother tells us they get sick from drinking the water. She sometimes boils it, but gas is expensive.
About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than six decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. CARE has been working in Jordan since 1948. CARE Jordan has extensive experience working with refugees, providing livelihood training and opportunities, emergency cash assistance, information sharing and psychosocial support to Iraqi refugees since 2003.