Spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jordan Youssef Taha has announced a proposed budget of $280 million for the agency’s 2026 operations in the Kingdom.
The budget aims to support the voluntary return of Syrian refugees and continue essential services for those opting to remain in Jordan.
Speaking to Al Mamlaka TV, he noted that the decrease in the requested funding for 2026, compared to the 2025 budget, is attributed to a reduction in the refugee population, stressing that the need for humanitarian support remains critical.
Taha noted that UNHCR’s 2026 strategy will prioritise empowerment and sustainable solutions for refugees, including facilitating voluntary return while ensuring continued protection and services for those who choose to stay.
The strategy is underpinned by principles of dignity, sustainability, and partnership, with a firm commitment to protection and the humanitarian pledge to “leave no one behind,” the spokesperson said.
In 2025, UNHCR had outlined a budget of $372.8 million to implement protection and assistance programmes in Jordan. These included monthly cash assistance for vulnerable families, legal aid, health and education support, and other community-based services, he noted.
Taha said that as of August 31, 2025, the agency had received only $115 million, just 31 per cent of the required funding, leaving a substantial shortfall of $257.8 million, or 69 per cent of the overall budget.
He pointed out that this funding gap prompted the agency to identify priority activities to ensure aid continues to reach as many refugees as possible.
Looking ahead to 2026 and anticipating further funding constraints, Taha said that UNHCR will enhance its focus on sustainable empowerment solutions through working closely with partners to ensure remaining services are integrated and needs are met.
The spokesperson said that the anticipated decrease in both global and local funding will require humanitarian actors, including UNHCR, to concentrate on their core mandates.
Taha said that all UNHCR sectors in Jordan have established clear priorities, outlining which activities will continue and which may be suspended due to funding limitations, ensuring the most vulnerable refugees continue to receive critical support in 2026.