JORDAN: Syrian refugees at the Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp enjoy the football World Cup

Record ID: 274605

  • Title: JORDAN: Syrian refugees at the Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp enjoy the football World Cup
  • Date: 3rd July 2014
  • Summary: ZARQA, JORDAN (JULY 1, 2014) (REUTERS) CONTAINER HOUSES IN THE MRAJEEB AL FHOOD REFUGEE CAMP/ BOYS PLAYING SOCCER VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE CAMP (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAIF BIN SULEIMAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE CAMP, SAYING: "The World Cup is a tournament held only once every four years. During one of our meetings with our Syrian brothers, we hold weekly meetings with them, they
  • Embargoed: 18th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Conflict,General,Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEIEQ3L0WLYW4TZR02Q1CM432B
  • Story Text: As World Cup fever grips the planet, one camp in Jordan is allowing Syrian refugees to take part in the excitement.
    Thanks to a big screen installed, Syrian refugees at the Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp are able to follow the popular international soccer tournament.
    The camp, which is funded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through its Red Crescent Society, is home to more than 4,000 Syrian refugees, and located 20 kms (12.4 miles) east of the city of Zarqa.
    "The World Cup is a tournament held only once every four years. During one of our meetings with our Syrian brothers, we hold weekly meetings with them, they asked if they could watch the World Cup. So, we struck up a deal with a company in Amman, and we installed a big screen in the main yard, in which we are now, which broadcasts all the World Cup matches," said Saif Bin Suleiman, the camp's deputy director.
    One refugee, who fled Deraa just under a year ago, said evenings at the camp had become more enjoyable.
    "Thank God, we are living here safely under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. We made a request to be able to watch the World Cup, they agreed immediately and a screen was installed. So, now we spend our evenings watching and enjoying the tournament," said Ahmad Oweis.
    Another refugee said that being able to watch the World Cup has lifted the morale among people at the camp.
    "Thank God, watching this tournament has lifted the morale of many people here. People are more relaxed and they feel better. We are grateful that the UAE and Jordan welcomed our request, so now we are able to watch the World Cup," said Mohammed Ibrahim.
    Jordan is one of Syria's four immediate neighbours and, along with Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, has been inundated with refugees fleeing the civil war. The country hosts close to 600,000 refugees. A large number of people seeking refuge in Jordan have been taken to the Zaatari camp which is home to around 130,000 refugees and many others have settled in local communities.
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