Jordan - The European Union (EU), through IOM, is providing the Jordanian Border Guards with custom-built vehicles to assist injured and incapacitated refugees fleeing the war in Syria. This week it donated a mass casualty ambulance able to carry up to six patients.

The vehicle will join three single patient ambulances and 25 other vehicles, including buses and pick-ups, already donated by the EU through IOM to help Jordan’s Border Guards to cope with one of the largest inflows of refugees in the country’s history.

Ambassador Joanna Wroneck, Head of EU Delegation in Jordan said: "This project is crucial in supporting the Jordanian Border Guards in providing assistance to Syrian refugees. In particular, this ambulance, together with those already provided earlier, will help assist the injured and most vulnerable people."

The heavy-duty ambulances were made specifically to withstand the demanding desert terrain and challenges posed by operations at the Jordanian-Syrian border, using enhanced steel structures and enlarged chasses. The mass casualty vehicle, which has space for up to two paramedics to treat six patients at any one time, contains essential equipment for emergency medical assistance, including a defibrillator, ventilator unit, an IV drip unit and capacity for four oxygen cylinders.

The Jordanian Border Guards have seen a great number of refugees arrive from Syria who have been direct victims of the violence or sustained injuries during the arduous journey crossing into Jordan. Jordan has been giving refugees arriving from Syria safe passage since 2012.

Davide Terzi, IOM’s Chief of IOM in Jordan, said: “I am pleased that, through our close cooperation with the EU to support the Border Guards, we have been able to make a contribution that will have a real impact on the safety and well-being of Syrian refugees arriving at the border.”

Brig. Gen. Saber Mahayra, Commander of the Border Guards, said: “The Jordanian Armed Forces / Border Security Forces truly appreciate the support by the EU and IOM in responding to the humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees crossing into Jordan. In particular, we thank them for the provision of this very sophisticated ambulance, which will assist us in responding to incidents of mass casualties arriving at the border.”

As the conflict in Syria continues, and with the increasing complexity of the military situation on the ground, the EU Delegation to Jordan and IOM remain committed to supporting the Jordanian Border Guards to provide a safe environment for the arrival of Syrian refugees.

For more information from IOM Jordan please contact

Laila Tomeh

Email: ltomeh@iom.int

Tel.+962 79644 9626

or

Ben Webster

Email: bwebster@iom.int

Tel: +962 79132 8603.

For more information from the EU please contact

Reem Al Jazi

EU Press Officer

Email: Reem.AL-JAZI@eeas.europa.eu