AMMAN: The Netherlands has announced a €14 million ($14.8 million) contribution to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan which will support the basic needs of 31,400 refugee families, Jordan News Agency reported on Monday.

The additional funding comes in response to recent UNHCR and Jordanian calls for more assistance to refugees in the country, the Dutch Embassy in Jordan said. It added that the rising cost of living has significantly affected vulnerable people in the Jordan, particularly refugees.

“The €14 million contribution of the Netherlands to UNHCR’s cash assistance program aims to alleviate the immediate needs of the most vulnerable refugees and will help them pay bills for food, housing and energy,” Dutch Ambassador to Jordan Harry Verweij said

“This contribution is a sign of our continued commitment to support Jordan with hosting so many refugees,” Verweij added.

“We are grateful for the Netherlands responding to our call for support to refugees during the winter period. It allows us to sustain our cash assistance for the most vulnerable women, men and children and stabilize their fragile household economies,” UNHCR Representative to Jordan Dominik Bartsch said.

The Netherlands is among the UNHCR’s top five donors for non-earmarked funds. It also continues to provide support in Jordan through the PROSPECTS Partnership, which brings together IFC, ILO, UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Bank to enhance vulnerable people’s self-sufficiency by improving access to quality education, employment and protection services, while also supporting the country’s development goals.