On 16 March, IOM convened a roundtable discussion to review the first draft of standard operating procedures for receiving Syrian refugees at the border, developed by Jordanian Border Guards 

Those present included UNICEF, UNHCR, ICRC, WFP, the Royal Medical Services, as well the Border Guards themselves.The roundtable gave the international community a chance to openly discuss the draft text and recommend further inclusions. 

As well as focusing on technical details and legal frameworks supporting the text, participants were able to address very practical issues in coordinating the humanitarian effort, including the distribution of data to support operations and facilitating regular coordination between relevant agencies. 

Given the recent increase in the number of refugees entering Jordan - 1,561 have been transported since 15 March, having a commonly agreed operating procedures that ensure protection of refugees and security of Jordan will be ever more important. 

Since the start of 2014, the EU’s generous 8 million Euros of funding has enabled IOM to provide 29 vehicles and drivers to support the Jordanian Border Guards, ensuring the safe transportation of refugees to transit centers. The funding also pays for blankets, mattresses, heaters for winter and fans for summer, at reception areas at the border points. 

As well as the facilitating the development of SOPs, IOM has provided considerable training to the JBGs on areas such as counter terrorism, counter trafficking and humanitarian law. 

IOM will compile the recommendations from all parties and submit them to the JBGs. Further technical working groups focused on specific thematic areas, such as protection and health, are planned for the coming months in order to contribute greater detail to the SOPS.