“Since 2020, our lives in Jordan have become more uncomfortable,” said Mansour, a Yemeni father of three.
Mansour came to Jordan in 2014, escaping conflict in Yemen. While Jordan has welcomed him and his family, their lives have not been easy. As Jordan has struggled to overcome the impacts of COVID-19, so have households like Mansour’s. The situation is challenging for many, but it is particularly difficult for non-Syrian refugees, who cannot legally work. Although he takes on informal daily work, health issues prevent him from working every day. Like many refugees in Jordan, Mansour’s family struggled to make ends meet.
When they started having trouble paying rent, their landlord began showing up at their home daily and threatening to evict them. At the same time, the family could only afford to buy bread and tea without borrowing from the grocery store owner. Mansour and his family were at a loss.
Then Mansour found IOCC’s local phone hotline and reached out to staff. After an assessment, IOCC found that an ongoing rent assistance program could help. With support from humanitarian partner Diakonie ACT Austria, IOCC covered Mansour’s rent for three months. This assistance secured their home and ensured they weren’t evicted. Their relationship with their landlord has improved, and the family now feels safe. Finally, while IOCC assistance covered their rent, Mansour’s family could use his meager income for other key expenses—like food for their family.
Mansour is thankful for the support IOCC provided. In a challenging time, when he and his family did not know where to turn, IOCC ensured that they had a safe place to live and food to eat.
