EU gives 28 million euros to Syrian refugees in Jordan

The European Union on Sunday said it was allocating an extra 28 million euros to Jordan to help it meet the urgent needs of Syrian refugees as winter sets in.

EU humanitarian affairs commissioner Christos Stylianides made the announcement during a visit to the Zaatari camp in northern Jordan that is home to 80,000 refugees from across the border in Syria.

"Today I'm announcing the allocation of 28 millions euros ($30.8 million) specifically for Jordan. This money will assist the urgent needs of Syrian refugees and their host communities," Stylianides told reporters.

The latest aid raises the overall EU humanitarian assistance to 198 million euros since Syria's conflict broke out in 2011.

"The Syrian refugee crisis is well into its fifth year and the needs of refugees and the hardships they are facing are greater than ever. As winter approaches, daily life is set to become even tougher, which is why this help is so important."

The funds are expected to be used to provide the refugees with basic needs such as health care, clean water, shelter, rent and education, the EU says.

Stylianides toured the Zaatari camp and met U.N. officials who work there as well as refugee families.

Later he visited a Syrian family living in the town of Mafraq near Zaatari and who depend on EU funds to survive.

The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR estimates that more than four million Syrians have fled the civil war that has ravaged their country and reportedly killed more than 250,000 people.

Jordan says it has taken in 1.4 million Syrians fleeing the war but the UNHCR puts the figure at 600,000.

Around 80 percent of Syrians in Jordan live outside camps.