Brussels, 14/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - MEPs, headed by Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar (S&D, Spain), were in Jordan from 11 to 14 February to meet Syrian refugees. They again appealed to the EU and to the member states to step up their assistance to those fleeing Syria and to ensure that funds allocated do, in fact, reach those who are most in need, a press release points out. Accompanying Lopez Aguilar were Hubert Pirker (EPP, Austria), Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romania) and Judith Sargentini (Greens/EFA, NL). They called on the countries bordering on Syria to leave their borders open, as a number of crossing points have been closed. MEPs, inter alia, visited camp Zaatari where between 1,500 and 3,000 people arrive every day. Children make up over half of the camp's population (58%). Currently, according to HCR figures, Jordan has taken in nearly 250,000 Syrian refugees and Lebanon over 260,000. In total, over 720,000 people have sought refuge in the countries bordering on Syria. The EU has until now released over €400 million in humanitarian aid, half of which comes from Commission funding. (SP/transl.jl)