Washington, Oct 13 (IANS/WAM): Jordan and the World Bank have signed an agreement for a $10 million grant which is part of an over $50-million support programme to Jordan's service delivery and the municipalities' capacity to host Syrian refugees.

The Jordan Emergency Services and Social Resilience Project will improve living conditions in cities and towns most affected by refugee inflows.

Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Ibrahim Saif, and World Bank's Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Inger Andersen, signed the agreement Saturday on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the World Bank, Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported.

"I am very pleased that we were able to mobilise such sizeable grants for Jordan at this critical time, building on the World Bank's existing engagement with the municipalities and on the excellent collaboration we have had with Jordan's development partners, in particular the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Canada," said Andersen.

"This project fits into a broader programme of support the bank is providing Jordan in response to the impact of the Syrian conflict, starting with the $150-million emergency project approved in July."

"The aim of the agreement we signed today is to support local communities in their capacity to handle the large inflow of Syrian refugees," said Saif.

"The funds allocated will be disbursed to nine municipalities that are providing services to refugees and have been most affected by the large influx," he added.

As of last month, over half a million Syrian refugees are estimated to have crossed into Jordan.