Za'atari refugee camp, Jordan (CNN) -- I've spent the past week working in the Za'atari refugee camp in northern Jordan, about six miles from the Syrian border. The camp was opened less than a month ago to receive Syrians fleeing the violence in their country. Built on a barren desert plain without a tree or shrub in sight, it can seem an unwelcoming place to arrive, even for a refugee. Dust storms and scorching heat have taken their toll on refugees and aid workers here. But given that less than 4% of Jordanian land is arable the terrain is not a surprise.
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Za'atari refugee camp in northern Jordan is home to more than 20,000 Syrian refugees
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Hundreds more arrive every day, on foot, with just the clothes they are wearing
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The refugees are putting pressure on already scarce water resources in the region
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As the situation in Syria escalates, many fear they will be in the camp for some time
Water is one of the most pressing long-term issue that faces the refugees, as well as the local @placeholder communities.