His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday paid a visit to a Palestinian refugee camp and directed the authorities to support projects called for by the residents to improve their living conditions.

During an unannounced visit to the Ain Ghazal Secondary School for Girls in the Hittin refugee camp, the King met with representatives of the some 55,000 residents of the camp, previously known as Schniller Camp, located near Ruseifa town to the east of Amman.

King Abdullah listened to citizens' needs and proposals for development projects, giving instructions to form a committee comprising the representatives to coordinate with the Royal Court for the implementation of the envisaged schemes.

"I am here to listen to your needs and suggestions on how to improve services offered to you. I am aware of the challenges you face and I support your ideas to address unemployment and better your situation," King Abdullah told the gathering.

The King told camp residents and local community leaders that he will personally follow up on implementing projects with the government and the Royal Court. "This is my first visit to the camp, but it will not be the last and I will visit you again to check on the changes on the ground," he affirmed.

King Abdullah also pledged to include refugee camps in the Ministry of Education's School Nutrition Programme, which offers daily wholesome meals to students in underprivileged areas.

Following a tour of the school, which has some 800 students, King Abdullah instructed the concerned parties to provide the facility with all its needs.

Director of the Department of Palestinian Affairs Wajih Azaizeh told reporters following the King's visit that the department, in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, is implementing a project to build one-room units for residents living in tin houses.

Some 100 houses have been built in the Hittin camp so far, said Azaizeh, noting that about JD3 million has been spent on the project so far.

More houses will be built as soon as more funds are available, Azaizeh noted.