Mrs Dean, who last month visited refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria at a Jordanian camp in Ramtha, said the extra aid, which was part of a $1.5 million humanitarian aid package for the Middle East and Africa announced by Foreign Minister Murray McCully on Wednesday, would make a huge difference to those fleeing violence that was increasingly targeting "women and children in particular".
"The Syrian refugees, be they Lebanese or Syrian or elsewhere in the Middle East, are in a terrible situation. Most of them can't move on.
"They certainly can't go back, so they are stuck in refugee camps for an indefinite time and it is a ghastly situation."
During her trip to the Jordanian border-town of Ramtha in May, Mrs Dean witnessed at least 250 people a night crossing the border but since then the situation had worsened, she said.
"I know there is a greater flow of refugees across the border, and that's why I think the extra assistance that New Zealand is giving to aid specifically those refugees is particularly timely, really welcome and sorely needed."
The money, which would be distributed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, would be used to support Jordanian transit camps, assistance to provide household items, clothes and food for refugees.
Targeted support for people with disabilities would also be funded, she said.
She also said the package would relieve some of the pressures being faced by the Jordanian authorities.
"We certainly are in the New Zealand Parliament and the New Zealand Government very aware of the escalating humanitarian crisis that we have got as a result of the conflict in Syria.
"Jordan has got to be commended for the open arms it extends to refugees coming across the border," Mrs Dean said.
