United Nations in Jordan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Jordan:

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22 March 2021

Ten years of conflict. Ten refugee experiences

Khaled “In the past, we could not afford canned food to feed the kids.” In 2013, Khaled, 38, and his wife, 32, fled Aleppo to protect their children from war. When they reached Jordan, their only belongings were the clothes they were wearing. Khaled found a job but earned only enough to pay the rent. Their lives improved when they started receiving cash assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) in 2014. When the pandemic hit, Khaled lost his job, “expenses started piling up, and now I can’t pay my bills,” he says. He’s in the same bind as 82% of refugee households in Jordan that have reported reduced income since the start of the pandemic. The parents’ only wish now is to find a place where they can raise their kids in peace. Ahmad “The pandemic has been really hard on everyone, especially in the camp.” Ahmad, 44, a Syrian refugee from Daraa, sought refuge in Jordan in 2013, with his wife and one-year-old son, Omar. “It was not an easy decision, but I had to make it after seeing the fear in Omar’s eyes when bombs were falling.” In Jordan, Ahmad and his wife have made ends meet with their savings and jobs. They had a second son. “The pandemic has been really hard on everyone, especially in the [Azraq refugee] camp. There are barely any jobs, my children are out of school, and we’re afraid for our health,” says Ahmad. He’s grateful for the assistance from WFP but explains that it’s not enough. Like 52% of refugees, Ahmad has had to limit his own food intake to prioritise that of his children. Amal “While I’m creating, I don’t think about all the other problems in my life.” Amal, 33, left her home in Daraa, Syria, when fighting first broke out at the beginning of the conflict. “I had just graduated from art college, I wanted to become an artist,” she says. “But we had to leave, and our lives completely changed.” Since finding safety in Jordan, she got married and had a son, Yousef, 4. Shortly after Yousef was born, Amal became part of SEP, a social enterprise to support refugees in Jordan through training and employment. She took classes in embroidery and became one of almost 500 women to work as part of the project. “While I’m creating, I don’t think about all the other problems in my life. It’s given me hope.” Ammar “I want to start my own company but it’s difficult to know where to begin.” At 25 years old, Ammar has spent the majority of his youth as a refugee. After fleeing his home in rural Damascus in 2013, he completed high school in Jordan before being awarded a scholarship to study computer science, and is now a skilled Android app developer. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic he is currently unemployed. Ammar’s dream is to start a company which provides vocational training to recent graduates like himself. “I’m always thinking two or three years into the future,” he says. “The conflict taught me that we can only depend on ourselves.” Kawthar “I consider myself a lucky and happy girl, because I have a mom and a dad.” Kawthar, age 10, is as old as the Syrian conflict. She doesn’t remember her home but regularly talks to her uncles and grandparents, who still live there. “I am always scared for them,” she says. “But when I talk to them, I feel happy because they usually spoil me and give me happy nicknames.” Kawthar’s father works in construction, but the opportunities are limited and the family is struggling. “I don’t have toys, but it’s okay. I play with my younger siblings a lot,” she says. When she’s not in school, Kawthar spends time in UNICEF’s Makani centres, where she is learning Arabic, English, and mathematics. She dreams of becoming a judge, to create a more just world. Laila “I ask my father when we will be able to go back to Syria... he tells me that we will one day, when war is over.” Laila, 10, and her family left their home in Homs, Syria, when Laila was just one year old. She doesn’t remember it now, but says her father speaks of how beautiful Homs was. “Syria is my country, the place where I was born.” Laila and her family have lived in Zaatari camp since they arrived in Jordan. School has been closed in the past year due to COVID-19. “I really miss my friends and especially my teacher,” Laila says. She dreams of becoming an astronaut and speaks passionately about space. “My favourite planet by far is Earth, because we all live on it, and it has the air that we breath, the water that we drink, but we have to take care of it more.” Mohammad “One must never let failure stop oneself from achieving greatness.” After the war erupted in Syria, Mohammad moved to Jordan with his family in 2013. Six years later, in 2019, he started studying business and enrolled in a vocational training programme run by UNESCO. During his studies, Mohammad started to develop initiatives to support other refugees in Jordan, such as an e-learning platform he launched that targets youth in refugee camps, teaching them skills in business, digital marketing, and self-development. In 2020, Mohammad completed his studies and got a certificate in Business Discipline. Soheir Soheir’s family home and business in Syria were destroyed by a shell. At the beginning of the Syrian crisis, a shell destroyed the house and the electronics store that Soheir's family owned in Daraa and caused her a minor injury. She fled for Jordan, and is now helping safeguard Jordan’s cultural heritage. She says that joining the heritage project has given her valuable experience and an income. Soheir wants to use what she has learned about ancient mosaics restoration to create industrial mosaic panels to sell via social media. Asma “I wish our family could reunite one day.” Asma, her husband, and their three children left Syria for Jordan in July 2012. Before the war, the family had a good life in Syria — a home, good health, and children with dreams. “I almost lost my youngest boy because of an airstrike,” says Asma. “It was clear that this was not home as we know it anymore.” Asma’s 70-year-old mother stayed behind. “It is heart-breaking to know that we cannot do anything to support her,” says Asma. “I wish our family could reunite one day.” A herniated disc has left Asma’s husband Mohammed unable to continue his work as a painter. The family is among the 17,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria now in Jordan who are receiving assistance from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Haifa “We all have a role to play in supporting and lifting others.” In 2014, Haifa, 33, travelled from Syria to Jordan with her six children, to reunite with her husband. Soon after arriving, “my husband started to hit me,” she says. “I wanted to get a divorce, but this would have meant leaving my children behind.” Her husband remarried and moved out. With no education or work experience outside the home, Haifa had limited opportunities. Things got worse when the pandemic hit. “Trapped all day in my caravan,” says Haifa, “I began feeling very depressed and sick all the time.” In July 2020, she joined the UN Women’s Oasis Centre, a livelihoods programme. She was appointed as a tailoring supervisor and master cutter. “I believe everyone is a potential leader,” she says. “We all have a role to play in supporting and lifting others.” Produced by UN Jordan. Collection of profiles adapted from stories written by UN agencies, funds and programmes in Jordan. Edited by Paul VanDeCarr, Development Coordination Office.

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Press Release

20 June 2021

On World Refugee Day, Jordan continues to be the second host country of refugees per capita in the world

Jordan continues to be the second host country of refugees per capita in the world, according to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Currently home to over 750,000 refugees, Jordan has time and again opened its doors to those forced to flee. Today, more than 10 years into the Syria crisis, the vast majority of Jordanians - 94 percent - still say they are sympathetic towards refugees.
This positive attitude towards including refugees in Jordanian society has also extended to the health sector. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, refugees in Jordan have been included in the national response and, more recently, have been able to receive the vaccine free of charge. 40 percent of eligible refugees living in refugee camps in Jordan have now received at least their first dose of the vaccine.
Despite this, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on health care, schools and our communities, severely impacting refugees and their Jordanian hosts, and pushing more families into poverty. This means refugees are increasingly resorting to moving to lower-quality shelters, skipping rent, accumulating debt or reducing food expenditure. In addressing these challenges and building back better, UNHCR is committed to supporting both refugee and Jordanian communities.
“Our assistance to refugees must be part of the broader recovery efforts to help all those affected by the economic impact of the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe." said Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Jordan Representative. "UNHCR is dedicated to work with the Jordanian Government to ensure that the needs of vulnerable refugees and Jordanians are met,” Bartsch added. In recognition of the skills refugees have to offer, on World Refugee Day, UNHCR is launching a Nursing and Health Care Lab in partnership with Luminus Technical University College (LTUC), which will benefit both refugee and Jordanian students. Using the latest medical equipment, machines and amenities for Pediatrics, Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the lab simulates the environment of a hospital providing vocational training to ensure students’ smooth transition to the labor market.
Additionally, through a collaboration with the UN Chamber Music Society and in a performance led by Jordanian singer, Leen Alfaqih, and accompanied by a refugee choir, UNHCR Jordan is using the power of music to highlight that ‘Together, we can achieve anything. Together we can heal, learn and shine.’

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Story

09 January 2022

From social listening to countering misinformation

Noran Adly (Egypt) started her assignment as UN Volunteer Community Engagement Officer at the Jordan office of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in February 2021. Since then, she has been able to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health to respond to the pandemic, train community health workers and contribute to the national health strategy to eliminate COVID-19 in Jordan. Noran shares her motivation and experience. I came to Jordan to support the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) response, as part of the national campaign to eliminate the COVID-19 virus. The main role of UNICEF in the campaign is to build the capacities of the government to respond to COVID-19. Two weeks after my arrival in Amman, the situation in the country reached its peak, with an almost 14 per cent infection rate and about 10,000 reported infected cases from an overall population of 10 million people. The situation was critical and my role in community engagement was to provide daily and weekly reports on the COVID-19 situation in the country. I led the social listening activities in the project, along with a team of 12 volunteers, and we acted as community ambassadors. Our role was to gather community questions, concerns, complaints and demands, counter rumours and misinformation about the Coronavirus, and encourage people to get vaccinated. As a result of this work, over 100 ‘Question and Answer’ posts were designed to respond to people’s inquiries about the COVID-19 virus and its vaccines. Our role was to gather community questions, concerns, complaints and demands, counter rumours and misinformation about the Coronavirus, and encourage people to get vaccinated. As a result of this work, over 100 ‘Question and Answer’ posts were designed to respond to people’s inquiries about the COVID-19 virus and its vaccines. Noran Adly, UN Volunteer Community Engagement Officer with UNICEF, Jordan The campaign used surveys and questionnaires, as well as other social listening input, to inform its awareness messages and influence the design of awareness-raising activities. Over a three-month period, the situation experienced a positive shift, and the cases decreased to 300-400 cases per day, due to the massive vaccination campaign undertaken by the government. During my volunteering assignment, my tasks included assisting in developing and implementing activities to increase the reach and impact of key messages to reduce COVID-19 in Jordan. Alongside this, I have been recommending strategies and implementing community engagement activities, together with partners and stakeholders, while keeping the local context in mind. I also develop monthly reports to partners, including the World Health organization and Ministry of Health. I believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lot in terms of community engagement and the importance of adopting a human-centred approach to crises. This pandemic has proven beyond any doubt that social norms and behaviour change are vital in any human development process and could be further integrated into different UN interventions. I hope the huge health awareness that we have gained during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to contribute to other immunization and health programmes across the world. My dream is that one day the most vulnerable families and children, especially in the South, will have much better access to adequate health and educational services. Noran Adly I was happy to enable the most vulnerable children and their families to access equitable health, nutrition and early intervention services. Owing to my field experience with local and refugee communities, I was able to assist in strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Health to respond to the pandemic by delivering several training sessions to community health workers. I am proud of my contribution to the national health strategy to eliminate COVID-19 in Jordan and I hope I can help more countries to better engage with their communities in the future. My first international experience as a UN Volunteer has broadened my experience and enhanced my field involvement, while also boosting my interpersonal communication and leadership skills. I feel responsible for giving back to the community, whether at home in Egypt or elsewhere in the global South. I believe these areas are more vulnerable and face more challenges, due to their limited financial resources and lagging development. Before joining UNV, I worked for seven years with international non-governmental organizations and UN entities such as UNHCR, where I was a community-based protection assistant, interned with UN Women, was a regional facilitator for the British Council’s Active Citizens Program, and Founder of Active Artists Project under the social incubator of the Think Tank for development solutions. Additionally, I worked as a political researcher with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs. Written by: Noran Adly Noran is studying for a Master’s degree in Euro-Mediterranean Affairs at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and a post-graduate diploma in Cultural Development, also from Cairo University, and is proud of her track record of volunteering, nationally and internationally, since 2010.

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21 December 2021

Addressing Political Violence Sustainably Require Us to Rethink Our Approach to Empowering Women

As we at UNDP and others are embarking on a campaign this year for the 16 days of activism to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV), it is useful to shed a light on the global and national themes for this year. In 2008, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign) which is a multi-year effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls around the world. The campaign builds on existing international legal and policy frameworks and works to synergize the efforts of all UN offices and agencies working to end violence against women. The UNiTE global Campaign for this year is focusing on the interconnections between crises-related rapidly changing contexts and the rise of violence against women and girls in all forms and manifestations under its 2021 theme “Orange the World: END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NOW!” In Jordan, JNCW, the National Commission for Women announced, that the national theme for this year is addressing political violence as an issue that needs to be tackled to combat gender-based violence, in partnership with civil society organizations. This priority theme was identified based on a national study that were 64.5% of women respondents reported that they have been subjected to some form of political violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, the theme focuses on the following : Tackling the different forms of political violence against women with a focus on online violence. Breaking the silence on political violence and encouraging women to report. Raising the awareness of the community on the value of women’s political participation. Finding a sustainable solution to addressing political violence against women would require us to reexamine our approach to empowering women in politics and in the public space at large. Here are my reflections on the core areas to focus on moving forward: Focus on the impact of Gender Roles and Conditioning on Women’s Aspiration and Involvement in the Public Life How boys and girls conditioning impact how they view values of gender equality and social justice. The socialization process that accompanies girls from a very early age can negatively affect their personalities and academic aspiration. On a community level, women tend to be conditioned to accept more traditional gender roles such as caretaking roles which impact internalizing their acceptance towards being confined only to the private sphere. While young males are encouraged, from an early age, to lead and innovate and have more access to the public sphere. In CEDAW committee’s concluding observation in 2017, they have highlighted that patriarchal attitude on the rise. They were concerned about the persistence of deep-rooted discriminatory stereotypes which overemphasize the traditional role of women as mothers and wives, thereby undermining women’s social status, autonomy, educational opportunities and professional careers. (1) In Jordan, there are more women graduating higher education than men, but this does not translate into a gender balanced workforce. Women's labor force participation in Jordan is the lowest in the region for a country that is not in conflict and the 4th lowest in the world, only behind Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Women's low labor force participation does not have a single cause, but it must be analyzed in its entirety, considering all social, legislative, policy and structural levels. Over the past few years, reports have consistently posited that gendered social norms hinder women’s economic participation. a lack of structural support – such as safe transportation, childcare services and private sector investment – disproportionately affects women. However, there is still a huge gap between research and practice. (3) Address the Root Causes of the Gender Gap in Politics and the Economy Despite the progress achieved globally on women’s political representation and participation, it remains a universal challenge. Jordan managed to achieve moderate progress in women participation, yet the rate of positive change is slow and often infrequent. Women often have overcome a plethora of systematic and socio-economic challenges that stems from patriarchal social norms, if they decide to pursue a career in politics for instance. At UNDP, we have conducted a study to understand how to address low participation of women in politics and the economy. The study showed that women face intersectional challenges that direct land indirectly impede them from meaningful and effective participation and representation in the public and political spheres. These challenges include entrenched sexism; prevailing harmful social norms; economic and financial constraints; and sociopolitical constraints. Evidence shows that even when women managed to get engaged in the public and political spheres, they continue to face discriminatory practices. For instance, women are more likely to face bullying from the media and lack of support from communities. Put an end to GBV in Public Spaces There is a high level of social injustice that makes participation for women and men an unequal, unleveled playing field. Women continue to face bullying and harassments even in big cities, offline in real life and online in the form of cyber bullying. Women in leadership positions often encounter political violence as they are often ridiculed whether in person or online due to their gender. It is evident that there is systematic political violence against women which is seen when localized informal institutions collectively consent on a political candidate, they tend to select men over women, even if the woman is more competent and qualified. Such patterns are seen in electoral lists that include women at the bottom of the lists only to secure tribal’ support and to merely increase list votes. Furthermore, representative bodies such as labor and professional unions as well as student unions along with the parliament, governorate councils, municipal councils, and local councils are all dominated by men and hence impact the political environment to be man-dominated. Respond to COVID-19 Heightened Impact on Gender Inequality COVID-19 pandemic has impacted gender equality and especially gender-based violence greatly worldwide and evidently in Jordan. Measures to reduce the spread of the virus has caused an increase in the cases of GBV due lockdown measures that limited the victims to access safe spaces and service providers. We saw firsthand the impact of not including women in decision making process during a health crisis. UNDP alongside UN Women have created a COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker that can be accessed here. The tracker monitors responses taken by governments worldwide to tackle the pandemic, and highlights those that have integrated a gender lens. It captures two types of government responses: women’s participation in COVID-19 task forces and national policy measures taken by governments. It analyzes which of the policy measures address women’s economic and social security, including unpaid care work, the labor market and violence against women. The Tracker can provide guidance for policymakers and evidence for advocates to ensure a gender-sensitive COVID-19 policy response. Evidence based policy making is essential to ensure that we are adopting a gender responsive lens when addressing political violence in Jordan. (1) Gender Discrimination in Jordan, UN Women (3) META-Analysis on Women’s Participation in The Labour Force in Jordan By Najd Almuhaythif, Gender Expert, UNDP Jordan

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Story

21 December 2021

The road to my dream - The hope we have when given a second chance

At the age of 7 years old, Shaima’a had no choice but to flee the once peaceful countryside she was growing up in to escape conflict. She left everything behind, including her home, many of her belongings and her education. “My earliest memory here in the camp was going to the supermarket and feeling safe” she reminisces. “I don’t remember the exact moment I arrived here in Azraq though because I was so little”. Since arriving at Azraq Refugee Camp in Jordan just over 5 years ago and now 12 years old, she has had a second chance at getting the education she had always wanted. Not only was she enrolled in school but also a UNICEF-supported Makani centre. A second chance Shaima’a never had a real chance to become settled into education. She had always wanted to go to school but with the conflict in Syria escalating rapidly, the situation for children, in particular girls, became dire. “Back in Syria there were no schools safe to go to” says Shaima’a. “If I wasn’t here in Azraq, then I wouldn’t have started school already”. At Makani centres, children of all ages participate in several informal education activities. Children acquire literacy, numeracy and computer skills, which helps them in their formal education. Thanks to the US Fund for UNICEF, girls like Shaima’a are enrolling in learning support services in Makani centres, where they receive extra support specifically in Arabic and Maths. This support is proving to be vital for Shaima’a in moving closer towards her ambitions. “A couple of years ago, my aunt developed a sickness and became paralyzed for a time. We thought she would never be able to walk again but doctors cured her and now she walks as normal” explains Shaima’a. “This has greatly inspired me to want to become a physician and therapist for people who need rehabilitation” says Shaima’a. “In order for me to achieve this, education is a must”. Educational skills in key subjects such as numeracy are not the only sessions children are involved in. While Biology and Mathematics are her favourite subjects at school, Shaima’a can find other ways to express herself at the Makani centre. “A Makani centre is a wonderful place for us to be in” Shaima’a explains. “We can do sports here; we can go to the gym and I also do music here. It’s not only a place for learning, but also a place to have fun!”. Schools and Makani closures When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Jordan, schools and Makani centres closed in Azraq Refugee Camp for the safety of the population. For girls like Shaima’a, the closures proved to be another difficult new life adjustment. “When schools were closed, I was devastated” she explains. “We had to do online learning, and to be honest, it’s just not the same as being in a school with teachers and friends. When they opened, I was so excited just to see other people again!”. The value of education for girls such as Shaima’a cannot be underestimated. It gives them a pathway full of hope. “I just love school and the Makani centre because it is the road that will take me towards my dream of becoming a physician” says Shaima’a. “The teachers and Makani staff are always telling us that we can achieve any dreams and to me that’s precious because this is my chance to change my life”. Shaima

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Story

21 December 2021

From where I stand: “Any woman who faces violence like I did should ask for help”

"We were 5 sisters and 4 brothers. When my father left the country to remarry, I felt abandoned and unwanted. We were constantly moved from one house to the other. When I got married, I felt relieved. The first years of my marriage were peaceful. Then my husband started to drink and cheated on me. Despite that, I was still thinking that life with him was better than returning to my family. He divorced me but I had to go back to him because it was not acceptable for my family to have a divorced daughter living alone.

As he became more abusive towards me and our two sons, I started to fear for my life. There was one incident I recall vividly. It was 4am, my husband was under the influence of substance abuse. He threw a table at me, he chased me around the house and tried to choke me. I fell unconscious. When I recovered, I confronted him, but it made the situation worse as he turned his anger against my children. At that point I realized we were in danger and that there was no hope to make this situation with him better.

I ran back to my parents’ house, where I found no peace. My mother wanted to kick me out, my children turned to the street and my ex-husband would storm in threating us. I spent every day looking for work, until I found a job as a custodian at a school. Being able to provide for myself and my children gave me for the first time a sense of freedom and independence.

The new school principal became interested in my situation, and she referred me to the hotline of the Jordanian Women’s Union (JWU). I thought things would never change, but I was proven wrong. JWU gave me hope. They assigned me a lawyer and helped me to stand on my feet through psychological and financial support. I realized that change does not happen overnight, but it is possible. It is like a dream being able to feel safe here with my children.

My message to all those who cannot see hope is that there is a solution. Any woman who faces violence like I did should ask for help. JWU became my support system more than my family ever was and now I feel strong enough to overcome my fears.”

*Note: The name has been changed to protect the identity of the survivor.

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Story

20 November 2021

UNICEF highlights the climate crisis on World Children’s Day

Historical Petra and Waleh Dam have gone blue for World Children’s Day – UNICEF’s global day of action for children celebrated every year on 20th November – to bring attention to the child rights crisis that is climate change, especially the impact of water scarcity on children and youth in Jordan. Children and young people all over the country are joining their peers worldwide to speak out on the issues affecting their lives, from climate change and inequality, to mental health and education disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and calling on adults to build back a better world, especially for the most vulnerable children. “The climate crisis and water scarcity pose an unprecedented threat to the rights of all children and youth in Jordan. This World Children’s Day they are delivering a clear message to adults – we must act with urgency to protect their futures, said Tanya Chapuisat, Representative, UNICEF Jordan For World Children’s Day, UNICEF also unveiled the Big Changes Start Small mural in Amman focusing on water scarcity in Jordan. The mural created by young artist Batool Edais, aims to inspire children and youth to hold adults accountable for creating a safe and sustainable future and take an active role in creating and implementing the solutions needed to solve the climate crisis. Also, to mark the day, events and festivities took place across the country with children and youth in UNICEF-supported Makani centers, while the iconic heritage site Petra joined UNICEF’s global Go Blue campaign in support of child rights. World Children’s Day aims to raise awareness for the millions of children that are denied their right to adequate health care, nutrition, education and protection, and to elevate young people’s voices as critical to any discussions about their future.

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Press Release

12 January 2022

Launching the National Reproductive and Sexual Health Strategy for the Years (2020-2030 )

The Higher Population Council, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund, launched the National Reproductive and Sexual Health Strategy for the years (2020-2030), during a ceremony under the patronage of the delegate of the Minister of Health, Dr. Firas Al-Hawari, Secretary-General of Administrative and Financial Affairs in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Elham Khreisat,with the participation of the relevant national authorities. The Secretary-General of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Elham Khreisat, confirmed that Jordan has made important achievements in the field of reproductive health, especially in reducing the maternal mortality rate, by providing advanced health care for mothers in hospitals. She indicated that the ministry is working hard to improve the quality of health services provided, both preventive and curative, to raise the level of reproductive health services and implement the goals of the national agenda. She indicated that maternity, childhood and family planning services are provided free of charge in all centers affiliated with the Ministry, by qualified health cadres in about 520 centers. They include maternal care during pregnancy and after childbirth, childcare up to five years of age, family planning services, counseling services and health education. In addition to providing immunization services for pregnant mothers and children, early detection of breast cancer, and investigation of domestic violence. She added that the ministry provides health services to Syrian citizens and refugees living in remote areas, by expanding the provision of maternity and childhood services to include some sub-health centers in the north and central regions, where these centers now provide some maternal and child services such as vaccination, pregnant care, postpartum and family planning. Comprehensive referral centers have been approved and established in all governorates of the Kingdom and provided with the necessary medical devices and tools to evaluate and follow up high-risk pregnancies. The Secretary-General of the Higher Population Council, Dr. Abla Amawi, stressed that this strategy, which was prepared by the Council in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund, is a frame of reference for the various partners in Jordan, through which it is possible to develop, harmonize or include institutional plans. The necessary interventions to achieve comprehensive access to services and information Integrated reproductive and sexual health to contribute to the well-being of families in Jordan. She pointed out that the strategy is based on evidence, data and lessons learned from international, Arab and national reports and studies, and takes into account the specificity of the situation in Jordan with regard to the priorities of reproductive and sexual health issues. It will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030, especially the third goal on health and well-being. She identified that the desk review of studies, reports and strategies related to reproductive and sexual health, showed that there are a set of challenges to achieving reproductive and sexual health goals in Jordan, the most prominent of which is the limited integration between sexual and reproductive health programs and primary health care programs in health centers and women's services, and obstetrics in hospitals, shortage and weakness in programs that evaluate the level of sexual and reproductive health services currently provided in the public and private sectors, the extent to which service providers adhere to the approved protocols and the extent to which beneficiaries are satisfied with them, the weakness of sexual and reproductive health services provided to Syrian refugees, and the existence of financial, social, cultural and awareness barriers that prevent them from reaching these services, the weakness of services directed at sexual health and sexually transmitted diseases, and the health of adolescents and youth in government health centers, and the lack of an integrated package of basic services related to sexual and reproductive health directed to these age groups, and many other challenges. For his part, the United Nations Resident Representative in Jordan Anders Pedersen stressed that the United Nations Population Fund is working to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights remain at the heart of development, as the International Conference on Population and Development establishes a clear link between reproductive health, human rights and sustainable development. He added: "Failure to meet sexual and reproductive health needs deprives individuals of the right to make critical choices about their bodies and their future and will have a subsequent impact on the well-being of their families and future generations. Denial of these rights exacerbates poverty and gender inequality.” The strategy included four strategic objectives within four axes: the environment axis, through the development of supportive and enabling legislation and policies for integrated sexual and reproductive health issues, and the services and information axis, which is achieved by providing integrated sexual and reproductive health services and information of quality to the entire population (individuals) in all regions of the Kingdom, and the community axis, which deals with achieving positive societal trends, beliefs and behaviors towards reproductive and sexual health issues, in addition to the sustainability and governance axis, which focuses on developing integrated, institutionalized and sustainable sexual and reproductive health services and information within effective sector partnerships. The strategy was developed by following the strategic planning methodology that is based on broad participation, coordination and cooperation with all stakeholders through the involvement of all governmental and non-governmental institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, relevant scientific and research institutions, and donors working in Jordan in the field of sexual and reproductive health issues with the support of The United Nations Population Council, based on the analysis of the current reality of reproductive and sexual health issues, and its comparison with global indicators in this field. On the sidelines of the launch ceremony, several discussion sessions were held over two days, dealing with several topics related to the participation of the relevant authorities. The session on the first day dealt with the topic of "Implementing a Comprehensive Package of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services". On the second day, three discussion sessions will be held on the topics, quality of care: sexual reproductive health services, strengthening the health response to gender-based violence, and national standards for youth-appropriate sexual and reproductive health services.

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Press Release

13 January 2022

UNHCR welcomes new funding from Japan to support refugees in Jordan

As the Middle East continues to face challenges related to large-scale protracted displacement and the shock of COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Japan has renewed its commitment to support refugees in Jordan with USD 4,925,925. This contribution will allow UNHCR Jordan to further support the Government of Jordan and assist refugees who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR Jordan has observed an increase in gender inequality and gender-based violence as well as risks faced by children such as school drop-out and child labor. These compounded challenges are reversing years of progress achieved before the pandemic. In 2021, through the support of donors, UNHCR has been able to combat some of these effects through offering refugees both face-to-face and remote counselling to facilitate access to key services, and will continue to do so over the coming year. As such, the generous contribution from the Japanese government will enable UNHCR to provide protection services for refugees including the most vulnerable groups, such as children and gender-based violence survivors. Funding will also go towards improving shelter and enhance community-based protection mechanisms. “Increased vulnerability among refugee populations in Jordan necessitates a strong response. We welcome the support from the Japanese government, as we strive to offset the inequalities provoked by the pandemic” said UNHCR’s Representative in Jordan, Dominik Bartsch. In addition, funding from Japan will support UNHCR to strengthen its community-based approach to protection. Through a network of community centres located throughout the Kingdom, UNHCR seeks to actively engage refugees in decisions impacting their lives and strengthen links with Jordanian host communities. In the current context of COVID-19, community centres have been key to provide refugees with information about a range of services including health, protection, non-food item distributions and livelihood opportunities. UNHCR is grateful for the support from the Japanese people and welcomes the continued partnership with the Japanese embassy, to assist most vulnerable refugees in Jordan.

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Press Release

16 December 2021

SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid concludes mission to Jordan with call for unified response to end violence against children

During the visit, Dr. Najat met children, youth, women and communities who are being empowered to exercise their rights and participate in a violence-free environment for all children, as well as consulting with Government, non-governmental organizations, civil society, international agencies and donors.. Concluding her mission, Dr. Najat highlighted that in 2022, the Government of Jordan will submit its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) on SDGs at the High-Level Political Forum and the Amman Voluntary Local Review (VLR) – the first VLR in Arab region. Those Voluntary Reviews are a critical part of the accountability architecture for the SDGs. Reporting on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an excellent opportunity to assess progress made in ending violence against children and to move away from silo and unsustainable approaches and implement an integrated system, including child, gender, disability sensitive social and child protection services, parenting support, access to safe learning, healthcare including mental health, as well as justice. This integrated approach echoes the interdependence of children’s rights and of the SDGs. “Investing in children’s protection, development and wellbeing cannot wait. Investing in children is essential for building an inclusive, peaceful, just and resilient society that keeps children safe from harm and leaves no one behind,” said Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, SRSG on Violence against Children. The Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs, Dr. Mohammad Fakhri Makdadi, stressed on the urgent need for the endorsement of Child’s Rights Law, which will enable Jordan to fulfil its international legal obligation under Convention on the Rights of the Child as well it will further enable Jordan to address existing legislative gaps that have emerged in the mechanisms of granting the rights to children.” “We need to protect children and young people from harm. All violence against children is preventable. The Government has committed itself to prepare the Voluntary National Review (VNR) for presentation at the High-Level Political Forum in July 2022, which is a key opportunity to identify ways to accelerate the Sustainable Development Agenda and children’s rights while “building forward better,” Said Anders Pedersen the UN Resident and Humanitarian for the UN in Jordan. “The SRSG-VAC’s mission has reinforced the importance of making ending the prevalence of violence against children a whole of Government and whole of society priority,” said Tanya Chapuisat, Representative, UNICEF Jordan. “Investing in the protection of younger generations will allow future generations to flourish, allowing children to grow into healthy and productive adults.”

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Press Release

15 December 2021

FAO launches a project to formulate a sustainable aquaculture strategy in Jordan

In line with a technical cooperation agreement signed between the three parties last month, FAO conducted an inception workshop to acquaint stakeholders and programme partners with the scope and outlines of the project entitled: “Support the formulation of Sustainable Aquaculture Strategy in Jordan". The workshop also covered the implementation strategy and work plan. The workshop was under the patronage of his Excellency Mr. Nasser Shraideh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and attended by representatives from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the National Agricultural Research Center, in addition to the Association of Fish Breeders and Marine Biology, and the Jordan Aquaponics Association. The objective of the project is to support the Government of Jordan in developing proper planning and sector management tools for sustainable aquaculture development to contribute to increasing fish productivity in rural agricultural communities and the private sector through the development of well-managed technical practices and the strengthening of technical capabilities in aquaculture innovation - Including training on biologically secure fish farms and solar energy - solar powered fish farms, water recycling systems using high-tech filters and treatment to reduce water consumption through establishing a pilot Fish hatchery project). The overall and long-term impact of the project is to increase national production of fish products, and to contribute to food security through the availability of an important local source of animal protein. FAO Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, said, “Aquaculture in small farmer systems provides high quality animal protein and essential nutrients, especially for nutritionally vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and lactating women, infants and preschoolers. It also provides this protein at prices generally affordable to the poorer segments of the community.” “It creates ‘own enterprise’ employment, including jobs for women and children, and provides income through sale of what can be relatively high value products.” Added Assaf. On behalf of the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, H.E Dr. Marwan Al-Refai, confirmed "this project comes within the framework of the implementation of Jordan National Food Security Strategy that was recently adopted by the government. It is an innovative pilot project that will enable us to test the possibilities of spawning and raising fish on land using sea water, providing the required knowhow, and identifying the strengths and challenges that it might encounter.’ He also praised the role of FAO in promoting agricultural development, food security and climate adaptation in Jordan. Mr. Abdullah Abu Al-Awali from ASEZA stated, “The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority is fully confident that this project, will contribute to achieving the goals of protecting the marine environment and fish wealth in the Gulf of Aqaba. It will also enable the authority to assess the success of fish farming operations on land and to identify the challenges in this field.” He added that “it is anticipated that this project will contribute to strengthening and raising the capabilities of the fishermen community and local cadres in Aqaba in the field of fish farming.”

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