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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05 April 2022

Meet 4 women and girls on the forefront of climate action in Jordan

Women and girls are impacted by climate change. But they are also at the forefront of tackling this impact in their communities. Meet four women and girls from Jordan, who lead the fight against climate change in different ways. Awareness Layan Al Bairouti: “…raising awareness is key to protecting the environment..” “I believe that raising awareness is key to protecting the environment, that’s why the idea of creating this video occurred to me,” said Layan Al Bairouti, a Palestine refugee student at the UNRWA Baqa’a Preparatory Girls’ School in Jordan. Layan entered her environmental awareness video to the UNICEF Environmental Project under the theme “reducing plastic”. Representing her school, Layan’s video ranked first out of 300 submissions in the Middle East and North Africa region. “I decided to create the animation video because I wanted to address my peers in a different way and inspire them to be, like me, interested in protecting the environment,” said Layan. Her short, animated video included her fellow eighth graders and enabled them to share their voices and deliver the important message of climate action for a better environment. The video showcased some environmentally friendly best practices, such as reducing the use of single use plastic and recycling. In her video, Layan also encourages community action to reduce pollution, which harms both animals and environment. “I feel sad when I see on the TV and on the internet the negative impact of plastic waste on our planet’s wildlife.” Layan added, “We can change that. We need to save our planet. It’s our responsibility.” Read Layan’s full story as originally published on UN Jordan website Agriculture Aida Salameh: “I hope to build a more sustainable life for our families and community” Aida Salameh Khalil Al-Rawajfeh, 49, joined the UN Women’s Oasis Centre in Tafilah, southern Jordan, as an agriculture trainer to be able to provide for her family. As an experienced and passionate farmer, she provides lectures and trainings on agriculture to women in her community, encouraging them to start their own businesses. “Agriculture has always been my passion. My grades were not high enough for me to enroll in a bachelor's program, but this did not stop me from obtaining my diploma in vegetable production. I had a few months of experience as a vocational trainer in schools, but it was not permanent. I wanted to continue my higher education, and my husband was supportive, but it was not possible as we could not afford it. I stayed home for many years taking care of my family until I learned about the work opportunities at the Oasis Centre through a WhatsApp group for women in Tafilah. My strong interest in agriculture and knowing that the Oasis Centre is a safe space for women and girls encouraged me to apply. I also own a greenhouse and thought it would be good to share my knowledge with other women in the community. At the Oasis, I train fellow women on the basics of agriculture, as well as planting and plowing. The training also includes the benefits of greenhouse, utilizing different tools and equipment, how to plant crops and use fertilizers to maximize productivity, so women can start applying their skills in their own farm work. I also teach them about poly-agriculture, a sustainable way to grow different types of produce on the same piece of land which improves the property of soil by stabilizing nitrogen.” Said Aida. Read Aida’s full story as originally published on UN Women website Energy Basma Al-Shatti : “…the local community in rural areas are the most affected by climate change…” Women in Jordan have a significant role in the sustainable energy sector but are limited at the same time as these sectors are mainly occupied by men, hence limiting the role of women in governance and technical roles, as well as their participation in developing gender responsive policies. As the most impacted, women are also a critical part of the solution, and women in Jordan are leading the efforts against climate change through adaptation, mitigation, and evidence-based response. On the fifth floor in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in the capital of Jordan, Amman sets Basma Al-Shatti as the head of the Corporate Social Responsibilities Division in the Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF). As an engineer, Basma never thought that she will be leading such a vital position in the Ministry. From Deir Alla Near Eastern town in Balqa Governorate, Basma started her journey to leading climate action in the energy sector at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Basma is a mother of two girls, she obtained a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Jordan. “Back then it was crucial for me to work hard and get a scholarship to obtain my bachelor’s degree. my passion to work in mechanics, production, and energy was a future path for me that I wanted to achieve that”, Basma said. Basma leads an important division in the Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund which serves as a connection point between the community and the fund. The fund leads national efforts to optimize and utilize energy consumption by providing the necessary funding to advance and implement sustainable solutions to enhance energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy in coordination with local and international institutions and stakeholders. Basma manages and oversees the projects that are implemented under the fund, with her background experience in managing projects and the energy sector her role was a crucial one in the ministry. The energy sector is one of the main contributors to climate change globally, and the main source of emissions in Jordan, where it contributes to over 76% of total national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2016 “the local community in rural areas are the most affected by climate change, and through the division, we look at opportunities where we can minimize the energy consumption in these areas through installing solar panels”, Basma added. “I want people to look at me as a qualified engineer in the energy sector, who is an expert in the field, and not criticize or observe me as a woman”, Basma said. As the head of the division in the ministry, she runs two main projects in Amman, one of them being with the healthcare sector. The Covid-19 pandemic has imposed several obstacles to the healthcare system and energy consumption plays a major role in these institutions and the services they provide. The Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF). has provided these institutions with sustainable measures for cooling and heating such as photovoltaic systems which transform solar energy into renewable electricity. Read Basma’s full story as originally published on UNDP website Water conservation Samahir: “Everyone should cooperate to save water” For Syrian refugee Samahir, everyone should cooperate to save water. Samahir, who lives in Zaatari Camp, uses a plastic basin to save water for planting. “Any water you save is good. Greywater does not harm plants; it is harmless. As long as water is clean, it can’t do any damage. A small amount of water can do wonders. Samahir’s garden is full of green and plants. Saving water is for the climate change and the harsh conditions here in the camp,” said Samahir. Watch a video story of Samahir as originally published on UNHCR YouTube channel.

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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

29 September 2022

Young Jordanians tackle food security challenges through innovation

As the effects of climate change and global crises continue unfold, food insecurity has become a challenge facing more and more countries around the world. In Jordan, young people are coming together and using local innovations to address systemic food security issues facing their communities and overcome the various factors including slow economic growth, high youth unemployment, water scarcity and increased cost of living that are driving the current food crisis. UNICEF and WFP have joined forces to support these youth-led efforts to tackle food insecurity and create more opportunities for youth entrepreneurship and green innovation across the nation. As a country with one of the youngest populations in the world, (63% under the age of 30), it is crucial that UN teams help mobilize young people in nation-wide efforts to address food insecurity. The joint UNICEF-WFP initiative provides young innovators in Jordan with a range of different capacity-building programmes in entrepreneurship and innovation within the food security sector. The programme spans the whole innovation cycle, from the early stages of coming up with a concept, to implementation and scaling up to turn ideas into action. The young innovators received training on the implications of food insecurity, opportunities and challenges directly linked to food security, the role of technology in shaping the future of food, strategies for changing the traditional food chain, production, distribution, processing, marketing, consumption and digital marketing With ideas ranging from addressing solid waste, to recycling fruit and vegetable peels to developing healthy school meal alternatives; a group of 22 young Jordanians between the ages of 18 and 26 participated in a joint Youth in Food Security Innovation Programme to help them launch start-ups working on food security solutions in Jordan. “Gold Sands” Aya Kreik is a young innovator and architectural student from Amman. Together with her team of fellow students, Aya developed a project which effectively converted farm waste into organic fertilizers. These fertilizers were rich in nutrients, helping to revive the soil and encourage farmers to avoid using the harmful chemical alternatives. “My innovation idea aims to increase plants’ immunity to diseases and helps the soil to retain water in a large proportion, which reduces the amount of irrigation water needed. A modern method for treating waste and does not produce greenhouse gases”. Aya explained. “We started our project at the beginning of the pandemic. With the lockdowns, we thought of ideas to become self-sufficient when it comes to food.” Aya explained why the demand for more sustainable food consumption in Amman is so high. “The Jordanian Capital, Amman, is a very crowded city and there are no available spaces for farming. In addition, not all people are interested in healthy and organic food, because of lack of awareness and high prices. So, we were determined to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of this [organic] food. “ “I am proud of where I got to today. We are about to start the first multiple-output, women-led farm in Jordan. We, young people, need to think out of the box and come up with new ideas related to environmental sustainability,” said Aya. Ar-ena Banking and Finance graduate Alaa, and Business Intelligence student Nourhan, decided to create a joint start-up that produces self-watering and self-feeding plants using only air. They produced a new type of hydrogel, consisting of self-absorbing polymers that can transform moisture in the air into pure water, with an infinite number of uses. “I started the project with Norhan as a business developer and entrepreneur. Our goal is not to make money, but to leave an impact and change people’s lives. Climate change is having direct impacts on food security, the air we breathe and the water we drink. We all need to take action. “Our next step is to turn this idea into a reality. And we are considering further exploring environmental businesses. Our environment is a great resource, and we can use it sustainably,” said Alaa. FIFA Organic Capsule For Fatima, a 20-year-old pharmacy student and one of the participants in the UNICEF-WFP training, her love for plants encouraged her to come up with an innovative solution to increase agriculture production levels and help tackle the systemic food security issues facing the country. Fatima developed an organic agricultural capsule which helps farmers increase their agricultural productions. “I have always liked plants, and this project matches my love for them and my education. During the COVID-related lockdowns, I had plenty of free time and I tried to use it creatively.” “It was very challenging to create the capsule. It took me more than a month to figure out. I believe that as soon as you get an idea, you need to make use of it and begin implementing it without any delay. Believe in your idea, and it will turn into reality using your innovative efforts,” said Fatima. Limonine Agricultural Engineer Alaa Thalji is another young innovator who participated in the joint UNICEF-WFP training. Her project focuses on recycling the peels of fruits and vegetables to produce a chemical polymer which removes 99% of the heavy metals found in water. She explains that she came up with the idea during her second year of university. “I took a class called Environmental Chemical Pollutants, that introduced us to the danger's pollutants pose to our health. And another class called Drinking Water Treatment, where our professor kept telling us how water containing heavy metals cannot be used for drinking purposes. Here I thought about the many water sources that we unfortunately cannot make use of, and I started working on a chemical polymer that is organic and safe, made from the peel of citrus fruits, that removes heavy metals from water by 99%.” The joint programme was a successful way of helping young innovators in Jordan identify problems in their own communities and use their entrepreneurial skills and solutions to overcome them. UNICEF and WFP continue focus on employing tools of innovation to achieve sustainable development impact. The partnership also reflects both agencies’ commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and a shared strategic direction to employ innovation for development, while also supporting the green economy and community-based solutions in Jordan.

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Story

22 September 2022

From Where I Stand: “Looking forward, the most important thing for me is to keep growing and learning.”

Salam Al-Alo, 27, sought refuge in Jordan in 2013. After working as a site supervisor at the UN Women Oasis Centre in Za’atari Refugee Camp, she continues to volunteer at the place that she believes helped her find herself. “My name is Salam Al-Alo and I am 27 years old. I am from Daraa, Syria and arrived in Jordan in 2013. I came with my husband and his family. I did not have children at the time, but I was pregnant. I had a miscarriage on the way to Jordan because of the difficult circumstances we suffered from. We have been here at the camp for 9 years and I now have two daughters and a son. I heard about the Oasis Centre from women in the camp- the community that I live in. I was told that it was an ‘oasis’ where women can be comfortable. People’s experiences at the Oasis were very positive. I was told that it is different from any other place because it is just women, and this encouraged me to apply. I joined the Oasis Centre in July 2021 as a site supervisor. I was responsible for the women here, and the place in general. At first, my husband was opposed to the idea of me working, but he was convinced immediately after listening to other women’s experiences. My work here has also taught me to become stronger. I would like to especially thank Ms. Rawan who supported me in my journey of growing as a person. Now I feel that I can face any challenge and tackle it with my strong personality. I used to often feel anxious and scared before, but that is no longer the case. I strongly encourage other women to come to the Oasis Centre. Working truly helps you grow and develop as a person. You feel like a productive member of the society. It makes you feel like your identity is about more than just your children and your home. You are no longer restricted to a certain role. You go out, you meet people, people meet you… you provide support to others and receive it yourself. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was particularly difficult. Schools were closed and we felt suffocated. However, the work I do enabled me to afford private tutors for my children. I could not have paid for their education if it was not for my work here. I was also able to provide my kids with decent food and clothing. My experience at the Oasis helped improve my living standards. Comparing the first and second halves of the last year, we felt emotionally drained for the first six months. The COVID pandemic was exhausting and I could not go out or interact with anyone because I was scared for my children’s health. Things improved upon joining the Oasis Centre. I could also take my children with me to work, which is a great thing about the Oasis Centre as I do not have to worry about them while on the job. My rotation on the job has been completed but I continue as a volunteer. I have found myself here. I am also taking courses and am particularly interested in English and ICDL at the moment. Looking forward, the most important thing for me is to keep growing and learning. I want to progress further and work again so that I can support others with the same opportunities that were given to me.” Generously supported by the Governments of Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, and Italy, as well as UN Women National committees under the ‘Eid bi Eid’ pooled fund mechanism, the UN Women’s Oases are centres for building women’s resilience and empowerment through enabling access to sustainable livelihood opportunities and multi-sectoral services, while also engaging men and boys in dialogue and mobilization for gender equality. Salam’s story relates to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which promotes peace and security, and SDG 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

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Story

23 August 2022

From Where I Stand: “Keep trying, once, twice, three times or more, as needed. The experience is worth it.”

Nuwwar Naser, 27, joined the UN Women Oasis Centre in Za’atari Refugee Camp as an administrative supervisor to provide for herself and her husband. The experience allowed her to overcome personal challenges and take care of herself, including her mental health. Working in management has also taught her strength of character, which is one of the reasons why she encourages other women to work. “The situation in Syria with the army was difficult. We heard many stories about how women and girls were being assaulted, so we had to leave. In 2014, I came here with my mother, my father, and my sister. We came through the borders and directly got to the camp. Our life here at the camp has been good; we have been happy. I spent almost ten years applying to different jobs on health awareness, data entry, office management, at libraries, kindergartens, reception offices, and other places. However, none of them worked out. The interviews were particularly difficult for me. The biggest challenge was favouritism at times. Whoever knew someone or had certain connections would often get the job. As a result, I could not find the right opportunity before joining the Oasis Centre and my work there was my first job. I learned about the Oasis Centre through other women and neighbours, that UN Women trains women for work. I needed the money as I had recently gotten married, and my husband requires treatment which can be quite expensive. Since my husband does not work, I need to provide for the both of us. I also gained courage upon joining the Oasis Centre. Before, I was quiet and shy and would not often socialize with any of the other women. With time, I believe that my character was strengthened. I definitely did not expect to become an administrator. I was planning to work with the loom or in reception. Initially, I signed my contract in sewing but was placed as a manager after the UN Women staff learned that I had obtained my business degree from Al-Quds College in Jordan in 2018. I want to keep working in management. I like it. I feel like it offers one a certain kind of respect. It is important to work and take a break from the issues occurring at home. My mental state had been very bad when I did not have anywhere to go. My husband and I would fight frequently. Coming to the Oasis Centre gives me time and space to take my mind off personal problems. I feel independent as I engage here. I have learned how to manage the Oasis Centre. I am very happy. It truly has changed my mental state. In the past, I was fixated on the idea that I might not be able to have children. I was introverted, but this is no longer the case. I encourage other women to apply for work, and to keep trying, once, twice, three times or more, as needed. The experience is worth it. It helps you, emotionally. When I look back, I realize how things are so different now. It is not necessarily about the money. My mental health has improved, and I have become more social.” Nuwwar enrolled in the UN Women’s Oasis Centre in the Za’atari refugee camp, which provides life-sustaining assistance to Syrian refugees through a holistic approach to women’s economic and social empowerment, and protection – specifically through access to education and skills development. Her work contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as well as SDG 8, which seeks full and productive employment and decent work for all. This initiative is generously supported by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

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17 August 2022

A shot at a brighter future

“I had to drop out of school in Grade 10 to support my family,” says 20-year-old Momen. “But I never wanted to leave. All I could think about while working was the day I could go back to education.” As a school drop-out, Momen found himself unqualified for skilled work and working long hours cleaning tables in a local restaurant for low wages just to keep food on his family's table. His situation is similar to a large number of young people in Jordan who struggle to find meaningful work and a decent income in an economy with slow growth and high rates of youth unemployment. Making the situation even more challenging is the serious mismatch between young people's skills and the current demands of the job market - a situation impacting even the most well educated youth. “I wanted to save my future and I knew that the work I was doing was not the answer," Momen, 20 Although eager to expand his horizons, Momen initially felt lost (“I didn’t have a great education. I had no skills,” he explains) until he discovered he was eligible for a UNICEF scholarship, supported by the PROSPECTS partnership from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Luminus Technical University College (LTUC). When offered a place on the electrical skills course, he wasn't immediately convinced that being an electrician was the right career for him. But, determined to improve his life, he took a chance. “I threw myself into it and, thankfully, the passion and dedication of the amazing teachers here rubbed off on me,” he says, beeming. Now, Momen is the first student to arrive for class every day. Six months into the course and Momen is already close to having the right skills to enter the job market. “There are really not enough words for me to use to show how grateful I am to every single person who has been involved in giving me this opportunity. “Everyone has believed in me and now I truly believe that there is hope for me thanks to this course." The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the PROSPECTS partnership, is empowering a new generation of young job seekers through its support for the UNICEF Learning to Earning programme, helping young people from vulnerable communities to develop transferable, job ready skills and find meaningful employment.

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04 August 2022

Eight years since its establishment, Azraq camp is a home for 40K refugees

AZRAQ, Jordan – More than eight years, since Azraq refugee camps was established to receive Syrian refugees, the camp has become a home for some, while others are looking for an opportunity to be resettled to a third country or a durable solution for the Syria crisis to return to their country. “I was moved by the refugees’ resilience after 8 years of hard life in the camp,” said Ghulam M. Isaczai, the UN Resident Coordinator a.i and Humanitarian Coordinator following a visit to the camp, where he met with families and toured facilities for a firsthand experience on services provided there. “Our UN agencies and humanitarian partners are doing an incredible job on the ground. However, there is a limit to that as more funding and resources are needed to sustain and improve these services,” Isaczai stressed. The Azraq Refugee Camp, located some 100km east of Amman near the eponymous town in Zarqa Governorate, is currently a home for approximately 40,000 refugees. Jordan hosts 760,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR. Of those, some 670,000 are from Syria, making Jordan the No. 2 host of Syrian refugees per capita globally behind Lebanon. Azraq opened in April 2014, two years after the establishment of the Za’atari Camp, which hosts 80,000 refugees. The United Nations provides an array of services to refugees both in camps and host community including protection, food and cash assistance, primary healthcare among others. In Azraq Camp, services provided to refugees include: Food security & Nutrition WFP provides refugees living in camps with JOD 23 (approximately USD 32) per person every month through cash transfers, which can be used to buy food from a large variety of items in two WFP-contracted supermarkets and four bread shops in the camp. Protection UNHCR is the leading protection agency in the camp. Protection team carry out different activities including monitor and address urgent protection concerns, provide counselling on access to services and assistance, answer refugees inquire over protection hotline. Education UNICEF supports the Ministry of Education (MOE) to guarantee access to education for all children in the six school complexes (15 schools and 4 standalone KG centres) in Azraq camp. A total of 11,347 children from KG2 to Grade 12 (50 per cent female) are enrolled in formal education, according to the MOE EMIS 2021-2022, and 205 children (48 per cent female) are enrolled in MOE-accredited non-formal education Drop-out programme according to NFE monthly figures, updated in May 2022. Health Four primary healthcare centres (PHCC) operate in Azraq camp, while healthcare services are offered through two comprehensive clinics, two basic clinics and one hospital with a weekly average of 5,597 consultations in the five camp facilities, 51 referrals to secondary and tertiary emergency life-saving cases to facilities outside the camp and an average of 19 live births per week. WASH A supply of 2,450 m3 per day of clean and safe water is maintained through the summer season in Azraq camp. Desludging activities continued across the camp to ensure safe disposal of wastewater and prevention of contaminations. UNICEF completed the pilot project with installing 36 tap stands at the plot level in Azraq camp successfully and received positive and constructive feedback from community. Feedback from the community will be used for the camp-wide water network extension. The project also includes the installation of a third borehole in Q3 of 2022 that will increase the amount of water supplied to residents in the camps to meet their needs especially during high demand seasons. Shelter UNHCR allocates shelters to refugees, conducts regular monitoring to assess the current shelter situation and updates the shelter allocation system accordingly to ensure accurate and easy shelter allocation process. Access to Energy In 2017, Azraq refugee camp was the first refugee camp in the world to open a solar power plant, providing power and electricity to the camp’s 40,000 inhabitants. The grid-connected solar plant, split into three phases with a total capacity of 5 MWp, saves up to USD 2.75m per year in electricity consumption costs and reduces CO2 emissions by 6300 tons per year. Livelihoods There are possible forms of income generating opportunities in Azraq refugee camp including Incentive-based Volunteering Scheme (IBVs), Private business on the local market (Souq), Work Permits, and Home-Based Businesses (HBBs). As of 30 June, 4,260 work permits are registered in the work permit database including 1,210 for females.

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Press Release

27 September 2022

United Nations in Jordan launches its first “Youth Advisory Council”

The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday announced the establishment of its first Youth Advisory Council (UNYAC) in Jordan, which will serve as an advisory board to inform the work of the UN on youth affairs in the Kingdom. The Council is established in alignment to the UN Youth Strategy 2030, which seeks to significantly to strengthen the UN’s capacity to engage young people and benefit from their views, insights and ideas. In addition, the Council, established in collaboration with the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF), will support national and UN-led advocacy and initiatives including on the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and will engage in raising awareness on gender, peace, and human rights in different governorates of the Kingdom. “Decisions that involve young people cannot be done in the absence of their voices and participation. Thus, youth empowerment and engagement in decision-making is a key priority for the United Nations”, said Mr. Ghulam M. Isaczai, UN Resident Coordinator a.i and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan. He added that the Council announced today is part of the UN’s commitment to engage and listen to the voices of young people in Jordan. It also provides an opportunity to assist them with developing stronger leadership skills. “This Council is part of our clear commitment to ensure that young people in Jordan fully and meaningfully participate in our work and are empowered and advise us on priorities and what matters to them, and to their lives and their future”. Dr. Tamam Mango, CEO of the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF) said: “On behalf of the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF), we are honored to host this unique initiative at the premises of our university, Al Hussein Technical University, which fosters a pioneering model in technical education. CPF strives to always provide diverse and relevant opportunities for the youth of Jordan”. She added: “CPF is proud to be part of the establishment of the first UN Youth Advisory Council to support young leaders and their institutions. We believe that this Council is a testament to the collaborative efforts of different organizations and will allow for better integration and the systematic scale of what were previously individual efforts. In essence this networking will allow us to better achieve our collective goals of diversity and inclusion. The Council is comprised of 13 members— who are all between the ages of 15 and 24 years old — include aspiring students, business developers, startups, innovators, and human rights advocates. Members of the Youth Council will serve for a period of two years. The Council, which is gender balanced, is comprised of members from different social, demographic, educational and economic backgrounds and with different capacities. It also includes in its membership persons with disability and refugees from both urban and camp-settings. The Council will be acting as a platform, through which youth’s needs can be addressed, their voices can be amplified, and their engagement can be advanced.

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Press Release

22 September 2022

FAO conducts a workshop on the Good Emergency Management Practice Bio-Threat in Jordan

Amman, 18 September 2022 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) launched today a workshop on the Good Emergency Management Practice - Bio-Threat (GEMP-BT). The workshop is tailored to veterinary services and law enforcement agents from Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon to present the new approach and notions of Good Emergency Management Practice (GEMP) and a brand new module addressing the risk of bio-threats, under the project “Building resilience against agro-terrorism and agro-crime threats to animal health.” The workshop was under the patronage of his Excellency Eng. Khaled Al-Hunaifat, Minister of Agriculture and was attended by partners, Jordanian and Regional veterinarians and relevant stakeholders. The GEMP-BT training, which was implemented by an FAO team and a representative from the OIE regional office, with INTERPOL supporting remotely, enabled participants to gain an understanding of the significance of potential biological threats to animal health and production; apply the GEMP methodology to preparing to respond to agro-terrorism and agro-crime; become familiar with the prerequisites for prevention, surveillance, detection and response to agro-terrorism and agro-crime, and adapt them to specific contexts and situations; and understand the specifics of handling, securing and tracing evidence. The FAO Representative in Jordan Eng. Nabil Assaf, said, “FAO, the World Organization for Animal Health and INTERPOL are partners in this international project to build sustainable global resilience towards animal health emergencies caused by terrorism and agricultural crime.” He added that, “FAO's Emergency Management Center for Animal Health has begun holding training programs on Good Emergency Management Practices, a reference document on key principles that help veterinary services standardize and improve their ability to prepare and respond quickly and appropriately to animal health emergencies. This tool is complemented by a module that specifically addresses aspects of surveillance and response to criminal or terrorist acts that require cooperation between veterinary services and law enforcement.” Dr Ghazi Yehia. OIE Regional Representative for the Middle East stated that, “The World Organization for Animal Health actively supports its members to all hazards and multi-sectoral approach to plan for emergencies including animal health emergencies that might originate from crime and even terrorism.” On behalf of HE Eng. Khaled Hnaifat, Minister of Agriculture, the Chief Veterinary Officer at the MoA, Eng. Issam Hawwa, said, “The Ministry of Agriculture is developing many long-term strategies for the agricultural sector and its various fields, such as the National Strategy for Agricultural Development 2016-2025.therefore, the MoA has prepared the national strategy for managing crises and disasters in the agricultural sector by taking several strategic steps, the most important of which is analyzing and evaluating the reality of the Ministry of Agriculture’s handling of these crises and identifying the general challenges that the ministry can face. ” The project “Building resilience against agro-terrorism and agro-crime threats to animal health.” is funded by the Global Affairs Canada and implemented by a consortium gathering the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Criminal Police organization (INTERPOL) and is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordan Armed Forces. Through its activities, including this workshop, the project aims to strengthen collaboration between veterinary and law enforcement authorities to build sustainable global and regional capacity in the event of an animal health emergency resulting from an act of agro-terrorism or agro-crime against animals. Middle East is one of the three-targeted regions together with North Africa and Southeast Asia, and Jordan has been selected as a pilot country. It is expected that many countries will benefit from the outcomes of this innovative project.

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Press Release

22 September 2022

FAO/EBRD in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture conduct trainings on best practices on olive oil milling and olive oil quality

Amman, 14 September, 2022- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and with the support of the European Union (EU), are organizing two training sessions on best practices in olive oil production for key players in Jordan’s olive oil sector. Participants in the training include policy-makers, government officials, large and small millers, and international business leaders, specialists from development institutions and investors. The trainings are organized specifically with the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers and the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI). The objectives of this training on milling best practices is to raise awareness among MoA’s agroengineers and mill technicians on the best practice to adopt and pitfalls to avoid in order to produce extra virgin olive oil. From harvesting, transportation, milling to storage, the international expert will go through the different steps of the production process and provide information on the practices to adopt, for example setting up the equipment and the variables to control during the production process, and their impact on the final quality of the product in terms of chemical and organoleptic properties of the oil. The training will be complemented by olive oil tasting sessions, as it is key for millers to also be able identify the positive and negative attributes in the olive oil. As a result of the training, millers would have consolidated knowledge on the production best practices on milling efficiency and olive oil tasting. This will allow developing the domestic market and improving the visibility of Jordan olive oil on international markets as a producer of extra virgin olive oil. This initiative is part of a project supporting the olive oil sector by developing sustainable value-chains through knowledge products and technical assistance under the EBRD-EU Value Chains Competitiveness Programme to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This programme draws on valuable experience in analyzing and addressing key constraints to the agri-food sector’s development in the SEMED region, in particular in the olive oil value-chain (Morocco, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza Strip). Within this project, the FAO Investment Center, in cooperation with the FAO Representation in Jordan, prepared a sector review study to assess the performance of the sector, its opportunities and gaps for transforming the olive oil sector. The sector review will be discussed at the beginning of next month with officials from the public and private sector. In terms of technical assistance, several workshops have been already conducted for olive oil SMEs, including a virtual training on differential strategies on international markets and on olive oil production best practices along the value-chain. The project also contributed to an evaluation of farming practices in selected olive producing farms. The FAO Representative in Jordan, Engineer Nabil Assaf, stated, "Olives constitute 20% of the total cultivated areas with an estimated area of 570,000 dunums and 72% of the total fruit trees. Olive oil is one of the principal agri-food products in Jordan and a strategic crop from an environmental and socio-economic perspective as it is estimated to provide employment to about 80 000 households.The olive oil industry is an important source of employment for rural Jordanians. The country produces an average of 23,400 tonnes of olive oil per year, but most is sold in bulk to domestic consumers.” The Director of the Olive Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Osama Kattan, said, "The government of Jordan, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, has sought to support the olive sector, given the increasing importance of the olive sector in the national economy, and in coordination with all official and private agencies that deal with the olive tree and olive oil in cultivation and manufacturing and trade within a well-established institutional base, in addition to coordinating with international institutions operating in Jordan to take advantage of their capabilities in serving this sector.” Within the framework of the training, Mr. Zidan Al-Manaseer, the General Manager of the Modern Jordanian Company for Food Industries, which is hosting the training, stressed the importance of this training to the mill owners before the oil production season, to improve the levels of modern machinery and to improve the quality of Jordanian olive oil. With demand for olive oil rising across the globe, Jordan’s olive oil sector has excellent potential to grow and tap into new markets, including export markets. And a stronger, more competitive olive oil industry would create jobs along the supply chain, especially for young people. FAO and the EBRD will build on the experiences gained during the trainings – including support for the promotion of better olive oil quality in Jordan – to foster dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors to achieve a more efficient and inclusive olive sector.

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Press Release

01 September 2022

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, H.E. Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt, visits PSD in Amman

Amman (Jordan) - On behalf of the Public Security Directorate of Jordan (PSD), Brigadier General Dr. Mutasem Abu Shatal, Acting Director of PSD, hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, H.E. Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt, at PSD’s headquarters in Amman on Monday, joined by the Representative of UN Women Jordan, Mr. Nicolas Burniat. The visit was part of the longstanding, multistakeholder partnership between the governments of Jordan and Norway in promoting the participation of women in the military and security sectors, which falls under Jordan’s National Action Plan to implement UNSCR 1325 (JONAP). In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Mutasem Abu Shatal expressed commitment of both the directorate and the country to women’s empowerment. “Today, we, at the PSD in particular, and in Jordan in general, view women as the foundations of each family, and institution. We support women in public security to reach the level of self-realization, unleash their energies, capabilities, and creativeness on the job, and to stand side by side with their fellow male colleagues in decision-making processes.” JONAP’s 2021 annual report highlighted the plan’s national ownership, which recorded a 1.63% increase in the number of uniformed women in the PSD. As for the percentage of women deployed in peacekeeping missions, the PSD saw an increase of 4.2%. The directorate’s implementation of Gender-Mainstreaming Strategies (2021-2024) and gender-responsive policies has also resulted in the appointment of 49 gender focal points and officers across all governorates. Mr. Nicolas Burniat commended the significant achievements made by PSD on strategic, tactical, and operational levels. “Jordan has been recognized as an example of national leadership for the effective localization of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The deployment of women police officers in the first line of response continue to make differences within the framework of peacekeeping operations, and UN Women looks forward to strengthening our partnership on the JONAP as we move to its second phase” said the UN Women Jordan Representative. H.E. Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt also lauded the partnership between Jordan and Norway in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. “I am delighted to be here today, as a close partner of the Jordanian National Action Plan (JONAP),” she said. “The increase in women’s participation in the security sector has played a crucial role in ensuring women’s perspectives and needs are taken into account in decision-making processes. The implementation of JONAP has set an example in the region and beyond, enabling more women to take responsible roles in society. To this end, I am pleased to announce Norway's commitment to JONAP II through the pooled fund, as we are very proud of the achievements made, especially towards women’s contribution to peacebuilding.” The Norwegian delegation was then briefed on the role of Family and Juvenile Protection Department in protection from and response to gender-based violence, the role of gender ambassadors, and the participation of women leaders in the directorate. The meeting also included a presentation by the Gender Office on the key results achieved under JONAP in collaboration with UN Women and the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW). The visit concluded with a discussion on the challenges and lessons learnt regarding women in leadership positions, in addition to future plans for implementing the PSD’s gender-mainstreaming strategy.

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Press Release

25 August 2022

Japan and UNOPS Contribute to Improved Healthcare Services in Jordan

Amman - August 24, 2022 – Representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, the Royal Medical Services (RMS) and UNOPS came together to mark the completion of the project which revitalized three critical RMS health facilities. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNOPS, the “Urgent Operational Capacity Support to the Royal Medical Services for COVID-19 Response” project aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of the RMS to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide critical health services. Under the project, UNOPS rehabilitated and equipped the emergency department at the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman, and rehabilitated the Intensive Care Units at Prince Zaid Hospital in Tafileh and Prince Ali Hospital in Karak, including upgrading of six isolation units. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Yousef Zreikat, Director General of the Directorate of the Royal Medical Services said: “Collaboration between the Government of Japan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been extensive in many fields. Healthcare in particular, has received a great deal of support in the form of training, exchange of knowledge and expertise, and renewing of some of our outdated medical facilities.” The Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, H.E. Mr. SHIMAZAKI Kaoru said: “Based on the solid bilateral relationship with Jordan, Japan has been providing supports to enhance the operational capacity of RMS since 2019, helped by close collaboration of JAF. In response to COVID-19 ramifications, the role of RMS is becoming increasingly crucial in Jordan’s health care system. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to RMS for their efforts in providing essential medical and humanitarian services not only to vulnerable Jordanians, but also to Syrian refugees to mitigate the various impacts of COVID-19.” “Today’s occasion is a testament of the strong partnership between the Government of Jordan, the Royal Medical Services, the Government and the people of Japan, and UNOPS - in supporting Jordan’s health sector and its capacities.”, said Muhammad Usman Akram, Director of UNOPS Multi-Country Office in Amman. The project contributes to SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

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