United Nations in Jordan

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18 May 2023

Ritsema-Anderson visits Hashemite University, emphasizes academic institutions role in accelerating the SDGs

15 May 2023

UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson opening remarks- “Enhancing resilience of rural women communities through Forest Products” workshop

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Speech

03 May 2023

UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson's openning remarks at a Workshop for civil society on Universal Periodic Review and engagement with the Treaty Bodies

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Latest

Story

18 May 2023

Ritsema-Anderson visits Hashemite University, emphasizes academic institutions role in accelerating the SDGs

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Speech

15 May 2023

UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson opening remarks- “Enhancing resilience of rural women communities through Forest Products” workshop

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Speech

03 May 2023

UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson's openning remarks at a Workshop for civil society on Universal Periodic Review and engagement with the Treaty Bodies

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The Sustainable Development Goals 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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18 May 2023

Ritsema-Anderson visits Hashemite University, emphasizes academic institutions role in accelerating the SDGs

Zarqa, Jordan - Hashemite University (HU) on Thursday hosted the UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, Ms. Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, where she toured the university's facilities and engaged with students and faculty. Prof. Fawwaz M. Al-Abed Al-Haq, President of Hashemite University, expressed appreciation for the visit and the opportunity to highlight the university's achievements. "We are delighted to welcome Ms. Ritsema-Anderson to our campus and share our commitment to sustainability and youth empowerment. Hashemite University strives to create a nurturing environment that not only educates but also instills a sense of responsibility towards our planet and community," said Prof. Al-Haq. He also briefed the guest on the university's solar energy projects, a pioneering initiative among Jordanian universities, and the university's role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. One of these projects, he explained, helps the university achieve 100% energy independence by providing over 8 GWh of electricity annually and eliminating more than 3,700 tons of CO2 emissions. During the visit, Ms. Ritsema-Anderson was briefed about other innovative projects on campus, including those related to water, energy, and agriculture. One such project is the Water Desalination Project, which efficiently desalinates saline water, producing 83 cubic meters per hour and surpassing the university's water consumption needs. She also toured the Youth Friendly Health Clinic, managed by the university's Faculty of Nursing in collaboration with UNFPA Jordan and the Royal Health Awareness Society (RHAS). The clinic plays a vital role in spreading health awareness among students, offering counseling and services related to sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, chronic diseases, and mental health, empowering youth to make informed decisions about their well-being. Ms. Ritsema-Anderson commended these achievements and the university's faculty and students for utilizing scientific research and innovation to address pressing challenges, such as climate change and water shortage. She also emphasized the meaningful youth participation and the contributions of academic institutions in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During her visit, the UN official also participated in a dialogue hosted by the University's International Relations and Law Faculty, where she briefed them about the UN's work in Jordan and answered their questions. ### The Hashemite University (HU) is a governmental university that was established by a Royal Decree in 1991. It is located 25 km northeast of Amman, near a major international highway in Zarqa Governorate. It includes 15 faculties that offer 56 and 42 undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively, and comprise 230 laboratories, all equipped with the latest technology. The University has expanded its infrastructure to match the expected increase in the students with a capacity to accommodate around 30,000 students with a total number of 95,000 graduates since establishment. The University has adopted the UN sustainable development goals through implementing renewable and sustainable energy. For instance, HU established the national seed bank project, the solar energy project, modern green building and the smart campus, and the desalination plant.

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29 March 2023

UNDP fosters food security, increases water use efficiency through hydroponic gardening

Jordan, Jerash – At the heart of Jerash, the Gaza camp is located five kilometers from the famous Roman ruins of Jerash covering an area of 0.75 square kilometers. From that camp, a 35-year-old Palestinian refugee young man is the founder of “Senera” (Arabic word for hook) a green business that seeks to empower women and youth entrepreneurs lacking access to job opportunities and farming land specifically in marginalized communities. “Senera” provides hydroponics farming solutions for rooftops and greenhouses that are using hydroponics technology in irrigation and small agricultural systems for houses resulting in reducing water use by on average 70% Senera additionally provides technical consultancies in the agricultural field. Mohammad Syam’s commitment is what pushed him to transform a promise into reality at the Gaza camp. His journey to bring “Senera” to life was long, tough, and an example of resilience. “It wasn’t easy when I first graduated from the university. The inability to work, being a refugee as well as being the sole caregiver for my family were all heavy burdens. And although the road ahead of me was long and bumpy, I was able to get through it so far”, Syam said. Over three years, Syam was faced with numerous obstacles when entering the marketplace, which is a difficult step for like-minded youth but more difficult for a young refugee. The story of “Senera” started when Mohammad met Abu Abdallah in the Gaza camp who was growing hydroponic crops on his own house rooftop. Both individuals realized the value of their efforts towards potentially addressing this concern, and very early on, started navigating approaches to build hydroponic household system producing food on unexploited surfaces in more than one house in the Gaza camp. Mohammad said, “Senera was more than a small green business for the camp, it was the essence for livelihoods, job opportunities and income generation for a number of households”. Syam’s commitment to bringing “Senera” to life meant he continuously looks for opportunities to grow “Senera” and upscale the work he is doing on the ground. As part of this effort, he applied a call for proposals to receive training and capacity building through UNDP’s SDG climate facility project "Scaling up Water Innovation for Climate Security in Northern Jordan”. Senera became one of the seven startups that were selected to receive a capacity-building program under the project which is implemented by UNDP Jordan and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) under the regional SDG Climate Facility project: Climate Action for Human Security in the Arab States. The UNDP project aims to develop entrepreneurial water security projects and capacitate innovative SMEs in the water sector to enhance an enabling local environment in the local market and contribute to the development of innovative solutions to realize water security. Through the UNDP project, “Senera” got the opportunity to implement five pilots of hydroponic systems in the Jarash and Mafraq governorates including a pilot in Jerash Special Needs Caring Center. Additionally, two rooftop hydroponic systems were installed in two households in both Mafraq and Jarash “Gaza Camp”. Mohammad’s idea was mainly to provide additional income to households and contribute to food security and foster sustainability. His objective was to present an alternative income for the household members through this pilot, which could generate an additional income of 100-150$ on a monthly basis. Senera aims to provide a full value chain starting from implementing the pilots, providing technical assistance, and connecting the beneficiaries with market channels to sell their products. Senara has currently eleven functional hydroponic systems including four household rooftops in the Gaza camp which are growing hydroponic crops; it also provides job opportunities for 34 young men and women. Additionally, in an attempt to upscale Senara’s work, the project established a site showcasing all the types of hydroponic systems while also providing technical training for those interested in entering the hydroponic market. Senera demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship and innovation that address complex local challenges, “It took six months for Senera to be registered officially, and this was a difficult challenge for me and the team”, Seyam adds. Entrepreneurs and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) represent the future of the economy in Jordan, and a key sector to create employment opportunities that could lead to economic development and national prosperity; they however face several challenges that are preventing them from growth. “Senera” is an example of passion and perseverance and hope for a better future that showcases the resilience of people communities and the environment.

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30 March 2023

Refugee women in Jordan donate for earthquake survivors

"I could not believe what happened in Syria. People were already suffering and now everyone has lost everything," says Syrian refugee Nour about the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. “I still have some family and friends in my home country, and although they were not directly affected, they are psychologically in distress after this catastrophe,” she added. One month after the devastating twin earthquakes in south-eastern Türkiye and northern Syria, the figures are staggering: at least 54,000 dead, 214,000 buildings collapsed or in danger of collapse, and there are still families living in tents, flimsy shelters and partially destroyed buildings. 34-year-old Nour Waleed Al Shaar is a refugee in Jordan who fled Damascus in 2013 with her husband and eldest daughter, a toddler at the time. Now, ten years later, she and her family have their home in Maan, South of Jordan, and she is a volunteer with the “Community Support Committees” that brings together host communities and refugees. The committees focus on enhancing and supporting the cohesion between both communities. Like a growing number of refugees in Jordan, Nour, too, felt it was time to act and share the little she has with others in dire need. Fatima Mohammad Saleh, a 37-year-old Syrian refugee, also wanted to help the survivors. Although she does not have much, she decided to donate to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. “A small gesture, a small action”, Fatima shrugs, “but added to other small actions, it will make a very big whole”. Fatima arrived with her family from Damascus ten years ago while pregnant with her first child and without having any relatives in Jordan. She knows first-hand what means to lose it all and receiving a helping hand in those critical moments. She volunteers at the “Women Empowerment Network” in Maan, which aim to raise awareness on women’s rights and support psycho-social wellbeing of refugee and Jordanian women and girls. The disaster caused by the two earthquakes is unseen in the area, and its consequences will probably last for years. The conditions of the survivors are now of outmost concern for the humanitarian community, including UNHCR, as more than two million people have been affected. The earthquakes have destroyed homes, livelihoods, and the local infrastructure and as the disaster occurred during the harsh winter months, families are struggling in the bitter cold and are in urgent need of shelter and relief items. “I am especially concerned about the children that lost their parents and the families that lost their houses,” Fatima says. “I feel lucky because I have a roof over my head, shoes on my feet and a place where my three kids and I feel safe,” she adds. “It’s time to take action,” she concludes. “When you put a grain of sand, it means you have done something to help”, Nour says, “even if it is only five Jordanian Dinar (some seven US$). “I do not want them to experience what I lived through”, she explains “I know what it means to live in a tent, I know what it means to lose everything and have nowhere to go.” “I trust UNHCR because I know the money will reach the right people. In my case, I am receiving cash assistance from them, so I know the funds reach those in need,” Nour stresses hinting at UNHCR providing shelter to the survivors. UNHCR is on the ground in Türkiye and Syria responding where possible with emergency supplies to earthquake survivors. In Türkiye, the provinces heavily affected by the earthquakes are also the ones in which refugees live in large numbers. UNHCR is working under the leadership of the Turkish authorities and with other UN agencies and is responding with urgently requested support to both refugees and host communities, including blankets, food packs, kitchen sets, mattresses, and tents. In Syria, UNHCR is coordinating the response with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners (including in Northwest Syria) and is delivering assistance to those in need. UNHCR has deployed tens of thousands of core relief items, including high-thermal blankets, mattresses, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, jerry cans and sleeping mats. UNHCR is also taking part in cross-border convoys bringing more desperately needed aid into North-West Syria. In addition to this, UNHCR has mobilize its stockpiles from the global warehouse in Jordan and airlifted 8,794 Tents and 2,592 blankets which have been delivered to Turkey – Adana (Incirlik mostly). The airlifts were conducted through donated flights facilitated by the Government of Jordan, Qatar, and Turkey. There are plans to ship over 1,000 tons of core relief items including blankets, kitchen sets, solar lamps, plastic sheets, sleeping mats and jerrycans.

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27 March 2023

Digital skills are transforming the future for girls in Jordan

“For the first time in my life, I started to feel a sense of responsibility, self-reliance and independence,” said 21-year-old Sireen Khaled from Amman, who got her first job in data collection and entry after completing a digital skills course supported by UNICEF. Sireen joined the Digital Skills for a Better Future programme at the encouragement of her mother, despite some initial reluctance on her part. “I was surprised how practical and engaging the course was and the access to freelance work opportunities really helped grow my self-confidence." UNICEF’s Digital Skills for A Better Future programme, in partnership with Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (MoDEE) and Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), equips vulnerable youth with basic and advanced digital skills and links them with income generating opportunities in both the formal and gig economy. “In the modern world, I think that learning English and digital skills are the most critical things we can do to improve our employment opportunities and our life in general," said Sireen. UNICEF is committed to working with and for girls and young women to bridge the gap between the skills girls need to be competitive in the 21st century, versus those they traditionally had access to. “My message to other girls and women is think beyond the traditional path of getting a university degree,” said Sireen. “Digital skills are so important for girls in today's world and they are easy to learn! Be self-confident and persistent, regardless of the difficulties and challenges you face.” UNICEF’s Digital Skills for a Better Future programme is generously supported by funding from Chloé, the European Union, KfW, and the Government of the Netherlands through the Prospects partnership.

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27 March 2023

WFP empowers women through agricultural activities

Asmahan found herself as a sole provider for her family after her husband became unemployed due to illness. With some initial hesitation, she decided to apply for a job at the Ministry of Agriculture’s site in Jerash, a city in northern Jordan participating in the MADAD project, a joint effort between the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Funded by the European Union (EU), the project aims to enhance resilient livelihoods and food security for more than 260,000 Jordanians and Syrian refugees. Through her employment, Asmahan was able to receive training and acquire valuable experience in various agricultural methods such as removing weeds to control fire hazards, soil preparation, plantation, irrigation and harvesting. For more than fifty years, WFP has been a valuable partner in Jordan, providing strategic and operational assistance to the Jordanian government, while bolstering the capabilities of national institutions, policies, and programmes. Through a diverse range of initiatives, WFP is addressing the impacts of climate change and the needs of refugees, while also providing livelihood support to the most vulnerable Jordanians. By taking on this opportunity, Asmahan not only became financially independent but also gained the confidence to express herself, obtain knowledge and share it with others. While working at the site, she connected with women from the region who inspired her to recognize her own potential and make a meaningful impact. "Being able to meet individuals outside of my close circle has given me a greater sense of confidence,” Asmahan says. "I used to live in my own bubble, but now I feel more empowered and capable of achieving anything I want." Alongside its efforts to promote economic stability and food security for vulnerable communities, WFP Jordan has introduced a novel approach to delivering entitlements to individuals involved in livelihood activities through mobile money. This allows participants to redeem their monthly entitlements via their own financial accounts (electronic wallets), becoming regular customers of Jordanian financial service providers and unlocking the possibility of using them for other financial activities, including facilitating transfers and bill payments. "You have no idea how absolutely thrilled and in full control I felt when I received my first entitlement from this project. Even my kids were so excited and asked me to buy them the stationery they had dreamed about for weeks to use at school," says Asmahan. WFP is not solely providing financial resources to vulnerable individuals to help sustain their families, but also enabling women such as Asmahan to gain self-assurance, expertise, and ownership of their financial prospects. Despite women’s high educational attainment, prevailing social norms in the country allow relatively few women to be economically active, and they are mainly employed in a limited number of sectors such as education, health and social work. "When I reflect on my previous experiences, I am inspired to apply what I've learned to build a more sustainable and profitable future. My ultimate goal is to rent a piece of land and cultivate crops that provide both a source of income and contribute to the preservation of the environment." Asmahan's experience is one of numerous examples illustrating the positive effects of WFP's activities on changing the lives of people in Jordan. Through its efforts to address climate change challenges on the ground, including land reclamation, forest and pasture development, water collection, soil protection, and conservation measures, WFP is significantly improving the lives of those most in need. Asmahan's story is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of opportunity.

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Press Release

30 April 2023

Jordan: UN General Assembly President to highlight humanitarian issues during official visit

30 April 2023 – The President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, will make an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, starting on 1 May, to spotlight solidarity with refugees from Syria and the Occupied Territories, and to discuss follow-up from the UN Water Conference.
During the visit, President Kőrösi will meet with high-ranking officials and senior leaders from the Government, to discuss topics of mutual interest.
Those topics will include water sustainability and follow up from the 2023 UN Water Conference, including pledges related to Jordan in the Water Action Agenda.
While in Jordan, President Kőrösi will visit the Zaatari Refugee Camp, which is the world’s largest camp for Syrian refugees. The President plans to hear directly from refugees about what they experienced, their lives in the camp and how the General Assembly can support. The President will be accompanied by colleagues from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and others.
In step with his priorities, the President’s field visit will include interactions with civil society groups, women’s groups and young people.
The President will be accompanied by a delegation of four staff members including the Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Laszlo Szoke, and the Office Political Team Leader, Ms. Janina Hasse-Mohsine.
The team will depart Jordan on 3 May 2023.
Costs are covered by the Government and the OPGA Trust Fund.

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Press Release

29 March 2023

UNDP and partners launch Inclusive Insurance and Risk Financing project

Amman, 22 March 2023 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Inclusive Insurance and Risk Financing project under the patronage of H.E the Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Khaled Al-Hneifat and in presence of Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan Mr. Ziad Ghanma and UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Mrs. Randa Abl-Hosn as well as a number of partners. The project is implemented under the framework of cooperation and partnership between the Central Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture, the private sector and UNDP. The project, which is implemented in partnership between UNDP, the Government of Germany and the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) is aimed to integrate risk insurance into the development process and underline the importance of integrated insurance, risk financing and investment solutions so as to raise awareness on inclusive insurance and risk financing. It also seeks to increase the resilience of small farmers and producers against agricultural production and market risks, especially those resulting from the impact of climate change and other infrastructure risks, and to take the necessary measures to mitigate risks to the agriculture sector and agricultural investments, and encourage the private sector to participate in the development of the agriculture sector, in addition to enhancing the capacity of farmers to access financing and strengthening the role of the Central Bank in establishing institutional governance rules on the inclusive insurance and risk financing tools in insurance companies and implementing the financial inclusion policy.

The launch of the Inclusive Insurance and Risk Financing project comes at a time when efforts of the local and international communities are concerted to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs and to enhance the protection of vulnerable communities from social, economic, climatic and health disasters by reinforcing the role of insurance and risk financing in development. “This project is consistent with the national approaches and strategies and the Economic Modernization Vision stressing the importance of transforming into a sustainable economic activity that takes into account all environmental and social dimensions and the engagement of youth, women, civil society organizations and think tanks," said the Minister of Agriculture Eng. Khaled Al-Hneifat. The project aims at strengthening the role of the Agricultural Risk Fund and the new Law on Takaful, taking the necessary measures to reduce risks to the agriculture sector and agricultural investments and encouraging the private sector to participate in the development of the agricultural sector. "UNDP is committed to the continued eradication poverty, of poverty, accompanying countries on their path towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, and working towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement in line with the Economic Modernization Vision. The risk insurance and financing project is an important safety network to protect people and livelihoods from the impact of crises, and we will work to promote innovation and creativity to help change systems and address the challenges that face the SDGs achievement,” said UNDP Resident Representative Randa Aboul-Hosn. “The Central Bank of Jordan has taken many steps towards improving an enabling environment for financial inclusion. The strategy will include the insurance sector so as to enhance its role in addressing emergency situations and fulfilling the necessary requirement of decent life in addition to saving as one of the main pillars of the strategy in order to work on developing savings products that help the financial consumer in proper financial planning so that living conditions are improved and available financial resources are efficiently and responsibly used,” said Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Mr. Ziyad Ghanma in his opening remarks which he delivered on behalf of the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Adel Al-Sharkas. Work will also be done to incorporate the principles of green and sustainable financing in the action plans with partners in order to enhance the Kingdom's endeavor to transform into green economy and take into account the impacts of climate change on the targeted groups.

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Press Release

03 April 2023

UNDP, partners launch of the Crowd Funding Academy in Jordan

Amman, March 20, 2023 - Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy's training program in Jordan (CFA) was launched today with the participation of 24 selected civil society organizations (CSOs), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan, and the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF). Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy is funded by the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), managed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through the CFA, the selected civil society organizations will participate in an 8-week training program that enables the organizations to raise funds using crowdfunding, an innovative and alternative tool for fundraising. The 24 civil society organizations were selected from 108 applicants following a comprehensive evaluation and screening of their ideas and the potential to bring about positive change in their communities. The ideas developed by the CSOs aim to introduce projects and initiatives that respond to the needs and challenges of communities with a focus on women and children. The proposed projects range from creating a safe space for women to develop their professional skills, developing a digital marketplace for farmers, to an educational project that includes science-based shows and experiments delivered to children in the form of comedy-drama. The selected CSOs will develop their crowdfunding campaign through e-learning tools and offline training using learning materials, presentations, work assignments, and guidance from leading crowdfunding experts. Upon the successful completion of the CFA training program, all participating CSOs will be able to launch their own crowdfunding campaigns on local crowdfunding platforms. "UNDP in Jordan is looking forward to the launch of Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy, as we continuously work with civil society organizations to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This academy will offer the knowledge and tools to access innovative financing solutions and ultimately empower CSOs to sustain and grow their important work" a representative from UNDP said. A representative from CPF added that: "We are proud to implement this training program and be part of the launch of the Tadamon Crowdfunding Academy in Jordan which marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to empower and support civil society organizations in driving social change. Through our collaboration with the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), managed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and UNDP Jordan and the 24 selected CSOs, we are committed to providing the necessary training, resources, and networks to enable these organizations to leverage the power of crowdfunding and social innovation to make a meaningful impact in their communities”

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Press Release

03 April 2023

UNRWA, EU open first school garden in Jordan

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) opened a European Union (EU)- funded school garden at the UNRWA Hussein Co-Ed School 1&2 in Hussein Camp, Jordan. The ceremony brought together Butros Janho, Acting Deputy Director of Operations of UNRWA, H.E. Maria Hadjitheodosiou, EU Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Palestine Refugee students from UNRWA Hussein Co-Ed School 1&2 School. Sara, a 14-year-old student from UNRWA Hussein Co-Ed School 1&2 School, said, "We like the new benches, plants, the waterfall, the swing and the bright colors - it has become such a beautiful area in our school. We feel comfortable here and enjoy lessons that are related to the environment. Now we sometimes eat breakfast here together," she added. Today’s garden opening continues the EU UNRWA “community greening” initiative which aims to transform outdoor spaces in several UNRWA installations. The project is designed to foster inclusion and create spaces for the Palestine refugee community to gather. The initiative has produced, restored and preserved green spaces, while simultaneously encouraging environmental awareness, nutritional education and relaxation, encourage recycling, increase physical and outdoor activity, stimulate social interaction and beautify neighborhoods. Acting Deputy Director of Operations Butros Janho said, “We are thrilled this initiative has encouraged children from Hussein Camp to take responsibility for their school playground and enhance their environmental awareness. With EU support, the students, teachers and community have come together to transform a once desolate space into a safe and enjoyable place in the community where children can now play and learn,” he added. "The garden is considered a success story. We were able to beautify the space with the help of students, parents and the local community, who worked together with love. The garden has become a safe area for students to feel happy and parents have expressed their admiration, continuing to support the garden by bringing more plants. It has been great to recycle items like car tires," said Ms Randa Zaidan, School Principal UNRWA Hussein Co-Ed School 1&2 School. El-Hussein Camp in Amman has more than 33,835 registered Palestine refugees. UNRWA offers a number of services to registered Palestine refugees both inside and outside of El-Hussein Camp, including education, health, relief and social services, and infrastructure and camp improvement. There are three UNRWA schools with 1,764 students in grades 1-10 and 65 educational staff members and one UNRWA health centre which serves approximately 54,971 people.

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