IOM Completes Canadian Funded Project Designed to Improve Conditions for Jordanian Border Guards at the Jordan-Syria Border.

Today, The Government of Canada, the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have completed the constructions as part of the project “Support to Enhance the Detection of Threats at the Borders through Improving the Living Conditions of Jordanian Border Guards at the Jordanian Syrian Border”, generously funded by the Government of Canada.

The works were inaugurated by H.E. the Chairman Assistant for Planning, Organization, and Defence Resources Brigadier-General Ibraheem Al Na’emat, together with H.E. the Ambassador of Canada to Jordan Donica Pottie, and IOM Jordan Chief of Mission Tajma Kurt.

“Improving the working and living conditions of the border guards at 11 border sites along the Jordanian-Syrian border line will contribute to better protection, stability and security of the borders and Jordan as whole,” said Kurt, Chief of Mission of IOM Jordan. “We are glad that this project has been successfully completed despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for the extraordinary cooperation and partnership with the JAF and Canadian Embassy in Jordan.”

The project was launched in February 2020 within the framework of the humanitarian border management program. It was funded to upgrade border infrastructure and accommodation facilities for the Jordanian Border Guards at 11 locations as well as installing solar power systems at the northern borders with Syria. The facilities will enhance the living conditions of the border guards and consequently, their operational effectiveness to provide protection to Jordanian territories.

“Despite the geographical distance, Canada and Jordan have and share an interest in raising the level of political, social, economic and military relations to meet shared expectations, which are based on mutual interests and values as well as common threats and challenges.” Brigadier-General Ibraheem Al Na’emat, Chairman Assistant for Planning, Organization, and Defence Resources said.

“This project is more than a construction; it is about partnership and vision. The fortification and rehabilitation of eleven border towers enhances Jordan’s safety, stability and security along the Syrian frontier. But it also provides an intangible value that can often be overlooked,” stated Pottie, Ambassador of Canada to Jordan. “In the midst of a desolate and sometimes dangerous environment, these towers provide comfort and shelter to the weary. Soldiers on the frontlines serving and protecting Jordan will have access to simple but essential amenities from home.”  

The project has also funded upgrading the network and technology solutions at the Jordanian Armed Forces Headquarters with recent cisco technologies to ensure that all the locations can communicate and share information effectively. Thus, increasing the effectiveness of the Jordanian Armed Forces to deter, monitor and interdict border incursions.

Humanitarian border management among many sectors of assistance, is part of the IOM migration operational framework and an ongoing program in Jordan since 2012, with the aim of responding to the human mobility dimension of humanitarian crises.