JONAF Localization Award: Remarks by Ms. Sheri Ritsema-Anderson UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan

Excellencies,

JONAF Representatives,

Friends, Partners, and Colleagues,

It is an honor to join you today and extend my gratitude to the Jordan NGOs Forum (JONAF) for convening this special occasion.

We gather here not only to recognize the remarkable contributions of a distinguished UN colleague but also to underscore the critical role of localization.

Today, we commend the efforts of our esteemed UN family member, Dominik Bartsch, the UNHCR Jordan Representative, as he receives the prestigious Al Nahda Localization Award for the year 2023. This accolade stands as a testament to his commitment to advancing the localization agenda in Jordan.

Jordan has faced formidable challenges, demonstrating remarkable resilience and generosity in the face of adversity. The Kingdom has graciously hosted refugees, navigated economic crises, confronted the COVID-19 pandemic, and grappled with regional conflicts.

Today, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

While this milestone should have been a cause for celebration, a dark cloud hangs over us as we witness a conflict so severe that it seriously risks aggravating existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security, as stated by the UN Secretary-General on Friday.

The conflict in Gaza, the escalating situation in the West Bank, the abduction and holding of hostage dozens of civilians … all of these horrors are resulting in a loss of confidence in international law and systems.

The UN has been clear in its calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Let me echo this again, now. There must be an immediate ceasefire.

Conditions in Gaza are among the worst ever witnessed, according to a joint statement  by 27 aid organizations include UN agencies.

“Apocalyptic” is the word used by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to describe Gaza. He also noted the heightened risk for atrocity crimes. This is language that the UN does not use lightly.

As many of you know, I spent the better part of 10 years working with the UN in Gaza. So for me, like many of you, this story has a personal face. It is beyond heartbreaking to see this suffering.

And still 13,000 UN staff in Gaza, plus many more colleagues from NGOs, local civil society and charities, human rights defenders and local communities themselves work every day, in the most unimaginable circumstances, to provide vital assistance to 2.2 million people, 75 per cent of whom are refugees.

Health care workers go to hospitals, clinics and shelters every day to do what they can, despite the dangers to themselves.

Frontline responders work to provide food as they can.

Social workers, sanitation laborers, child protection officers, logisticians and human rights defenders – none of them ever rest in providing aid to others.

And yet the violence continues relentlessly. And humanitarian aid remains utterly insufficient.

So, amidst this profound suffering, on Human Rights Day, let us take a moment to pause in honest reflection on both the importance and challenges of human rights. Let us engage in frank conversation about where we go from here. Because many in Jordan, and in the region, do not see themselves as able to access the protections offered by human rights frameworks. You see that these do stop at borders, ethnicities and religions. So together, we must all work harder to change this. To ensure that all humans have the same rights, and live in dignity and equality. 

Throughout these trials, the UN, in close collaboration with our partners, including the Government of Jordan and civil society, has been fully engaged.

Under the exemplary leadership of Dominik, UNHCR has effectively harnessed its expertise in humanitarian leadership and refugee protection, actively engaging with local capacities and assets. In addition, UNHCR in Jordan has tirelessly promoted a coherent, effective, and accountable approach to supporting refugees. Through collaboration with numerous stakeholders and partners, they have championed an approach grounded in national ownership and localization strategies.

The UN's partnership with JONAF over the past three years has significantly enhanced the involvement of local actors in decision-making processes within the humanitarian and development sectors. Dominik's dedication serves as an example, encouraging others to prioritize localization as a cornerstone of humanitarian action.

Now, more than ever, as we witness the conflict in Gaza, we see once again the importance of localization, of working together to navigate the complexities that we face across the region in carrying on the goals and priorities of our work, whilst remaining principled in our actions and sensitive to the needs and views of the communities we aim to assist.

In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dominik on this well-deserved honor, and we remain committed to working with organizations like JONAF to ensure that the spirit of localization remains at the forefront of our efforts, especially during times of humanitarian crises.

And again, on Human Rights Day, let me express that it is my firm belief that the way forward, the way to ensure gaps in the application of human rights frameworks, must come from your voices. From the voices of local NGOs, of civil society in Jordan, in the region and beyond. It is you that we need to hear from.

Dominik has set an excellent example of how the UN and local civil society organizations can partner. I couldn’t be happier to have him, and all of UNHCR, as part of the UN family in Jordan. So again, I congratulate him on receiving this honor and look forward to how we can all work together for a better future.