Japan grants UN-Habitat $978,709 to strengthen Amman resilience against flash floods

The United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) in Jordan welcomes the generous contribution from the Government of Japan for the purpose of supporting vulnerable Jordanian communities and refugees in Amman against Flash Floods.

Flash floods became a serious problem in Jordan due to rapid unplanned urbanization, insufficient capacity of drainage systems and climate change ramifications. In 2018, flash floods caused losses of lives and damage to private properties and urban infrastructure, particularly in Amman.

According to the flood hazard map for Jordan, June 2019, the districts of Amman are among the most vulnerable to flash floods and epidemics due to high population and concentration of Syrian refugees, which exercise pressure on social services and infrastructure for water and sanitation and drainage.

In order to tackle these urgent risks, UN-Habitat Jordan, in collaboration with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) started a project to strengthen social stability and resilience of vulnerable Jordanian and Syrian communities in Amman against flash floods.

“The contribution will indirectly benefit more than 35,000 inhabitants in downtown Amman by building and rehabilitating stormwater drainage facilities using environmental-friendly construction technologies”, UN-Habitat National Programme Coordinator Ms. Deema Abu Thiab said in a statement.

Also, this project will build the capacities of GAM staff and residents of Amman through training, awareness raising campaigns to better plan and prepare for future flash floods and vocational training opportunities on appropriate flood resistance construction technologies.

The Japanese Ambassador in Amman Mr. Hidenao Yanagi also stated, “Japan appreciate that Greater Amman Municipality received so many refugees from Syria and Palestine, and we have so far cooperated with GAM for a community development programme such as “Heart of Amman” with UNDP, which will increase socio-economic self-reliance and improve livelihoods as well as revitalize local communities in downtown in Amman. We also value the important role of UNHABITAT and their efforts on addressing issues caused by rapid urbanization and mitigating negative impacts of global climate change. ".

"I have personally experienced three winters in Amman and have learned that heavy rainfall always causes flash flood in downtown Amman and many other places in Jordan, which is one of the growing challenges for Jordanian population. Therefore, we decided to finance this project, which provides a comprehensive and integrated response through capacity building on urban planning management and standards of constructions as well as restoration of necessary infrastructures. I hope that our assistance will reduce and mitigate flash flood damages and improve socio-economic resilience in vulnerable communities, as well as enhance social stabilization and economic development in Jordan" he added.