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:

Learn more

Story

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 conversation 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.

1 of 3

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.’

1 of 3

Story

14 April 2022

From where I stand: ‘Every day, I continue to conquer my physical challenges and focus on mastering my skills’

"We arrived in Jordan six years ago. When the war broke in Syria, most of the neighbors in my hometown decided to move to Jordan as the situation was getting worse, day by day. While we arrived to the Azraq refugee camp with familiar faces, adapting to a new environment was challenging, especially when our financial situation was unstable. As an elderly person, my father was not in the condition to provide for the family, and my stepmother could not work due to her medical condition. Although my sister was in good health, I decided to be the breadwinner of the family as my stepmother needed to be taken care of at home. It was a struggle to find a job, as I had never been employed before. Having motor impairment myself also set additional barriers in selecting which types of opportunities I was able to apply for... After my father passed away a few years ago, I felt more responsible to take care of my stepmother and sister. Then one day, other women in the village suggested me to apply for an opening at the Oasis Centre at UN Women. I have to say that joining the Oasis Centre changed my life…. When I first joined the Oasis, I had no previous experience in tailoring, but I have now been trained to be a cutter in the tailoring sector. Being able to learn new skills and looking after my family makes me feel empowered. Oasis has become a big part of my life, not just a means of earning an income. What makes it even more special is the relationship I built with the colleagues, who I consider to be my soul sisters. We have a support system and continue to look out for each other inside and outside of work. The past few months at the Oasis have been one of the best experiences I‘ve had. Every day, I continue to conquer my physical challenges and focus on mastering my skills to pursue [tailoring] as a career in the future. I highly encourage other women to find employment opportunities and expand their horizons." Fatoom Mohammad Suwwan, 51, is a fabric cutter at the UN Women Oasis Centre in the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan. The Oasis Centre provides women refugees with sustainable livelihood opportunities; access to education and skills development; civic leadership and participation opportunities; and gender-based violence prevention programming. The Oasis Centre also supports advocacy platforms to engage men and boys. The Oasis Centre programme reflects Sustainable Development Goal 1 (‘to end poverty in all its forms everywhere'), Sustainable Development Goal 5 (‘to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’) and Sustainable Development Goal 8 (‘to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’). This initiative is generously supported by the Government of Japan.

1 of 5

Story

30 March 2022

UNRC/HC Isaczai meets with children and youth in Makani Centers

The UN Jordan Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ghulam M. Isaczai visited Makani Centre in East Amman, where he met with Syrian refugee children and youth, who benefit from the Centre’s services. During the visit, Mr. Isaczai was briefed about UNICEF services provided in Makani Centre which benefit nearly 177,000 children, youth and parents, with access to safe learning opportunities - as well as integrated community-based child protection, early childhood development, life skills and social innovation training. Makani (“My Space” in Arabic) is UNICEF’s comprehensive approach to service provision in Jordan linking educational learning support services, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation as well as life skills and innovation labs for children and young people, girls and boys, families and community members. The programme aims to promote and contribute to the full development and well-being of children, youth and their parents. Under its social protection programme, UNICEF provides an integrated package of support for the most vulnerable children and youth in Jordan, while also supporting the Government of Jordan to develop and implement social protection and poverty reduction strategies. These interventions include: · A network of 137 Makani centres (66 in host communities, 51 in informal settelments and 20 in camps) supporting over 177,000 children, youth and parents, with access to safe learning opportunities - as well as integrated community-based child protection, early childhood development, life skills and social innovation training. · Hajati cash transfer programme - a monthly child grant to allow vulnerable girls and boys to enrol, and stay, in school. · Providing technical support to strengthen national systems, including National Aid Fund, to more effectively reach the most vulnerable children and their families; · Supporting the development of a child-friendly and equity-focused national social protection and poverty reduction strategy. · Generating evidence to inform policy, including the development of a national Multidimensional Poverty Index, and undertaking frequent monitoring of children, youth and women in Jordan to better understand the impact of changing economic situation on families.

1 of 5

Story

29 March 2022

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped!

Amal, a mother of six daughters, and her husband fled their beloved home near Daara in 2013, only 20 days after she had given birth to a child Ola by caesarian. They were fleeing the horrors of war, leaving behind their extended family and their house that had been destroyed in the fighting. After crossing the border into Jordan, the family was brought to Zaatari camp, Jordan's main Syrian refugee camp at that time. The camp had only been open for a year when Amal arrived and was designed to shelter families for a short period of time. Most people were living in tents, though the first caravans had just been installed. Various humanitarian organizations were collaborating to provide life-saving aid and basic resources, helping the refugees meet their needs. She remembers that it was a tough time, but with good support and solidarity among the families. IN 2018, Amal's husband Mohammad was diagnosed with stage four lukemia cancer but by the time of diagnosis, it was too late for the family to act and seek treatment. The husband was transferred to a nearby hospital where, shortly after, he died, leaving Amal to care for the family all by herself. Amal's eldest daughter, Rawaa, was greatly affected by her father's death and has since lost her ability to speak and hear, adding to the burden on Amal's shoulders. "We used to own a big farm house in Syria. My husband had cows and sheep, and we used to eat from what we planted on our land, but now we have nothing and would starve to death if we didn't get help. I've been looking for a job that would allow me to provide for my daughters for a long time, but I've had no luck. With no one to help care for the family, I'll have to stay until they're grown. " Amal explained. Amal's family, like all those living in Jordan's Syrian refugee camps, receives full assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP). With 23JOD per person per month, the family can choose to buy from a variety of food options in any of the WFP's contracted shops located in the camp. Despite all of the assistance provided by the United Nations and NGOs to those who live in refugee camps such as Zaatari, located in a desert-like area in northern Jordan, refugees face numerous difficulties in their daily lives. "Here at the camp, not everyone has the luxury of owning a having a kitchen or a working fridge; electricity is only available for a few hours during the day; and the cost of living has changed dramatically in the last few years as a result of the pendamic, with prices skyrocketing. When one of my daughters asks me to buy her simple necessities when I barely have enough to cover our basic needs, it tears me apart." Amal said. For many families, such as Amal's, options are limited, and living in refugee camps is their only alternative due to limited resources since, as she explained, "Returning to my beloved country, Syria, is not an option at the moment; without a house and with no one to support my family there, we will not be able to survive, Here at the camp is our only option; we have food, shelter, and safety, and that cannot be exchanged for anything else; I don't see us leaving here for years to come." Amal was deeply worried when she learned about WFP’s funding shortfalls at the end of 2021 for refugees receiving monthly food assistance in communities; she was concerned that this would affect families like hers living in the camps if the situation did not improve. She had no idea what to do or where to go. She was therefore very relieved when she received an SMS from WFP informing her and all refugees in camps that the monthly food assistance was provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief. ”After years of conflict and knowing of the displacement of millions of refugees in so many countries, it fills my soul to know that there is still hope and goodness in the world. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped.” Amal said. WFP received a generous USD 12.8 million donation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) to help meet the monthly food needs; the donation covers approximately four months of assistance for the 112,000 Syrian refugees living in Jordan's refugee camps, the Zaatari, Azraq, and King Abdallah Park. The donation came at a critical time allowing WFP to continue support to Syrian refugees as they face the harsh winter season.

1 of 5

Story

03 April 2022

Unleashing the Power of Women in Climate Action: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow

Across the world, women and girls face greater vulnerability and exposure to disasters, and conflicts, and yet they remain largely ignored in developing solutions and their capabilities are often under-utilized. As the most impacted, women are also a critical part of the solution. Women and girls have the experience to stand as leaders and change-makers for Climate Adaptation, as they are more vulnerable to climate impacts than men and more dependent on the earth's natural resources. Jordan is facing severe climate change risks, and this has exacerbated water scarcity in the country impacting rural and urban household safety, health, and livelihoods. In Jordan, information and data is still not disaggregated by gender, but we understand from an exploratory study conducted by UNDP on Gender Equality and Climate Change, that women are impacted differently and that they have a role to play in adaptation and mitigation strategies to combat climate change. Existing gender inequalities will deepen with climate change threats. Women assume more home responsibilities than men and have to cope with shortages of water, energy, waste management and changing environment around them. 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.I Women have shown various achievements in the energy sector and proven that women can be at the frontline for climate mitigation, Basma added, “Let’s not look at numbers, because empowering women in the Energy and environment sector has a different perceptive and angle. This perspective provides a different approach to the projects and policies in the energy sector”. According to the gender analysis UNDP conducted in Climate Change Action, although women and men are both impacted by changes that are brought about by climate change, women tend to manage the household sphere more than the public sphere, which is primarily for men. Inside their homes, women are more involved in water management compared to energy. In general, men deal with all activities relating to public sphere. As a result, we are losing a very important perspective – many women practice and have knowledge that can help us advance our efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate threats, but we have barriers to overcome in order to help ensure that women are engaged. The Jordan Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) at the ministry plays a big role in combatting the impacts of increased CO2 globally and is essential to decrease Jordan’s CO2 footprint and reduce household energy bills. Jordan is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 31% by 2030 as per its updated NDCs which were submitted at the end of 2021. A proportion of these emission reductions in Jordan is being achieved under the Sustainable Urbanization and Resource Efficiency (SURE) project as part of the UNDP-GEF project designed to promote low-carbon buildings and sustainable cities. The project aims to achieve its goals through the updating and application of Building Energy Codes, and in particular the Thermal Insulation Code for new buildings and retrofit guidelines for existing buildings. SURE also achieves its objective through a variety of systemic approaches to sustainability such as developing a licensing scheme for Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and a framework for De-Risking Energy Efficiency Investment (DEEI) which are both being closely implemented with JREEEF. The project will directly support the implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2016, and the National Green Growth Plan 2016. Climate change is not gender neutral and action should not be either. Women have different experiences, knowledge, and coping mechanism to deal with a changing climate. They bring a different perspective and insight; hence, they need to be viewed as active change agents that can contribute to solutions that lead to environmental justice and more gender responsive solutions just as Basma is doing.

1 of 5

Story

27 February 2022

“I will call my shop ‘The powerful woman’”

Qasim is enrolled in the Oasis Centre in Zarqa, where the Ministry of Social Development and UN Women empower vulnerable women with the skills needed to shift towards sustainable livelihoods through job placements and entrepreneurship with the support of the European Union through the Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis, the Madad Fund. Due to her husband’s disability, 54-year-old Amneh Qasim has always had to provide for her 10 children, working a range of different jobs including as the first female bus driver in her community. Eager to gain skills that would allow her to start her own business, she enrolled in the Oasis Centre in Zarqa. With the support of the Madad Fund, MoSD and UN Women give women the skills they need to shift towards sustainable livelihoods through job placements and entrepreneurship. “I learned so much,” she says of the experience. “The fact that, while learning, we were producing items to be distributed to those in need in the community was an important drive. It motivated all of us to be very committed in producing something of high quality.” Despite the challenges of the pandemic, she made close friends among the women in the programme. “We share advice and we try to influence other women in our community to take chances in life.” Qasim is now considering opening her own shop. “I’m even thinking of joining efforts with other women working with me in the course. If that happened, I would name my shop ‘The powerful woman’.” Qasim is one of the 580 women who accessed sustainable livelihoods opportunities in 2021 through the Oasis centers across Jordan. She says she is proud to be a role model for her children and women in her community. “I want all of them to become as empowered as I am. … My advice to them is to never give up: never underestimate your potential and do not let others bring you down – keep trying and one day you will make it.”

1 of 5

View all

Press Release

18 May 2022

Inauguration of facilities for Jordanian border guards

The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), the Embassy of Japan, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have held an inauguration in Zarqa, to celebrate the completion of the humanitarian border management project “Mainstreaming COVID-19 Response into Humanitarian Border Management in Jordan” funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by IOM through 2021-2022. The inauguration took place under the patronage of H.E. the Assistant Chief of staff for planning, Organization and Defense Resources of JAF, Brigadier General, Dr. Yousef Al Khatib, in the presence of the H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, Kaoru Shimazaki and the H.E. Chief of Mission of IOM in Jordan, Tajma Kurt. The facilities inaugurated today include office space and the accommodation for female officers with an isolation room equipped with necessary Personal Protective Equipment. This project also supported JAF and Royal Medical Services (RMS) to enhance the capacity for public health preparedness and response to cross-border communicable diseases by providing information sessions to 94 officers. The information sessions focused on topics of migration health, COVID-19 Infection, prevention, and control (IPC) response measures as well as mainstreaming rights-based approach and gender equality. To ensure the transferability of its knowledge within JAF, Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions were also conducted for selected 11 officers. “As we are all aware, Jordan enjoys excellent relations with Japan and strong cooperation with the IOM Jordan. This relation is driven by a shared common values and interests, having said that, we in Jordan, more particularly in JAF look forward to enhancing our relations to promote peace, stability, and socio-economic development not only in this region but globally,” H.E. Brigadier General, Dr. Yousef Al Khatib, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Planning, Organization and Defense Resources stated. H.E. Kaoru Shimazaki, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan stated “The Government of Japan is grateful to work closely with IOM since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in this important field, namely the border management which is one of the essential components for the regional stability. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the efforts of both JAF and IOM to realize our projects.” “The completion of this project represents the continued successful cooperation between the IOM, JAF, and the Government of Japan. The facility we launched today will certainly allow JAF to increase the number of deployed female officers, which in turn will result in better protection and safety of all the people who are residing in Jordan,” said Her Excellency Ms. Tajma Kurt, Chief of Mission, IOM Jordan. As the leading intergovernmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, IOM is committed to supporting Member States to improve their preparedness and establish adequate response mechanisms to protect crisis-affected people crossing the border while ensuring the national sovereignty and border security of the state is maintained.

1 of 5

Press Release

09 May 2022

FAO conducts the Surveillance Evaluation Tool workshop in Jordan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Jordanian Armed Forces launched today the of an assessment mission that will use FAO’s Surveillance Evaluation Tool (SET) and its Bio-Threat module to develop a tailored action plan to improve animal disease surveillance, including the detection of agro-terrorism and agro-crime affecting animal health, under the project “Building resilience against agro-terrorism and agro-crime threats to animal health.” The project 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 will be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Jordan Armed Forces. The inception workshop was under the patronage of his Excellency Eng. Khaled Al-Hunaifat, Minister of Agriculture and was attended by partners and relevant stakeholders. The inception workshop aimed to present to the Jordanian authorities the assessment mission itself as well as the other phases of the project that will help develop a response to risks related to animal health and the use of animal pathogens as a threat. Following this workshop, a mission for 12 days, will take place in Jordan with the objective of identifying gaps and needs for the epidemiologic surveillance system of animal diseases and the specific surveillance of agro-terrorism and agro-crime threats. Following the assessment phase, training and exercise materials will be tailored to local needs and available resources. The training will focus on strengthening collaboration between veterinary services and law enforcement authorities to improve their ability to detect and sustainably respond to animal health emergencies related to agro-crime and agro-terrorism. The project also introduces new tools for the Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP) such as facilitation kit and a specific module on the intentional use of pathogens related to agro-crime or bio-terrorism affecting animal health. The FAO Representative in Jordan Eng. Nabil Assaf, said, “This project will use the Surveillance Evaluation Tool (SET), which is a normative FAO tool that has helped more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia to assess and develop action plans to improve their animal disease surveillance systems and detection of unusual animal health events that may be related to agro-terrorism or agro-crime in collaboration between law enforcement agencies and veterinary services.” On behalf of HE Eng. Khaled Hnaifat, Minister of Agriculture, the Assistant Secretary-General for Livestock, Eng. Ali Abu Nukta, said that “It is necessary to raise the level of veterinary services within the governmental and private sectors, starting with the livestock sector in the Ministry of Agriculture, to be a single unit ready to deal with any accidental event that negatively affects humans, animals and the environment, and as a result on the national economy and national security.” 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.

1 of 5

Press Release

18 April 2022

FAO, MOPIC, MoWI, MoA and MoEn sign an agreement to enhance climate change adaptation in Jordan

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, H.E Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mr. Nasser Shraideh, H.E Minister of water and Irrigation Eng. Mohammad Al Najjar, H.E Minister of Agriculture Eng. Khaled Hnaifat and H.E Minister of Environment Dr. Muawieh Radaideh signed today an agreement to enhance climate change adaptation in Jordan through “Building resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improving water use efficiency in the agriculture sector (BRCCJ)” project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to build resilience to cope with climate change in Jordan through improved water use efficiency in the agriculture sector. During the signing ceremony, Shraideh expressed appreciation for FAO for securing a grant, amounting to $25 million, from the Green Climate Fund for this project. The project will also be co-financed by the government represented by the ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Water, FAO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at a value of $8.25 million. The $33.25 million project aims to enhance infrastructure to maximize the optimal use of water and rationalize its consumption, spread awareness related to dealing with water scarcity, and enable the private sector to market and sell technologies, which serve water managing, saving and harvesting. The project will be implemented in four governorates in the Dead Sea Basin: Madaba, Karak, Tafileh and Maan. Hneifat highlighted the significance of the project and the importance of the grant provided to it to contribute to addressing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and the development of the governorates. Radaideh noted that the project will be implemented “in line with Jordan’s Climate Change Policy (2013-2020) and National Adaptation Plan (2020) objectives”. He added that the project will “benefit 212,416 people, 47 per cent of whom are women, as well as reducing groundwater withdrawal by 3 to 3.5 per cent and contributing up to 4.5 per cent to achieving water management objectives defined in the National Water Strategy”. Assaf highlighted the scarcity of water resources as one of Jordan's main challenges and a limiting factor for economic development, adding, “climate change threatens the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on agriculture for their well-being”. UN Resident Coordinator Ghulam M. Isaczai and UNDP Resident Representative Randa Aboul Hosn referred to the distinguished relationship of UN agencies with Jordan and their readiness to continue working with the Kingdom.

1 of 5

Press Release

30 March 2022

64 percent of refugees in Jordan survive on less than 3 dinar a day

New data released by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, highlights the remarkable resilience of refugees, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence shows that the living conditions of refugees are improving, with most families generating their own income. Despite this, most refugees remain on the brink of falling into poverty. 64 percent* of refugees currently living on less than 3JOD a day. In addition, 90 percent of refugee families say they employ at least one negative coping strategy, such as reducing food intake or buying household goods on credit, to get through their day to day. “We stand at a crossroad of the refugee response in Jordan,” stated Dominik Bartsch, UNHCR Representative in Jordan. “The improving situation for refugees reflects the impact of our collective efforts over the past years, yet this can easily be reversed. Refugees remain vulnerable, and more needs to be done to support their self-reliance.” The 2022 Vulnerability Assessment Framework (VAF) is a comprehensive and rich analysis of the refugee population in Jordan. Surveying over 10,000 refugee families, this analysis usually takes place every two years although the recent assessment was delayed due to the pandemic. Results are designed to monitor changes in refugee vulnerability over time, inform the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and support programs aiming to strengthen the self-reliance of refugees. In addition, UNHCR Jordan and the World Bank MENA Poverty team collaborated to determine for the first-time monetary poverty among refugees in Jordan. Using the international poverty line of 5.5 dollars*, equivalent to about 3 dinar per day, the data shows that without assistance, three quarters of refugees would be poor. Thanks to assistance, the percentage drops to 64 percent. “The released data in the VAF can be a powerful tool for evidence-based decision making to inform Jordan’s refugee response. Continued joint humanitarian-development analyses will utilize the new data to explore how to enhance the targeting efficiency of assistance, and thus its effectiveness,” stated Holly Benner, Resident Representative for the World Bank in Jordan. For the first time, this year’s assessment has also examined the situation of refugees living in refugee camps. In comparison to the out of camp population, evidence shows that camp residents fare better in areas such as health and education but, due to a lack of employment opportunities, are more reliant on humanitarian aid. 52 percent of out-of-camp families report having access to income from work compared to 25 percent in refugee camps. In both camp and out-of-camp settings, findings highlight that having one family member employed is not enough to meet monthly household needs. As a result, the number of Syrian refugee families holding debt, increased by 39 percent in comparison to 2018. Increased debt is having a knock-on effect on standards of living. Refugees living in out-of-camp settings are increasingly resorting to living in unsafe homes in sub-standard conditions. Most refugees also have no written rental agreement and almost 20 percent of those surveyed received a threat of eviction in 2021. On a more positive note, the benefits of including refugees in national systems can clearly be seen. 80 percent of refugee children have attended school over the last year - despite the challenges of remote education - while child labor remains minimal. In the field of health, however, more needs to be done to ensure that the most vulnerable families are receiving the support they need. In comparison to 2018, there has been a 13 percent increase in Syrian refugees who needed medical care but were unable to access it. In total, 760,000 refugees are currently registered with UNHCR in Jordan which constitutes the second largest proportion of refugees per capita in the world. Only 17 percent of refugees live in refugee camps, with the majority living in towns and cities across the Kingdom. This vast array of new evidence about the situation facing refugees in Jordan will help to inform not only UNHCR’s new multi-year strategy for 2023-2025, but also wider discussions on the next iteration of the refugee response in Jordan, ensuring support for the autonomy of refugees while continuing humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable.

1 of 5

Press Release

29 March 2022

EU-funded agricultural grants to support agricultural activities & job creation awarded by FAO

With funding from the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Jordan, in cooperation with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, awarded vulnerable Jordanian farmers, smallholders and small family-based agri-food enterprises with financial grants. The grants that were awarded to successful project proposals, will allow the recipients from across Jordan to implement agricultural activities and job creation programmes for Syrian Refugees and Jordanians host communities. The awarding ceremony was held in Karak under the Patronage of H.E. Eng. Khaled Al-Hnaifat, Minister of Agriculture, and the EU Deputy Head of Cooperation Ms. Sirpa Tulla. This support programme is within the framework of the EU-funded Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis (MADAD) project “Enhancing resilient livelihoods and food security of host communities and Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon through the promotion of sustainable agricultural development.” The call for proposal was launched in September 2021 through the Ministry of Agriculture website, with the aim of supporting Climate Smart Agricultural – CSA initiatives targeting specific locations in seven governorates: Ma'an, Madaba, Ajloun, Irbid, Balqa, Karak and Tafileh. The awarded projects were selected and evaluated by the project’s Technical Screening Committee, according to the criteria envisioned in the guidelines. The grant covers 85% of the projects’ costs and the costs of five labourers from Syrians refugees and Jordanians host communities. H.E Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Khaled Al-Hanaifat, confirmed that this project is in line with the National Plan for Sustainable Agriculture, which supports pioneering projects for youth, as well as projects that support rural communities and empower women. The project is being implemented in a number of governorates. He indicated that the ministry will work to sustain cooperation for such projects, which support the ministry's efforts within its current strategy. The Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Jordan, Ms. Sirpa Tulla said that “the signing of these first Grants Agreements under this project is beyond symbolism. It is a moment that reflects hope for farmers, and it shows the agricultural sector to look outward, focusing on its potential as a producer of desired commodities and produce. Today marks an event that gives the Jordanian agriculture sector an integrated image.” FAO Representative in Jordan, Eng. Nabil Assaf, said “FAO is glad to be in the forefront of the implementation of the “MADAD FUND” and contribute with our partners WFP and IFAD to addresses the socio-economic needs of agricultural sector in Jordan.” He added, “The EU-FAO grant scheme that will support vulnerable farmers, as well as small entrepreneurs to improve their businesses, smallholders in investing in their production assets and practices to boost their production capacity.” The 300 selected small holders will be trained by MOA and FAO through Farmers Field Schools. The 1,500 Syrian and Jordanian workers hired by the farmers to create assets under this initiative will also receive WFP ‘Cash for Work’ cash assistance.

1 of 5

View all