Community support projects revamped to serve Madaba residents, refugees

AMMAN — Two community support projects implemented Wednesday will improve Madaba residents’ access to “safe, comfortable and convenient recreational and transport infrastructure”, UNHCR said.

Funded by Kuwait, the projects entailed revamping the Zaid Bin Haritha Park and the “overly crowded universities bus station in the west of Madaba”, which is located some 30km southwest of Amman and has a population of over 160,000.

In Zaid Bin Haritha Park, UNHCR and its partner International Relief and Development (IRD) renovated the playground area, public seats, the fountain, bathrooms and water tanks, according to a joint statement released by the two agencies.

“With these improvements, the park is a safer outdoor recreational space for families from both Jordanian and refugee communities, including many young children,” the statement added. 

At the bus terminal, which had no shelter and public seats, IRD and UNHCR rehabilitated the sidewalk and walls, built a 15-metre-long shelter and added public seats and garbage bins. 

“As a result of this renovation project, the bus station now has an increased and improved capacity to host passengers, and is a safe and convenient commuting area for the residents of Madaba,” the statement said.

The two projects, costing JD60,000, were “selected and designed in close consultation with local authorities and community representatives”, and provided job opportunities for area residents for two months.

“These projects aim to provide safe and convenient services for all residents in Madaba,” the statement quoted Lana Al Momani, programme manager at IRD, as saying at the inauguration ceremony.

“The renovation of the park and the bus station is a great achievement. We are thankful to Kuwait and its people for funding these projects,” UNHCR Representative to Jordan Andrew Harper said.