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AMMAN — With the intention of drawing the world’s attention to children living in war, five Ukrainian photographers on Monday exhibited their work from the Donbass war, depicting the physical and psychological state of children on the frontlines.

The “Children in War” photo exhibition, held by the Ukrainian embassy in cooperation with the Cote d’Ivoire embassy at Broadway Gallery, displayed 25 photographs of children who have experienced war firsthand, to show the dangers of war beyond the physical world, organisers said.

Ukrainian photographer and vice president of the Volunteer Help International Foundation, Olena Prokopenko, said the most interesting part of working on the project was capturing the images of children who were “not posing”.

“The most difficult part was the conditions we worked [in], filming and [taking] pictures was... 1km or 2km from the frontline under the shelling,” she told The Jordan Times.

“Photographers were living under the constant threat of being shelled… We were also unofficial photographers, so we were [not] protected with any signs… We were risking a lot,” Prokopenko added.

The artist said the photographers involved in the project “rethought their lives after the experience”.

“We understood that our daily problems are incomparable with the problems those kids are experiencing in their everyday lives,” she added.

Yevgen Rokicki, president of the International Charity Fund and the Baltic-Black Sea Security Confederation, said the tragedy of children who experience war is depicted in the exhibition.

“The idea of the exhibition... appeared a-year-and-a-half ago, once our foundation started supporting children who were on the frontline area of war. Over the last two years, we have refurbished three schools that were demolished during the war,” Rokicki added.

“The tragedy of children depicted in the photo exhibition is because they are residing in the suburbs of big cities Luhansk and Donetsk, they are either from families with either father or mother, or both parents missing,” he said.

The confederation president noted that the children captured in some photos might even have psychological problems as post-war traumas.

“Those two big cities were captured by the Russians and… have no access to medical institutions, no possibility to go to hospitals; they can only go 300km from their home village to other regional centres, that is why we wanted to attract attention to the tragedies of children who suffer from the war,” Rokicki explained.

He added that medical and psychological support is also offered to children who require it, while “those talented people who… sing, paint, or dance” are brought to the capital so that they can demonstrate their talents and be exposed to TV channels and other institutions.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday hosted an iftar banquet in Al Hussein Youth City on Sunday attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, according to a Royal Court statement.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, Judicial Council President Hisham Tal, former prime ministers, senior officials and officers as well as Royal Family members, clerics, MPs and members of diplomatic missions in the Kingdom attended the iftar.

The King and Crown Prince performed maghrib prayer with the attendees.

AMMAN — The Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) on Wednesday called on municipalities with buildings that violate the National Construction Law to rectify their situation.

JEA President Majid Tabba said the law requires pre-construction building designs issued from a JEA-certified engineering firm, as well as the association’s accreditation.

 However, “a few” municipalities issue building licences without consulting certified engineering offices, a matter Tabba described as “illegal and unsafe” with potential defects in construction.

The phenomenon decreased after the JEA signed an agreement with municipalities in June 2014 to put an end to these violations, but some municipalities are still violating the law, he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

“Some are not aware of the importance of obtaining proper building designs, as violations often transgress construction standards as well as the allowed dimensions for buildings,” he said, adding that some violations involve buildings encroaching on streets. 

Contractors and housing developers tend to consult uncertified engineering firms to save money, especially since they receive “reduced fines” when they issue permits for already established buildings, according to Tabba.

“In fact it is cheaper to follow the law in consulting professional and competent engineers and obtaining an official permit, as it saves developers the burden of expensive defects that could result from unprofessional assessments,” he said.

“This is not the place to save money,” the JEA president stressed, explaining that violating construction standards jeopardises the safety and quality of a building, especially the ability to add floors or incorporate electromechanic facilities.

AMMAN — The interests of the country and citizens represent the ultimate goal the Interior Ministry and its security and executive institutions seek to achieve under all circumstances, Interior Minister Salameh Hammad said Wednesday. 

At a meeting with heads of security services, Hammad, who was sworn in before His Majesty King Abdullah on the same day, said that unifying efforts and coordinating among security institutions will help overcome security challenges the Kingdom is facing, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Civil Defence Department Director General Lt. Gen. Talal Kofahi, and acting directors of the Public Security Department (PSD) and the Gendarmerie Department, Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Abu Jumaa and Brig. Gen. Atef Hajaya, attended the meeting. 

The newly appointed minister also commended the high level of proficiency of security personnel and their ability to deal with security challenges.

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour attended Hammad’s swearing in ceremony at Al Husseiniya Palace, according to Petra.

Hammad was appointed as interior minister on Tuesday, replacing Hussein Majali, a former PSD director, who resigned on Sunday. 

Police and Gendarmerie chiefs, Gen. Tawfiq Tawalbeh and Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sweilmin were also referred to retirement the same day.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said in a statement that the minister’s resignation was a result of “the lack of coordination among security organisations that include the public security and the Gendarmerie departments”.

The new minister, Hammad, is known for administering the landmark 1989 parliamentary elections when he was secretary general of the Interior Ministry.

Born in Amman in 1944, he served as interior minister from 1993-1995 and 1995-1996.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Baghdad University and two higher diplomas in public administration from France. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah is scheduled to visit Germany and Bulgaria next week.

In Berlin, His Majesty is slated to participate on 2 April in the third Global Disability Summit (GDS 2025), which is co-organised by the governments of Jordan and Germany along with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), and continues for two days, according to a Royal Court statement.

Also in Berlin, the King is expected to hold meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a number of Bundestag members, representatives of leading think tanks, and economic and commercial institutions.

In Sofia, His Majesty is scheduled to hold talks with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, with whom he will also co-chair a new round of the Aqaba Process meetings, which will be held with the participation of heads of state and delegation, as well as representatives of partner organisations, the statement said.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met on Wednesday with German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to discuss strengthening Jordan’s ties with Germany and Austria within the framework of its strategic partnership with the EU.

Safadi stressed the urgent need for unified efforts to stop Israel’s aggression on Gaza, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, along with the opening of border crossings to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The discussions also addressed the situation in Syria, highlighting the importance of a Syrian-led political process to restore the country’s unity, security, and stability while combating terrorism and protecting Syrians’ rights. 

Safadi also stressed continued support for refugees, host countries, and relief organisations, alongside efforts to create conditions for refugees’ voluntary return.

Faeser and Karner commended Jordan’s role and His Majesty King Abdullah’s leadership in fostering regional security, stability, and peace.

AMMAN — The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and funding from the government of Japan, on Wednesday celebrated the completion of a 12-month project addressing climate and natural resource crises in Jordan’s refugee hotspots. 

A closing ceremony in Amman marked the project’s "significant" achievements in supporting host communities.

The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat, in the presence of Ambassador of Japan to Jordan Hideki Asari, FAO Representative Nabil Assaf, and several representatives of project’s stakeholders and government partners.

The project, implemented in Zaatari Refugee Camp and Ajloun and Jerash governorates in northern Jordan, focused on addressing the "severe" impacts of climate change and natural resource crises, including wildfires and floods, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

Notably, 70 hectares of fire-damaged forests were restored, with 58,000 seedlings planted and over 110 temporary green jobs created, including 45 for women. Community-based organisations (CBOs) received training and resources for disaster preparedness and sustainable livelihoods, such as beekeeping. 

Over 18,000 seedlings were locally produced, and $102,000 was invested in job creation and CBO support. The project also facilitated strong partnerships between international organisations, local authorities, and communities, enhancing resilience.

On behalf of Hneifat, Agriculture Ministry Secretary General Mohammed Hayari said: “We at the Ministry of Agriculture value the ongoing partnership with Japan and FAO, and we are working with partners and stakeholders to take all necessary measures to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector, by working to establish smart projects that take climate change into account and move away from traditional projects.”

Asari highlighted: “Jordan faces significant environmental challenges, particularly wildfires and droughts, which impact the country's small forested areas. These climate-induced challenges not only pose a direct threat to biodiversity and ecosystems, but also endanger nearby communities and their livelihoods, threatening food security."

"We hope that the project has contributed to enhancing resilience against climate-induced disasters in Jordan, while protecting the livelihoods of target host and refugee communities," the ambassador added.

Assaf expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts that made the project’s success possible. 

“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact that can be achieved when governments, international organisations, and local communities work together," he said.

The achievements we celebrate today lay the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable future for both refugees and host communities in Jordan,” Assaf noted in the statement.

FAO remains dedicated to supporting Jordan’s efforts to address climate change and support vulnerable populations, the statement said.