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DEAD SEA — United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner General Pierre Krahenbuhl on Monday urged governments, donors and stakeholders to “keep on supporting UNRWA in completing its mission”, highlighting that the agency is still lacking $77 million to complete its activities planned for this year. 

The remarks came during a press briefing held on the sidelines of the agency’s Advisory Commission’s meeting at the Dead Sea, to which the official referred as a “great opportunity to discuss our financial situation, where we stand now, and what are the actions that we can take”.

“After this meeting, I expect our members to come forward with additional support, as it is vital to continue improving the situation of the Palestinian refugees, and we cannot accomplish our mission without them,” Krahenbuhl stated. 

“I have spoken to the refugees, and they all told me the same thing. They complain that this is not enough, that the situation is not improving — I do acknowledge that, and thus I want to take the opportunity here to remind everyone that the refugees shall not be forgotten, and it is our responsibility to stand together to ensure their well-being,” expressed the official. 

Furthermore, Krahenbuhl reminded the attendees that a total of 167 countries voted last year in favour of extending UNWRA’s mandate to the next three years, stressing the “strong political message that these countries delivered with their vote”.

“Refugees can rest assured that our mandate is safe and is here to stay, and we are determined to improve the quality and quantity of our services despite the many challenges,” continued the official. 

Krahenbuhl took the opportunity to praise Jordan’s efforts on the refugee crisis, expressing that “UNWRA’s partnership with Jordan is one of the most important throughout the whole Arab region, and it would not have been the same without their support”.

A member of the audience raised the issue of UNWRA’s staff complains about the working conditions, to which the official replied that the agency is “prepared to sit down with them, listen to their concerns and find solutions”, adding that “the dialogue with the staff is a very important part of UNWRA’s work”.

Regarding the neutrality issue, Krahenbuhl clarified that “absolutely all members of UNRWA — including myself — sign a contract [which prohibits]involvement in political activities, due to our commitment to maintaining good relationships with all UN member countries and our need to keep our work inside the humanitarian field”.

Jordan is the largest host of Palestinian refugees, where more than 2 million registered refugees live, according to UNRWA data, out of 5 million who are eligible for the agency’s services in five countries in the region. 

Most Palestine refugees in Jordan enjoy full citizenship. There are 10 recognised Palestine refugee camps throughout the country, which accommodate nearly 370,000 Palestine refugees, or 18 per cent of the country total.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday sent cables of condolences to Iraqi President Fuad Masoum and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for the loss of life in the earthquake that hit on Sunday northeastern Iraq and several regions in Iran, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The earthquake killed many people and injured others. In his message, King Abdullah expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims.

AMMAN — Jordan today marks the 82nd anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the late King Hussein.

King Hussein died at the age of 63 on February 7, 1999, following a battle with cancer.

At the time of his death, King Hussein was the longest serving executive head of state in the world.

A direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad, King Hussein was born on November 14, 1935, as the eldest son of King Talal and Queen Zein Al Sharaf.

He studied at the Islamic Scientific College and then enrolled in Victoria College in Alexandria. In 1951, he entered Harrow College in England before receiving his military education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, from which he graduated in 1953.

Hussein was proclaimed King of Jordan on August 11, 1952, and a Regency Council was appointed until his formal ascension to the Throne on May 2, 1953, when he assumed his constitutional powers after reaching the age of 18, according to the Islamic calendar.

Throughout his five-decade rule, he worked to raise the living standards of his people, and during his reign the literacy rate rose dramatically.

He also sought to promote peace in the Middle East.

Enhancing joint Arab coordination was a priority for King Hussein, who believed that resolving outstanding issues and conflicts between Arab countries should be done through upholding the higher Arab interest and believing in the common destiny of the Arab nation.

On the occasion, His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received several cables from senior civil and military officials. HRH Crown Prince Hussein also received similar cables.

ZAATARI REFUGEE CAMP — After six months of construction that saw the sprawling of some 40,000 solar panels over “the size of 33 football fields” in southern Mafraq, the world’s largest solar power plant built in a refugee settlement was inaugurated on Monday. 

The 12.9-megawatt solar facility will bring free and clean electricity to over 80,000 residents at Zaatari refugee camp, extending their current 8 hours of access to power to 14, thereby allowing children longer hours for homework, better storage for refrigerated foods, and enhanced street lighting for maintaining safety and security.

The news of the extended electricity hours quickly reached the camp’s residents, who said they were “thankful” for having more access to electricity during the day. 

“Right now, we only have electricity from around six in the evening until three in the morning, and there are lots of things we need the power for: using the washing machine, charging our phones and watching TV. With access to electricity during the day, we can keep our kids inside by letting them watch TV; this will keep them from going out under the harsh sun and in sandstorms — getting sick,” said Tahani Husni Al Hajali, a five-year-resident of Zaatari from Daraa, Syria. 

Since the Zaatari’s inception in 2012, access to electricity has been one of the main challenges faced by its residents, making daily lives difficult with intermittent cuts due to lack of power. 

 “Even though we have a fridge, when the power cuts off, anything we’ve put inside goes bad. So I’m forced to throw that out and make something new every day,” Sharifa Al Rifai told The Jordan Times at her housing unit at Zaatari. 

“Sometimes, we have to go to our neighbours’ homes just to charge our phones,” said Nasser Mohammad, who has been living in the camp since 2013. 

The plant with help of UNHCR saves an average of 5 million euros per year in electricity bills, an amount that could be redirected to expand other “critical activities that improve the lives of refugees in Jordan”, said UNHCR’s Representative to Jordan Stefano Severe.

Additionally, the construction of the plant benefitted many refugees economically and professionally. 

Over 75 refugees, including students, worked alongside Jordanians in installing the solar panels, gaining new skills and income for their families, said Severe at the inauguration. 

The 15-million-euro solar project, which has a lifespan of 25 years, was funded by the government of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW), and later implemented with close cooperation with Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), said Birgitta Siefker-Eberle, German ambassador to Jordan. 

In terms of its environmental impact, the solar power farm will allow Jordan to be “less-dependent on imported oil, produce pollution-free energy and reduce 15,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year”, which is in line with the Kingdom’s energy strategy, said Siefker-Eberle. 

Since the solar facility is connected to the national grid, “it will also help in stabilising the regional distribution network, thereby reducing power shortages for host communities outside the camp,” said Joachim Nagel, an executive member of the KfW Group.

The inauguration of the plant saw the participation of HRH Princess Lara Al Faisal, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh, UNHCR’s Representative to Jordan Stefano Severe, German Ambassador to Jordan Birgitta Siefker-Eberle and Joachim Nagel, an executive member of KfW. 

In her concluding statement, the German ambassador highlighted how renewable energy and energy efficiency have great potential for enhancing bilateral relations between Jordan and Germany, and for his part, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh thanked the German government for its “longstanding and strong commitment to Jordan’s development process, in the energy sector in particular…which benefits both the Jordanian host community and Syrian refugees”.

AMMAN — Jordan and China are holding talks regarding the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation, as part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, according to the Chinese ambassador.

A multibillion land and maritime project, the One Belt One Road project aims to connect China to the rest of the world, including Jordan.

"Following the signing of the MoU, we will witness increased cooperation and projects between the two sides in various areas," Chinese ambassador to Jordan, Pan Weifang, said at a press conference Monday held on the occasion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

The ambassador stressed his country's keenness to boost cooperation with Jordan, noting that the ties were "solid and strategic".

Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Congress that recently witnessed his reelection for another term, the ambassador said that it "ushered a new era for China", which will include increased and strengthened cooperation with Jordan.

"China is highly interested in boosting relations with Jordan and the ties are witnessing a growing progress on all fronts," Weifang said, underlining the significance of the One Belt, One Road project, which was launched in 2013 and runs through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.

The Silk Road Economic Belt focuses on bringing together China, Central Asia, Russia and Europe (the Baltic); linking China with the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and the Indian Ocean. 

The 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road is scheduled to stretch from China's coast to Europe through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean in one route, and from China's coast through the South China Sea to the South Pacific on the other.

The ambassador also highlighted the opening of Chinese mall in Amman in the near future. The mall was scheduled to be inaugurated two months ago but "high interest" from more Chinese companies delayed the inauguration, the ambassador said.

The ambassador also voiced his appreciation of Jordan's support to the One China policy.

The ambassador highlighted China's two-stage development plan for the period extending from 2020 to the mid-21st century, which aims to develop China into a "great modern socialist country".

Announced by Jinping at the Congress, the plan's first stage will take place between 2020 and 2035, building on the foundation created by the moderately prosperous society.

In the second stage, expected to last from 2035 to mid-21st century, the Chinese Communist Party will "work hard for a further 15 years and develop China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful".

In the speech, the Chinese president also highlighted plans for increased economic growth for the country and several other fields.

AMMAN — “We have confused two concepts into one: the high school graduation diploma and the university acceptance. As if academia was the only path towards professional success and any other option was a failure,” said Minister of Education Omar Razzaz at the “Transforming Access to Education” conference held on Monday.

Calling for a diversity of educational paths offered to children, Razzaz stressed the importance of developing innovative and technology-based teaching methods to help school children “regain hope in their future”.

The conference was organised by the online platform FORSA (for9a.com) and the UNESCO Amman Office, and funded by the European Union through the UNESCO-led “Networks of Mediterranean Youth (NET-MED Youth)” project.

In a discussion about the formal and informal educational landscape in Jordan, participants addressed how FORSA, MENA’s largest online platform for educational and training opportunities, has contributed to enhancing youth opportunities in the region. 

Quoting Her Majesty Queen Rania as an inspirational figure promoting education in the Kingdom, EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said: “In education, technology can be a life-changer, a game changer... Technology can bring textbooks to life … It can bridge the quality gaps.”

The ambassador stressed the EU’s continuous support to youth initiatives in Jordan and the region, saying: “This platform [FORSA] comes in line with our mission to connect all stakeholders in the field of education and vocational training, which we have done through the organisation of various job fairs and the implementation and promotion of vocational training initiatives.”

Launched in 2011, FORSA is the largest online platform that links youth from the MENA region with opportunity providing institutions including universities, NGOs, training centres, companies, among others. 

Almudaffar Shoubaki, marketing officer at FORSA said: “Today, we aim to spread the word about the platform to stakeholders and the public so as to connect even more people through this free and open access platform.”

Commending the efforts of the EU and the Education Ministry, UNESCO representative to Jordan, Constanza Farina, said: “Innovative technology should be used to open new pathways to education, as it is a human right essential to all.”

She stressed the positive impact of NET-MED Youth, a three-year regional project implemented by UNESCO in partnership with youth organisations and partners. 

“NET MED Youth strives to develop inclusive societies and to facilitate platforms for dialogue. In achieving that goal, it strives to reduce the fragmentation of efforts and harness the collective potential of youth in affecting democratic transition towards active citizenship, political participation, economic development, and social inclusion,” she said.

Farina stressed the need to encourage a stronger and direct participation of the youth in shaping policies, especially in light of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 16, respectively related to reducing inequalities and promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

Following the screening of several videos displaying youth success stories, FORSA founder and CEO Sami Hourani conducted a Q&A session with the Education Minister.

“FORSA represents a public good for society. Education and training opportunities need to come from outside the governmental channels if they wish to survive. They need to come from the youth themselves, and this is what this platform is doing,” Razzaz stated.

“The world, including Jordan, is racing to redefine the educational system and we need to learn how to adapt to this ever changing environment. This can only be done through a sustainable continuous education that will enable us to face challenges as they come,” he said, calling for a strong partnership between all parties involved.

Two FORSA users went on to share their success stories, including Sophie Bel, director of the French Institute in Amman, who explained how FORSA helped the IFJ find great young applicants for their SafirLab programme. 

“Schools should only be a focal point for education where students get interested in learning. Anything outside of school can be used as a tool for informal learning. A smartphone is a school in itself,” Hourani concluded.

The conference saw the attendance of representatives from leading universities, NGOs, civil society organisations, companies, and representatives from the international community, among others, according to a FORSA statement.

AMMAN — Daesh militants regained control of Albu Kamal, their last stronghold in Syria, after Iranian-backed militias who claimed to have captured the city a few days earlier were ambushed and forced to retreat, tribal leaders, residents and a war monitor said on Monday.

Fighters from Lebanese Shiite Hizbollah in Syria who joined forces with Iraqi Shiite fighters crossing the border into Syria were taken by surprise by militants hiding inside tunnels in the heart of the city they said they had taken on Wednesday.

The Shiite fighters had launched a ground offensive on the city, in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province where the Euphrates River meets, after months of mainly heavy Russian bombardment against the city that killed dozens of civilians and caused widespread destruction.

"Islamic State [Daesh] militants began surprise attacks with suicide bombers and rocket attacks after the Iranian militias were duped that Daesh had left the city," said Qahtan Ghanam Al Ali, a tribal leader in touch with relatives.

The Syrian army had on Thursday declared victory over Daesh, claiming it had killed many militants while scores surrendered. It said the capture of Albu Kamal marked the collapse of the militants' three-year reign in the region.

The army made no mention of the loss of Albu Kamal, but Hizbollah's media unit said intensive aerial strikes pounded Daesh hideouts in the western countryside of the city.

The offensive was spearheaded by elite forces from Hizbollah fighting inside Syria alongside an array of Iraqi and Afghan Shiite militias that had entered from Iraq, a commander in that alliance told Reuters.

"These militant attacks lead to big human losses in the ranks of fighters supporting the regime," the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. 

Albu Kamal, a major supply and communications hub for the ultra-hardline militants between Syria and Iraq, was a big prize for the Iranian-backed militias.

The militants' control of the city and its sister border town of Al Qaim on the Iraqi side had disrupted the strategic Baghdad-Damascus highway that had long been a major arms supply conduit by Iran to its Syrian ally.

The Syrian opposition and some Western countries say Iran's strong military intervention on the side of Syrian President Bashar Assad, alongside its backing of other Shiite militias, is fuelling the sectarian dimension of the Syrian civil war by radicalising mainstream Sunni rebels.

An overstretched Syrian army is now more than ever dependent on Shiite militias on the ground and Russia's military fire power to recapture ground from insurgents.

Daesh, the extremist group that once laid claim to a self-styled "caliphate" spanning swathes of Syria and Iraq, has seen its proto-state crumble in recent months under the pressure of multiple offensives.

On Sunday, jets believed to be Russian intensified their third day of bombing of Albu Kamal and its outskirts, with at least 50 civilians, mostly women and children, killed since Friday, the monitor and residents said. 

In retaliation for their losses, Iranian militias who were forced to withdraw shelled villages east of the city where hundreds of families who fled Albu Kamal had found temporary refuge, the UK-based war monitor said.

In one air strike on the town of Sukariya, east of the city, at least thirty people were killed, mostly women and children from three families, two former residents of the city in contact with relatives said.

Other aerial strikes hit villages of Marshada and Sousa near the river crossing where hundreds of civilians were targeted as they fled in small boats and dinghies, they added.

Albu Kamal has been a target of intensive strikes believed to be conducted by Russia across Deir Ezzor province, which has killed hundreds of civilians in recent months, according to the monitor and local figures.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat on Monday met with commanders from various ranks to whom he conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Abdullah, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Freihat stressed the need for the armed forces to continue displaying the highest degree of preparedness, and the end of the Daesh terror group in Iraq and Syria.

He highlighted topics in areas of operations, training, rehabilitation and joint cooperation with armies of other countries. Freihat emphasised on the significance of soldiers to be informed of the challenges and developments locally and internationally through their commanders. 

AMMAN — State Minister for Investment Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh said that the Cabinet approved allocation of a 10-dunum plot of land for an Indian investor to establish a textile factory in Jerash’s Souf town.

The factory, estimated at a JD5 million investment’s value, will create 400 jobs for the residents of Jerash, 45km north of Amman, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The total land required for the factory will amount to 88 dunums, according to Petra. The minister said that Jerash’s investment map includes establishing 10 projects worth JD11 million.  

AMMAN — The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) on Monday issued a licence to activate the Jordan nuclear reactor for research and training at the Jordan University of Science and Technology with a capacity of 5 mega watts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

EMRC Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Farouq Hiari stressed in a press release on Monday that the commission granted the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) a licence to operate, own and manage the Jordan nuclear reactor for 10 years.

Hiari said that the commission’s role is not restricted to issuing licences and also includes supervising the project’s operational stages. He referred to EMRC’s role in protecting the environment and public health, in its capacity as a regulatory body.