Gov’t, JOHUD to evaluate projects in poverty pockets

AMMAN — The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation on Sunday signed an agreement with the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) to evaluate projects implemented to alleviate poverty across Jordan. 

Under the agreement, signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and JOHUD Executive Director Farah Daghistani, some 390 productive enterprises, 53 infrastructure projects and 24 loan portfolios implemented in poverty pockets will be evaluated, the ministry said in a statement.

The agreement follows the completion of stage three of the poverty pockets empowerment programme, which was accomplished in cooperation with JOHUD, the Jordan River Foundation, the Queen Noor Foundation and social development centres, Fakhoury said. 

Some JD25 million was spent over four years, and projects were implemented in 32 poverty pockets in 11 governorates, the ministry said. 

During the upcoming observation phase, projects will be evaluated to determine the requirements to enhance the initiatives, Fakhoury said, adding that evaluation is essential to guarantee the sustainability of implemented projects.

National institutions cooperating with the ministry have implemented some 2,300 productive projects, which have created 2,939 jobs or additional income sources, the ministry said, adding that 2,100 small projects undertaken through 148 loan portfolios had improved the incomes of 2,000 underprivileged families. 

The poverty pockets empowerment programme is a main component of the social and economic productivity enhancing programme administered by the ministry, the statement added.

The programme includes supporting charitable, cooperative and military retirees’ societies, infrastructure projects and simple interest loans for pioneer entrepreneurs, in addition to supporting various development initiatives related to enhancing productivity among local communities.

The government has increased the programme’s budget from JD16 million to JD22 million for 2016-2018 to improve the lives of Jordanians across the Kingdom, focusing on poverty pockets, women and young people, the ministry said.