Two projects launched to reduce Kingdom’s disaster risks

AMMAN — The National Centre for Security and Crisis Management (NCSCM) and the UNDP on Wednesday launched two projects on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and its further integration into the ongoing development programmes in Jordan, aiming to “advance DRR activities in the Kingdom through a more holistic and effective management that meets the national socioeconomic priorities”. 

Implemented with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the projects will contribute to the implementation of the new National DRR Strategy, which is currently being developed and integrated among all relevant national strategies. 

Asked about the current DRR context and challenges in Jordan, UNDP sources told The Jordan Times that “the occurrence of natural, biological and technological hazards is relatively low, but given the high population density in the cities and the overstretched capacity of social services and physical infrastructures, even a mild earthquake could have a serious impact”, pointing to rapid unplanned urbanisation, unsustainable water management practices and uncoordinated land use planning as the “main underlying risk drivers in Jordan”.

According to the UN agency, the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) system in the Kingdom can rely on “solid” country assets such as good access to social services, the high level of education of its population, and significant investment in response capacities, skills and equipment, considering that “over the past decade, both the central and local governments have gained a better understanding of disaster risks and have taken proactive steps to strengthen response systems and capacities”.

“There remains, however, limited awareness amongst policymakers and the general population, and investment in preparedness and prevention is limited within several fields with the exception of the public works and water sectors,” the sources continued, noting that in order to achieve the set objectives and goals of the Jordan National DRR Platform and the under-revision strategy for DRR, the NCSCM is working intensively to ensure adequate capacity and common understanding of the fundamentals of DRM and DRR for all stakeholders involved.

The projects were launched in a workshop hosted by NCSCM Deputy Director Adnan Abadi, who noted that the initiatives will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the National Forum on DRR in Jordan. 

“We are constantly committed to providing all the necessary support in order to strengthen the resilience of societies to cope with crises,” UNDP Resident Representative Majida Al Assaf said during the launching ceremony, highlighting the programme’s mission to “ensure a secure and stable national environment”.

For his part, SDC representative Nayef Khoury stressed: “The importance of the cooperation with NCSCM and the creation of strategic partnerships between the relevant international organisations in the field of DRR”.