Team Europe responds to COVID-19 pandemic by supporting Jordan with 841 million euros

AMMAN — The European Union, its member states and European financial institutions, in particular the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as Team Europe have, since March 2020, collectively responded to the COVID-19 crisis in Jordan by supporting the sectors hit hardest by the pandemic — healthcare, economy, education and social protection. 

As Team Europe, the EU responded swiftly by accelerating and calibrating its support to existing programmes, adapting upcoming support and providing additional funding to help overcome the impact of the crisis, according to an EU statement.

Combined, the resources of the EU, EU member states, development agencies and financial institutions, to respond to Jordan’s needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis amounts to 841 million euros to date.

To reinforce the capacity of the Jordanian healthcare system, Team Europe has provided essential support to the Ministry of Health: With this assistance, COVID-19 vaccines are being procured to cover the government’s target  population that need to be vaccinated; Jordan’s testing capacity was reinforced by an advanced PCR processing system provided to the Central Laboratories; vaccination teams were equipped with 15 pick-up vehicles and two refrigerated vehicles to reach people in remote areas, as well with personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and for rapid response teams, the statement said. 

Team Europe has also provided 300 computer tablets for the collection of data by the COVID-19 National Immunisation Electronic Data System, 100,000 COVID-19 diagnostic kits, 200,000 rapid diagnostic tests, over 230,000 doses of influenza vaccines in addition to laboratory, cold chain and hospital equipment.

Additionally, Team Europe stepped up its operations to support the Jordanian economy, by providing Macro-Financial Assistance  to Jordan in the form of concessional loans to complement the economic support programme that Jordan agreed with the International Monetary Fund. 

Team Europe has also supported the private sector – the main engine to boost sustainable growth, protect jobs and keep the economy going, according to the statement.

Team Europe has also supported the government’s “Education during Emergency Plan”. Through this support, 98,000 students in 390 schools are benefiting from basic hygiene supplies; vulnerable children are benefitting from online learning platforms and e-learning resources to continue their formal education; almost 400 Jordanians from disadvantaged host communities and Syrian refugees enrolled in higher education programmes received laptops and guidance to transition to e-learning; and all schools in Syrian refugee camps have been supported to provide a safe environment for children, free from risk of surface contamination.

Furthermore, Team Europe has been looking at the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable people and has developed a strong social protection package. This package has provided the additional cash assistance needs identified by the National Aid Fund;  provided goods and operating expenditures to fight the spread of COVID-19 among affected communities in 21 municipalities; and provided counselling sessions, sports activities and awareness raising for women and children affected by domestic violence during the lockdown.

Beyond these four priority sectors, Team Europe has supported the public administration’s operations by helping in producing the back to work guide for civil servants, in the delivery of critical infrastructure (water supply, wastewater management, solid waste management and energy), and in supporting cultural operators, concluded the statement.