AMMAN — The United Nations Development Program
(
UNDP) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
launched a project on Wednesday for scaling up innovation in water management
for climate security in northern Jordan.
اضافة اعلان
The project was launched in Jerash, in the presence of Jerash
governor, Firas Abu Qaoud, and representatives of government agencies, NGOs,
the private sector and donors, a statement from UNDP said.
The project will be implemented over two years with the aim
of strengthening the management of water resources in the governorates of
Jerash and Mafraq, with a grant of $450,000 as part of the regional SDG Climate
Facility project: Climate Action for Human Security in the Arab States,
according to the statement.
“The project adopts an inclusive climate security approach,
which goes beyond climate adaptation solutions in addressing the impacts of
climate change, and in meeting the needs of Syrian refuges, and their host
communities,” the statement said.
Moreover, it aims to develop mechanisms to strengthen local
capacities in creating innovative change to water management.
It will capacitate innovative SMEs in the water sector to enhance
an enabling local environment in the local market and contribute to the
development of innovative solutions to realize water security. It will also
contribute to achieving sustainable development through the creation of
additional job opportunities for Syrian refugees and host communities in Mafraq
and Jerash, according to the UNDP.
The full engagement of women at the community level in the
activities of the project will be ensured, the statement said, adding that it
can be replicated and scaled up for a longer-term sustainable development.
In his welcoming remarks, Abu Qaoud underlined the
importance of the agriculture sector in supporting the economy of Jordan,
meeting the local market needs of food as well as increasing Jordan’s exports.
The Governor said the use of water in farms should be rationalized by reducing
water waste so as to increase efficiency.
For his part, UNDP environment, climate change and disaster
risk reduction team leader, Nidal Al-Oran, said that the UNDP supports a number
of projects in the water sector that increase the resilience of the sector in
addressing various challenges including the climate change.
In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization
FAO, it is now implementing the first project funded by the Green Climate Fund
GCF with $33.2 million to enhance climate resilience in Jordan by building the
adaptation capacity of communities and institutions and increasing the
efficiency of the water management systems, Oran added.
During her remarks, Sujala Pant, chief technical
adviser/project manager of the SDG Climate Security Project, highlighted that
“climate change issues are not unique to Jordan. We have observed similar
patterns in other Arab countries. We need to identify tailored climate-security
solutions that respond to the needs of communities in both rural and urban
contexts. And we need to do this through a whole-of-society approach, which
creates partnerships across government, private sector, civil society organizations,
and development partners.”
Meanwhile, Sida highlighted that the pilots under the
SDG-Climate Facility are showcasing solutions for vulnerable communities to
tackle the climate crisis and when possible bring in private investments for
sustainability, according to the statement.
Read more
national news
.jpg)
.jpg)
