The “Jahez Project – Building Refugee and Host Community Resilience in Jordan” launched its field kickoff workshop in Ramtha Municipality, with the aim of enhancing stakeholder participation and consulting on local community priorities. The workshop served as a platform for dialogue and the exchange of visions, featuring opening remarks, a presentation on the project’s goals, approach, and community engagement strategy, in addition to interactive discussions focused on the criteria for selecting targeted communities and defining their priorities to reflect their actual needs.
Focus on Local Priorities and Community Role
The workshop opened with welcoming remarks that focused on local priorities and the importance of cooperation.
H.E. Mukhlis Jamil Al-Dhaye’ (Head of the Ramtha Chamber of Commerce) welcomed all attendees, valuing their participation and role in the success of the meeting.
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Mubarak Al-Buraizat (Ramtha District Administrator) affirmed that facing the impacts of climate change and adapting to its consequences requires clear and comprehensive response plans, stating that these plans will not be effective unless implemented at the local community level. He pointed out that involving the community in supporting environmental projects is a fundamental pillar for ensuring their success and sustainability, as the community is the primary partner in protecting the environment and enhancing the area’s ability to adapt to climate challenges.
H.E. Eng. Jamal Nayef Abu Obaid (Chairman of the Ramtha Municipality Committee) emphasized that the project’s importance lies within the framework of responding to climate change challenges and their impact on host communities and refugees. He noted that the project is a practical step for adaptation and capacity building. Furthermore, the project gains an additional dimension by contributing to the “Refugee Nexus” initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II during the 27th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP27).
Project Presentations and Municipal Roles
Eng. Alaa Humaidan (Project Coordinator, International Water Management Institute – IWMI) provided an introductory overview of the project, its goals, expected outcomes, and scope of work.
Dr. Ahmed Massoud (Researcher from IWMI) explained the project’s integrated participatory approach, clarifying the expected roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, municipalities, and community leaders, detailing the local context in Ramtha Municipality and the intervention opportunities of the Jahez Project to enhance local community resilience.
Eng. Ruqaya Al Akour (Director of Local Development and International Relations Unit, Ramtha Municipality) presented the municipality’s role in disaster risk response stemming from climate change impacts, reviewed related challenges, and outlined the municipality’s disaster response plan.
Eng. Doaa Aldeerbany (CEO, Climate Action Network – CAN) presented the planned activities and the community engagement strategy, along with clarifying the approach for selecting community sites.
Conclusion
At the conclusion of the workshop, the Chamber of Commerce expressed its thanks and appreciation to all attendees for their active participation, affirming its commitment to continued cooperation with various partners for the benefit of Ramtha’s residents and the commercial sector.
This workshop represents an official starting point for implementing project activities in the pilot sites. It also serves as a tool to confirm local climate risks, enhance coordination in disaster risk reduction (DRR), and set a roadmap, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the various parties. Thus, the Jahez Project constitutes a practical step towards creating more prepared and resilient communities in the face of climate and environmental challenges.
