Strengthening civil protection and relief capacities in Jordan

Jordan is prone to many natural or meteorological hazards, such as storms, flash floods, extreme temperatures and forest fires, which are likely to increase as a result of climate change. Operational response mechanisms to disasters are still insufficient in Jordan, creating vulnerabilities in institutional systems, society and communities. Since 2019, AFD Group has been supporting capacity building of the Jordan Civil Defense (JCD-PSD) to provide an effective response for these risks and improve disaster risk prevention and preparedness.

This project, implemented by Expertise France, aims at strengthening the Civil Defense’s capacities and tools in the risk prevention and preparedness phases, in order to mitigate the impact of a hazard on society and strengthen the resilience of the population. This project is a continuation of the support provided to the sector by AFD Group since 2019. In the form of technical assistance to PSD-JCD, the project will, in particular, improve risk assessment capabilities through the Risk Assessment Office housed within the JCD. It will also strengthen stakeholders in their decision-making and coordination process, notably through the Civil Protection Office based in the Governorate of Mafraq. This office will be reinforced and the replication of its model in the whole Kingdom will be sought.
The project will focus on:

• Enhancing Jordan Civil Defense’s capacities and tools in order to build greater resilience to disaster risks ;
• Strengthening the JCD’s skills in swift water rescue, as well as rescue in hazardous environments ;
• Strengthening JCD’s operational and strategic planning capacities, in close link with PSD.

The project will contribute to strengthening the capacity of the Jordanian Civil Defense for crisis management, emergency planning and water rescue in dangerous terrain. It will :

• strengthen the mechanisms implemented in the previous phase – RAO and CPO - with the aim of eventually extending their mandate or model to the entire territory of Jordan;
• improve the coordination between actors in charge of crisis management throughout the territory;
• improve the JCD’s competencies on specific natural hazards.

Expertise France’s activities will support the JCD’s planning functions (technical and human resources).