Amman - Today (09/03), the Japanese Embassy in Jordan together with the Jordanian Armed Forces and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) commemorate the completion of a Japanese-funded project implemented in 2018 and 2019 and celebrate the launching of a new project. 

Since the beginning of the Syrian Crisis, several projects aimed at enhancing the Jordanian border management capacities were implemented through generous funding by the Government of Japan and within the framework of IOM’s Humanitarian Border Management program (HBM). 

The focus of the newly launched project is to continue upgrading the infrastructure along the Jordanian border line with Syria as a major component of building the capacity of the Border Guards to respond to humanitarian crises. Three accommodation facilities will be constructed for the Border Guards at the border line with Syria. Capacity building activities also include tailored trainings on humanitarian border management and health preparedness to respond to communicable diseases. By strengthening the border management in Jordan, this intervention contributes to improved integrity and safety of the state’s borders as well as better protection, stability and security of those residing in Jordan. 

During the ceremony to acknowledge the generous support of the Government of Japan, which took place at the Jordanian Armed Forces Hotel in Amman, Mr. Hidenao Yanagi, H.E. the Ambassador of Japan to Jordan Said “Today, we are pleased to inform you that Japan has decided to allocate approximately 1.8 million USD to the subsequent project aiming at further enhancement of the border management in Jordan. With this new project, total amount of Japan’s contribution to the IOM projects in Jordan has reached over 7.2 million USD since the start of the Syrian crisis and we expect that our assistance enables Jordanian Armed Forces to improve their border operations further.” 

Brigadier General Ibraheem Al Na’emat, Assistant to the Chairman for Planning and Organization and Defense recourses, Jordan Armed Forces, pointed out that “the strategic relations between Jordan and Japan have witnessed an enormous growth in the last few years thanks to the shared goals and aspirations between the two countries in what pertains the regional and international peace and security. Within the spirit of close friendship between the two countries, today’s celebration marks yet another step in enhancing the ongoing cooperation towards providing humanitarian assistance to people in need to mitigate the impact of crises in the region.” 

IOM observes a strong need to protect the human rights of people on the move during any crisis. Officials at the border are usually the first to be confronted with such unusual movement dynamics and border security can become affected. Well-prepared and managed crisis response at borders can improve humanitarian action and protect vulnerable people on the move while maintaining the security of states and borders. 

For further information, please contact: 

Fedza Lukovac, Communication and Support Officer, flukovac@iom.int