Aqaba (05/03/2023) – The Government of Japan, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have held an inauguration ceremony in Aqaba, to mark the completion of the integrated border management project “Enhancing the Capacity of Jordan’s Border Authorities to Respond to COVID-19 and Mitigate Its Socioeconomic Impact” funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by IOM through 2021-2022. This ceremony also recognized the initiation of the project “Support the Capacities of the Jordanian Armed Forces to Provide Urgent Trauma Care at the North-East Border Area” which will be implemented through 2023-2024.

The inauguration took place in the presence of the Director of the Primary Health Care Directorate at the Ministry of Health Dr. Riad Mohammad Alsheyab,  H.E. Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, Mr. Okuyama Jiro and H.E. Chief of Mission of IOM in Jordan, Tajma Kurt.

This intervention included drafting operating guidelines to support the Jordanian Border Authorities to effectively address issues with communicable diseases, such as COVID-19. It also included the infrastructure improvement of medical facilities as well as the provision of medical equipment at four prioritized POEs (Karamah, Jaber, Wadi Araba, and Al-Durra).

The intervention also included the Introduction of Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) Health Module through the establishment of MIDAS workstations and the provision of the related trainings, enabling the Jordanian Border authorities and the Ministry of Health to collect, store and process the travelers’ health data and exchange information between border posts in a speedy, accurate and secure manner.

 “Four targeted points of entry at Karamah, Jaber, Wadi Araba, and Al-Durra now have improved infrastructure and medical equipment. In addition, the project included drafting operating guidelines to support the Jordanian Border Authorities to effectively address issues with communicable diseases, such as and not limited to COVID-19.” said Tajma Kurt, Chief of Mission of IOM Jordan.

“We would like to recognize the significance of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) Health Module, which included the installation of MIDAS workstations and the delivery of pertinent training, in enabling Jordanian border authorities and the Ministry of Health to quickly collect, archive, and analyze health-related data from travelers while also facilitating the seamless exchange of information between different border posts.” H.E. Director of Primary Health Care Directorate at the Ministry of Health Dr. Riad Mohammad Alsheyab,

“We will work closely with IOM in supporting Jordanian Armed Forces by facilitating access to appropriate infrastructure and medical equipment.

This new project includes constructing two basic-level field trauma facilities and a medical clinic as well as capacity-building activities for Royal Medical Services officers on emergency trauma care; ensuring efficient and life-saving medical interventions at the northeastern border.  

Japan hopes that this assistance will aid JAF’s border management operations, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in Jordan and the region as well.” said the Ambassador of Japan to Jordan.

 For further information, please contact:

Saba Makkawi, Head of Migration and Management Unit, smakkawi@iom.int

Fedza Lukovac, Media and Communications Officer, flukovac@iom.int