Amman 23 March 2023 – The Government of Japan has allocated USD 754,953 to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support strengthening Jordan’s border management at the North-East border. Through this funding, IOM will implement a project to support Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) in establishing and upgrading their capacity to provide emergency urgent trauma care at the North-East border area.

Activities under the newly Japan-funded project will include the construction of field medical facilities at the North-East border, as well as the provision of capacity building training to personnel of JAF and Royal Medical Services (RMS) in urgent trauma care and Health, Border and Mobility Management (HBMM) framework.  

H.E. Mr. Jiro OKUYAMA, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan stated, “Due to instability in Jordan’s neighboring region, the Government of Japan recognizes the urgent need for JAF to increase their capacity to offer urgent trauma care along the North-Eastern border area. Through the new collaboration we have with IOM, these critical needs shall be addressed enabling JAF to provide effective and life-saving interventions for its members and Syrian refugees as well.”

“Given the strong commitment of JAF in upholding the territorial integrity of Jordan against the increased presence of smugglers at the North-East border, as well as a need for the readiness of JAF to respond to any other potential emergency situations that might arise in the area, support to increase the medical capacity to provide urgent trauma care along the North-Eastern border area has never been more urgent.” said H.E. Mrs. Tajma Kurt, Chief of Mission, IOM Jordan.

The long-standing collaboration between the Governments of Japan, Jordan, and the International Organization for Migration is reflected in a recently completed project, inaugurated in Aqaba on 02 March 2023, where the project successfully contributed to the drafting of guidelines that would support the Jordanian Border Authorities to effectively address issues with communicable diseases, such as but not limited to COVID-19.

The project also included infrastructure improvement of medical facilities as well as the provision of medical equipment at four prioritized points of entry; Karamah, Jaber, Wadi Araba, and Al-Durra.

In addition to 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, the project enables 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.

As the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration; IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all and is committed to supporting Member States to improve their preparedness and establish adequate response mechanisms to protect crisis-affected people crossing the border while ensuring the national sovereignty and border security of the state is maintained.

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