Royal initiative launched in Ajloun to empower underprivileged families

AMMAN — The Royal Court on Saturday launched a Royal initiative for community empowerment in Ajloun Governorate, which aims to improve the livelihood of underprivileged families, according to a Royal Court statement.

The initiative, which comes as a response to His Majesty King Abdullah's Royal directives, seeks to help vulnerable families develop productive income-generating projects. 

Yousef Issawi, the Secretary General of the Royal Court, said the initiative will be implemented in partnership with 10 charity associations in Ajloun, 70km northwest of Amman. 

He added that the organisations will be trained to empower local communities to improve the families' livelihoods by supporting and enabling them to develop productive projects that help them meet their needs and actively participate in their community.  

The launch ceremony was attended by Minister of Social Development Hala Lattouf, Director General of the Jordan River Foundation Enaam Barrishi and heads of charities from Ajloun.

Issawi added that the initiative is a "continuation" of the previous Royal initiatives which have been implemented in various governorates. He highlighted the previous projects' "positive and fruitful" results in the field of empowering families and improving their standards of living. 

In her speech, Lattouf emphasised the importance of such Royal initiatives aimed at enhancing social security and improving the living standard of citizens in all governorates of the Kingdom. 

She commended King Abdullah's initiatives in the field of social welfare and empowering local communities, stressing that her ministry will continue to provide the necessary support to civil society institutions. 

For her part, Barrishi voiced her appreciation for the role of Royal initiatives in empowering the local community and stressed the importance of strengthening and building local bodies in various governorates, including Ajloun. 

She said it creates a “positive environment” that provides employment opportunities and productive projects which raise the standards of living and guarantee a decent life for Jordanians.

During the ceremony, agreements were signed between 10 charities and the Jordan River Foundation in the presence of Ajloun governor and a number of senior officials.