Japan continues support for Jordan’s border management through IOM project

AMMAN — The Government of Japan has allocated $754,953 to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to support strengthening Jordan’s border management at the country’s North-Eastern border. 

Through this funding, IOM will implement a project to support Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army (JAF) in establishing and upgrading their capacity to provide emergency urgent trauma care at the North-East border area, according to a statement from IOM.

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

Ambassador of Japan to Jordan Jiro Okuyama said: “Due to instability in Jordan’s neighbouring region, the Government of Japan recognises 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.”

Tajma Kurt, chief of Mission at IOM Jordan, said: “Given the strong commitment of JAF in upholding the territorial integrity of Jordan against the increased presence of smugglers at the North-Eastern 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.” 

Collaboration between the governments of Japan, Jordan and the IOM is reflected in a recently completed project, inaugurated in Aqaba on March 2. The project successfully contributed to the drafting of guidelines that would help the Jordanian Border Authorities effectively address issues with communicable diseases, improved the infrastructure of medical facilities and provided medical equipment at four prioritised points of entry; Karamah, Jaber, Wadi Araba and Al Durra.