Social Stability and Resilient Livelihoods for Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanian Farm Families from Hosting Communities

10 April 2019, Amman - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted a closing ceremony to celebrate the success of their "Social Stability and Resilient Livelihoods for Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanian Farm Families from Hosting Communities" project, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. The ceremony was under the Patronage of HE Eng. Ibrahim Al-Shahahdeh, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment.

The project strengthens the livelihoods of 3,000 vulnerable people in Irbid, Mafraq and Zarqa Governorates. Through the establishment of home-based and group-based agri-food enterprises, the project strengthens food and nutrition security by boosting household income, enhancing development skills and creating employment opportunities.

Two women from Irbid and Mafraq shared their experience with the audience and expressed their appreciation for the support in setting up their small businesses and noted their improvements in knowledge thanks to the training.

In the first phase of the project, a technical training of food processing was held for 500 people. The second phase provided beneficiaries with high quality tool kits for food production, and thirdly, exhibitions were held to allow them to commercialize their products.

The key partners, Ministry of Agriculture, National Agriculture Research Centre, World Food Programme, Business Development Center, NICCOD, other UN agencies, embassies and several local community associations' board members, attended the event held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

This project addresses the needs of vulnerable Syrian refugees and Jordanian people as per Jordan's Response Plan (JRP).