Dead Sea, November 16, 2021 – In continuity of the efforts to build the capacities of the COVID-19 Youth Volunteers’ Taskforce functioning as part of the national initiative launched by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan, and with the support of the Government of Norway, 60 young men and women from the governorates of Aqaba, Tafilah and Ma’an participated in the Fourth and final round of the Training programme of the Youth Taskforce at the Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel. The Youth Volunteers’ Taskforce will work within their local communities to raise awareness on COVID-19 preventive measures, and support boosting the vaccination rates. Governor Mohammad Al-Sarhan, director of the Local Development Directorate at the Ministry of Interior, delivered welcoming remarks thanking UNDP and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway for supporting this initiative. Al-Sarhan lauded the efforts and partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship MoDEE, Dar Abu Abdullah and the Royal Health Awareness Society. He then briefed the youth on the plans of MoI to prepare the Youth Taskforce for work in the field.

Mr. Baker al-Hiyari, Senior Programmes Specialist at the Governance and Peace Pillar at UNDPs Jordan Country Office, elaborated that UNDP in cooperation with MoI implemented many projects that supported decentralization and local and economic development, and that the youth are the most negatively affected from the COVID-19 pandemic. “All our projects support decentralization, and as youth are the majority in your communities, it was important that you lead and implement such initiatives. These new challenges require fresh energies.”  He added that the local governments and health organizations were the first respondent institutions in the fight against COVID-19. With the support of the Norwegian Government, UNDP was able to support those institutions and strengthen their resilience against COVID-19 as part of the Network of Local Governments project, and this initiative is an essential part to reach our goals and achieve our shared vision of a safe and prosperous Jordan.

UNDP supports programmes and policies that promote the civic and political participation of young people and qualify them to be partners in decision-making at the national and local levels.

Mr. al-Hiyari introduced the participants to the network of Local Governments project that aims to promote transparency and accountability, enhance community outreach at the local level and link decision makers with youth and local communities.

The training programme introduced COVID-19 preventive measures and vaccinations, and trained the participants on Sanad Application, communication skills and how to deal with resistance to vaccination and safety measures in local communities. The trained 240 young men and women from all over Jordan, will support the MoI Inspection Teams in the field as they raise the awareness of public and private and advise establishments and individuals on the relevance of the COVID-19 vaccination and its direct link to the recovery of the economy and safe functioning of all sectors of the economy.