In efforts to activate the role of local organizations in supporting the government, the Jordanian National NGOs Forum (JONAF), consisting of over 40 local organizations from around the Kingdom, came up with a new plan to address the second wave of Covid-19 and its exacerbated ramifications on health, economy and social aspects of life. The second phase of its response plan, which will last for three months, complements the immediate response plan it had launched in March 2020. The first phase had a considerable impact as aid was delivered, amid exceptional circumstances and with limited funding, to over 100,000 people from the most vulnerable groups, such as women, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, day laborers, guest workers, refugees and immigrants throughout the Kingdom.
The second phase focuses on four aspects. The first is centered on protection and prevention and includes regular assessments of the needs of the most impacted groups, working closely with the government, within the response frameworks, and offering the expertise of the forum members, developing capacities of local member organizations in providing qualitative gender-responsive aid, and building on the values of solidarity and collaboration within the community. The second focuses on providing aid that ensures the health and livelihood needs of the communities are met, including providing legal and social protection services and emergency lines, and the establishment of referral systems within the concerned organizations and establishments. The third manages information to support policies and decision-making processes to deliver a better response to crises, including collecting and disseminating information through various media outlets, assessing the gaps, revealed throughout the crisis, related to human resources, labor rights, social protection, taxes, etc., preparing policy briefs at local, national and international levels to ensure that decisions are being made in light of the information and advocacy efforts are exerted based on facts. Fourth is ensuring a comprehensive collaboration with the government throughout the period needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Samar Muhareb, CEO of ARDD, coordinator and member of the steering committee of JONAF said: “What is happening in Jordan requires recognition of the role of local civil society organizations in exerting comprehensive efforts to respond to the increasing needs of the population, ensuring a participatory approach of all groups of society and amplifying their voices, including them in the response in order to utilize all efforts that can contribute to limiting the consequences of the crisis, and encouraging initiatives and taking responsibility for finding a solution and being part of it.”
Dr Sawsan Al Majali, co-founder of Durrat Almanal for Development and Training, and member of the JONAF steering committee said: “The whole world is facing the second and third waves of the pandemic, which requires governments and communities to work hard to implement the measures necessary to protect the well-being of communities and economies. This is only achievable through the collaboration of civil society and governments, as each one of us has a role that starts with committing to basic health protection measures and ends with supporting our communities. We are all together in this battle, we must be proactive and do what is best for the interest of our country and community.”
Ms. Lina Al Kalash, CEO of Tamkeen for legal aid and human rights said: “Day laborers and guest workers and their families are still enduring massive burdens, embodied in multiple closures and curfews, as well as lack of access to digital social protection services and platforms.”
Ms. Manal Al Wazani, CEO of Durrat Almanal said that civil society organizations in Jordan are capable of fulfilling their social role as supporting institutions to the government efforts as they possess a network of technical expertise and advanced databases related to responses to a pandemic, which must be invested in order to limit the ramifications of the pandemic.
JONAF steering committee members stressed the importance of the role of media in supporting these efforts and raising awareness about individuals’ role in limiting the ramifications of the pandemic. They also emphasized the importance of the private sector’s support to these efforts and ensuring the social protection of the most vulnerable groups through solidarity, donations and assuming social responsibility towards the community.
