Center for Strategic Studies holds session on the implications of COVID-19 crisis
Jordan NGOs Forum (JONAF) participated in a research discussion session titled “The Jordanian Health Sector and the Challenges amid COVID-19”, held by the Center for Strategic Studies – University of Jordan on November 7, 2020. Participating were high-level government representatives and specialized experts representing civil society and different other sectors; the aim was to gauge the implications of the COVID-19 crisis on the health sector, and the expectations and recommendations required to deal with the rapid developments in the general COVID-19 epidemiological situation.
The session also aimed to open the door to dialogue on the COVID-19 crisis emergency situation between Minister of Health Dr. Nazir Obeidat and the sectors that have a duty to contribute to addressing the repercussions of the crisis, such as the private and public health sector, the media and civil society represented by JONAF, thus encouraging inter-sectoral collaboration to strengthen efforts to respond to the crisis in its various stages.
Advocate Samar Muhareb executive director of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), the JONAF coordinator, stressed the importance of addressing the various needs of the most affected groups, including women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, refugees, day laborers and migrant workers, and of the role played by civil society institutions, from both local and international humanitarian organizations, in providing direct health and in-kind support to families affected by closures, in addition to their role in raising the communities’ awareness and motivating them to respect the government measures, taken in response to the seriousness of the outbreak.
She said: “While appreciating the role of the Center for Strategic Studies in confirming the importance of partnership with civil society organizations, we urge government agencies to provide more space for all sectors that have expertise and capabilities to respond and help in these cumulative crises whose health impact has begun to extend to other vital sectors, such as education, work and access to justice.”
