Jordan Times
Friday, December 3, 2004
Task force targets poor
communities
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN — The government is expected to begin next week a profile and
needs-assessment analysis of some 20 impoverished communities identified as
having some of the highest levels of poverty in the Kingdom.
Based on the recommendations of the Prime Ministry's development committee, a
follow-up committee entrusted with the task will carry out field visits to
examine the challenges faced by these communities.
The task is set to take four weeks, according to the head of the social
productivity programme unit at the Ministry of Planning and International
Cooperation (MoPIC), Omar Rafie.
“Each ministry will submit a profile on the areas visited, specifying priority
projects and the range of other government initiatives already under way there,”
said Rafie, who is also head of follow-up committee.
“The plan is to come up with a comprehensive report/strategy for the
implementation of integrated projects to improve the living conditions and
productivity of communities in these areas,” he added.
The MoPIC official said the report would include details on the design and cost
of proposed projects, the mechanism for implementation and project duration.
The follow-up committee is comprised of officials from the ministries of social
development, health, education, trade and industry, public works and housing,
water and irrigation, agriculture, environment and the ministry of energy and
mineral resources.
According to the latest assessment of poverty in the Kingdom, the percentage of
those living below the JD313.5 per capita per year poverty line, as defined by
the World Bank, decreased from 21 per cent in 1992 to 14.2 per cent in 2002.
The World Bank-funded study identified 20 pockets of poverty most concentrated
in the northeastern governorates of Zarqa and Mafraq.
The incidence of poverty, however, was found to be deepest in 13 localities
which include Rweished, Wadi Araba, Duleil, Sleihiyya, Deir Al Kahf, Al Jafr,
Mreigha, Azraq and Ghweirah.
According to Rafie, a profile and needs-assessment of these areas will help
identify new productivity enhancement opportunities to increase living
standards.
The government has taken steps to address poverty and unemployment over the past
decade through a new generation of programmes that target inequality.
Major projects, such as the Socio-Economic Transformation Plan, focus on
improving living conditions in remote and rural areas through basic
infrastructure development, improvement in basic services and vocational
training.
A host of nongovernmental organisations have also been busy helping poor
communities develop small income-generating initiatives that would provide them
with sustainable means of livelihood.
While such programmes do well in serving the needs of impoverished segments,
“there have been various interventions in these communities over the past few
years which include micro-finance, infrastructure development and other services
for the community,” said Rafie.
“A close assessment of the needs of these communities will help us identify
specific projects that will directly impact their lives and refine the approach
being taken under different project implementation,” he added.