Amman, June 21 (Petra) – Ministry of Water and Irrigation, in
cooperation with the National Center for Security and Crisis
Management and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC),
held an introductory workshop to design the second phase of the
National Flood Mapping Program (NFMP).

According to a ministry statement on Sunday, the workshop aimed to
address impacts of climate challenges and mitigate risks of flash
floods to protect lives and property.

The participants reviewed achievements of the first phase, which
covered the Aqaba region, and discussed priorities for the proposed
second stage, which will study the Wadi Zarqa Ma’in area as a prelude
to implement the scheme in the Kingdom’s remaining regions.

The program will provide a scientific framework to support early
warning systems and comprehensive planning, with participation of
various relevant national, security, and research institutions.

Talking at the workshop, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Water
and Irrigation, Dr. Jihad Mahamid, said the program represents “one
of the leading” initiatives in flood risk management and action on
enhancing capacity of national institutions for data-driven planning
and response.

Mahamid expressed appreciation to the Swiss Confederation,
represented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, for
its continued support in strengthening disaster risk management and
achieving “sustainable” development in the Kingdom.

Mahamid noted: “Floods and flash floods constitute one of the key
natural hazards facing Jordan amid climate change and urban
expansion.”

He said the second phase aims to expand the scope of technical work
and enhance institutional governance and consolidate concept of
integrated risk management to ensure effort sustainability and
implement outcomes in decision-making.

In turn, SDC representative and Director of Disaster Risk Reduction
Projects, Suhaib Abu Nasser, highlighted the paradox of water
scarcity in Jordan, which combines the risk of sudden floods that can
form in hours and leave lasting effects for years.

He said vision to understand and prepare for these risks has become
“key” to achieve development, security, and sustainability.

Abu Nasser added that the first phase demonstrated Jordan’s
possession of the efficient expertise to build “advanced” scientific
knowledge.

He noted Switzerland’s pride in its “long-standing” partnership with
Jordan and its commitment to harnessing its technical expertise to
serve Jordanian partners to develop a “modern and sustainable” flood
risk management system led by Jordan to achieve its priorities.

//Petra// AG