Dhiban, June 21 (Petra) - A local advocacy plan under the Tabeaa (Nature) project was launched in the Dhiban district in Madaba on Sunday to strengthen climate resilience and reduce disaster risks.
Implemented by Mercy Corps with support from the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance and the Swiss Embassy in Jordan, the Tabeaa project targets five areas considered particularly vulnerable to climate risks: Dhiban, Mleih, Azraq, Wadi Musa, and Shobak.
Its interventions include nature-based solutions, afforestation, water harvesting, groundwater recharge, slope stabilization, public-awareness campaigns, and disaster-preparedness training.
Mahmoud Hweiyan, representing Dhiban’s local community team, said the project highlights the area’s main climate-related challenges, including flash floods, sudden torrents, and rising temperatures.
He said these hazards disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including patients, students, women, and low-income households.
Tabeaa Project representative Rima Nofal said the initiative combines community engagement, capacity-building, and risk-informed local planning to improve climate response.
She said Jordan faces major climate challenges, including flooding, rising temperatures, and water scarcity, requiring policies and programs that strengthen community resilience.
The project operates at the national and local levels through partnerships, climate-adaptation investment, and guidance developed with the Ministry of Local Administration. It also includes a community-led advocacy program overseen by the Ministry of Environment.
Engineer Noor Qbeilat said the Dhiban advocacy plan was developed in 2026, with related activities expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The plan seeks to improve community and institutional preparedness for flash floods, strengthen coordination among relevant authorities, and identify priority interventions, particularly for buildings and areas located within flood channels or exposed to flooding.
Dhiban District Governor Bandar Zaben emphasized the need for coordinated action between government institutions and local communities to improve prevention and emergency response.
Madaba Governorate Council Committee Chairman Hussam Odeh said a field survey had identified flood-related risks across Madaba. He noted that unregulated construction in valleys and flood channels remains a major challenge requiring structural solutions.
He also cited overlapping responsibilities among government bodies as an obstacle to the rapid implementation of measures.
The project further seeks to promote climate-smart investment and participatory governance by involving stakeholders and decision-makers in developing sustainable and scalable solutions.
//Petra// AO
