Amman: 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 Jordan News Agency, 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 implementing 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.