Amman: Oxfam has launched a £25 million European Union-funded solid waste management project aimed at enhancing living conditions for approximately 130,000 Jordanians and Syrians residing in refugee camps and surrounding communities, including Greater Mafraq, Rehab, Zaatari, Manshieh, Um Al Jimal, and Al Khalidiyah. The project, implemented in collaboration with Oxfam GB, is set to span 40 months from June 2025 to September 2028.
According to the European Union, the initiative underscores its ongoing commitment to supporting refugees and host communities on World Refugee Day. H.E. Mr. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, highlighted that the project builds on years of sustained EU engagement in the Zaatari and Azraq Syrian refugee camps and nearby communities, aiming to enhance solid waste management services and foster green livelihood opportunities.
Dmitry Medlev, Oxfam in Jordan’s Country Director, noted that Syrian refugees continue to face challenges exacerbated by climate change. The EU-funded initiative recognizes Oxfam’s quality in solid waste management over the past decade and emphasizes the commitment to creating cleaner, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Community engagement is a key element of the project’s strategy. Oxfam plans to conduct 1,000 awareness-raising sessions and 35 clean-up campaigns in targeted areas, alongside three beach clean-up events in Aqaba Governorate. Furthermore, five technical training workshops will be tailored to enhance the capacity of municipalities in collaboration with Jordan’s Ministry of Local Administration.