Jordan, UNDP sign disaster response training agreement

Jordan and the UN Development Program signed an agreement to establish a training center to deal with disasters.

The $197,000 project financed by the UNDP will provide training for a number of employees in governmental and non-governmental organizations in dealing with disasters. The center will later expand its services to preserve the region and the Islamic world.

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdul-Salam Abadi signed the agreement along with the representative of the UNDP in Jordan Jorgan Lissner. "The idea for establishing the center was taken in 1985 by the Jordanian charity organization board of trustees," Abadi said.

"Jordan is very well prepared to host such a center," Lissner told reporters. "The assistance we are providing Jordan will help to bring the latest technology into the training for Jordanians and other people from the Arab region who are working with the civil defense forces and with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to reduce the impact of disasters," Lissner added.