Nayrouz News Agency : His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday commended the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation’s (JHCO) role amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, and its international and regional humanitarian and relief efforts.

On a visit to the JHCO’s warehouses in Ghabawi, King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, checked on the organisation’s strategic reserves, noting the importance of preparedness for the regional aftermath of COVID-19, by maintaining food security through strategic reserves.

His Majesty praised the JHCO’s efforts in providing emergency relief to several countries, stressing that Jordan will remain a source of support for other countries in times of need, in line with the teachings and values of Islam, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King urged enhancing coordination between the JHCO and relevant institutions to streamline relief efforts, in addition to encouraging volunteerism and civic service, as well as implementing development programmes in all governorates.

During the visit, His Majesty was shown preparations for the JHCO’s latest campaign to safeguard student and teacher health in public schools, which is set to start at the beginning of the academic year.

For his part, HRH Prince Rashid, chairperson of the JHCO’s board of trustees, said the organisation’s achievements and aid distribution models come as a result of the King’s directives and in coordination with the Royal Hashemite Court and the Ministry of Social Development.

Prince Rashid said Jordan’s geopolitical standing enables it to provide assistance to the region, noting that the JHCO cooperates with all relief and development institutions to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.

His Royal Highness added that the JHCO’s projects aim to serve the local community and provide employment opportunities in various areas.

Speaking during the visit, JHCO Secretary General Ayman Al Mufleh noted the Royal directives to turn the organisation into an emergency response hub domestically and internationally, as it has signed a number of agreements with regional, international, and UN organisations.

Mufleh said the JHCO has experience in providing assistance to disaster areas or countries in need, the latest of which being Lebanon, in addition to providing assistance to Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip.

The JHCO has been working domestically as part of the social protection taskforce to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, receiving and processing in-kind donations and dispatching food and sanitary packages to 185,000 people from all over Jordan, according to Mufleh.

He added that the JHCO has also provided the relevant institutions with 450 prefabricated trailers to be used in quarantine areas, and provided 210,000 people with clothing through its Charity Clothes Bank initiative.

Additionally, 203 families have benefitted from the JHCO’s Charity Car initiative, launched this year to deliver in-kind and financial assistance to people around the Kingdom, he said.

Highlighting the JHCO’s work at Palestinian refugee camps, Mufleh noted that onsite clinics are being provided with medical supplies, adding that 23,000 food and sanitary packages have been distributed, and eight schools have been equipped with computer labs and smart boards.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Minister of Social Development Basma Ishaqat accompanied His Majesty on the visit.