Irbid, Aug. 18 (Petra) – Head of the Greater Irbid Municipality’s committee, Emad Al-Azzam, and head of the UNHCR Executive Office in Irbid, Marjorie Cabrol, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in supporting employment and vocational development opportunities for both the local community and refugees residing in the city.

During a meeting with the UNHCR delegation, Al-Azzam underlined the importance of sustaining projects implemented in partnership between the municipality and the UN refugee agency and ensuring that they deliver a clear positive impact for both local residents and refugees in Irbid.

He said the city is one of Jordan’s oldest urban centers and, throughout its history, has been a key destination for waves of migration to the country. Despite the pressures such influxes placed on infrastructure and municipal services, he said, Irbid has long set an example of hospitality in receiving and embracing refugees.

Al-Azzam stressed that cooperation with international partners is a vital step in helping the municipality meet the needs of the local community and ensuring the inclusion of all groups in sustainable development.

For her part, Cabrol praised the municipality’s support for the "Economic Empowerment Center" in Tunis Park, also known as the Ecorama Hub, the first of its kind in Jordan.

She expressed appreciation for the municipality’s efforts in facilitating the project’s implementation, noting that UNHCR will continue working with the municipality to secure its sustainability in the public interest.

The agreement aims to activate the Economic Empowerment Center project, designed as an integrated platform bringing together national and international institutions involved in promoting livelihoods, to showcase their programs and initiatives in this field.

The project targets small business owners by helping promote their products and services, while also providing digital learning programs, career counseling, and professional development opportunities.

//Petra// AF

18/08/2025 21:50:38