The deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Syria has forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians to flee and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Jordan, placing a considerable burden on local Jordanian host communities and their basic social and economic services. Crowding effects in the local market, in particular with regards to housing and labour, are widely reported in the Northern governorates as is the pressure on basic service delivery, especially solid waste management, where municipalities are unable to meet the demands. In addition, a growing feeling of unfairness and exclusion are emerging among Jordanians, especially the poorer and more vulnerable groups.

One of the major issues faced at the regional level is solid waste management and treatment, and UNDP will provide support to the Joint Services Council in the Northern governorate of Irbid, to improve solid waste management at the Alakedir dumping site while offering durable solutions for improvement of social service delivery to the affected populations through ensuring that the assistance provided in the current context complements, governmental development efforts.

The current project proposal is an integral part of the overall programme framework “Mitigating the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on Jordanian vulnerable host communities”, signed by UNDP and the Government of Jordan.

The complainant alleges that after becoming aware of the construction of a waste management and transfer station in Jerash area, Jordan, they protested its establishment to avoid negative environmental and social impacts. The complainant sought documents to which they were entitled, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment, and claim to have been denied access by the UNDP Country Office.  They sought to engage with UNDP as stakeholders on the project on the project and were rebuffed.  The allegations state that the rejections from UNDP Jordan were accompanied by harassment and retaliation. Complainant notes that they are the recipient of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) small grant. The Complainant alleges that the waste management/transfer station appears to have been stopped, but that the failure of proper natural resource management by UNDP and damage to regional biodiversity remain major problems for the community.