Jordan strengthens local resilience through climate action and wildfire prevention

In Jordan's northern governorate of Irbid, a local resilience planning process supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has evolved into a growing movement of community-led action, government ownership and climate resilience. More than a year after the completion of the project, its recommendations are continuing to shape local priorities, demonstrating how risk-informed planning can translate into tangible action on the ground.

Through the project "Harnessing Synergies between Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Responses of Inclusive Health Systems for Migrants in Jordan," implemented by the Jordan Climate Action Network (CAN) with support from UNDRR, Irbid Governorate developed its first Local Resilience Action Plan (LRAP). The initiative strengthened institutional coordination, assessed climate and disaster risks, integrated public health considerations into resilience planning, and identified practical actions to reduce vulnerabilities across communities.

Today, those recommendations are no longer confined to a planning document.

From Local Risk Assessment to Community Action

One of the priorities identified through the Local Resilience Action Plan was the growing risk posed by wildfires and the degradation of vegetation resulting from climate change, prolonged dry seasons and increasing temperatures.

Recognizing the importance of acting before disasters occur, the Governor of Irbid has launched a national campaign to remove invasive and highly flammable vegetation in Kufrabil, Al Koura District. The campaign brings together government institutions, local communities and volunteers to reduce wildfire risks while protecting one of Jordan's important natural landscapes.

Building on the resilience priorities identified through the UNDRR-supported project, the Jordan Climate Action Network (CAN) is contributing to the campaign by providing technical expertise, community outreach and logistical support.

The initiative represents a practical example of how disaster risk reduction begins long before an emergency occurs through prevention, preparedness and community engagement.

Communities at the Centre of Resilience

As part of its contribution, CAN is mobilizing volunteers and local communities through its "Climate Watcher" (Al-Munther Al-Monakhi) initiative, promoting greater understanding of the links between climate change, wildfire risk, environmental degradation and public safety.

The campaign combines awareness sessions with practical field activities, equipping volunteers with the knowledge and tools needed to safely participate in vegetation management while strengthening community preparedness and environmental stewardship.

By connecting climate awareness with local action, the initiative is helping communities become active partners in reducing disaster risks rather than passive recipients of emergency response.

"The true measure of resilience is not the completion of a plan, but the actions it inspires. The experience in Irbid demonstrates how local resilience planning can become a catalyst for sustained action, empowering local institutions and communities to translate risk knowledge into practical solutions that protect lives, livelihoods and ecosystems. This is exactly the type of locally led resilience that the Sendai Framework seeks to promote." Said Sandra Amlang, UNDRR ROAS Chief. 

A Partnership That Continues Beyond the Project

The continued implementation of resilience activities demonstrates the lasting value of investing in local resilience planning.

Since completing the UNDRR-supported project, CAN has continued to expand its resilience work across Jordan through partnerships with national and international organizations. Current initiatives include strengthening early warning systems, promoting nature-based solutions, enhancing water resilience, supporting community preparendess and advancing climate adaptation in municipalities.

These efforts build directly upon the institutional capacities, partnerships and local ownership established through the resilience planning process in Irbid.

“The Local Resilience Action Plan was never intended to be an end in itself, but rather a starting point for sustained action. We are proud to see how the partnerships, knowledge, and priorities established through this process continue to generate tangible benefits for communities in Irbid and contribute to strengthening climate resilience and disaster preparedness in Jordan.”  Eng. Doa'a Al-Derabani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Climate Action Association in Jordan (CAN Jordan)

A Model for Sustainable Resilience

The experience in Irbid highlights an important lesson: resilience planning is only the beginning.

When local governments, civil society, communities and development partners work together around a shared vision, resilience plans become living frameworks that guide investments, mobilize partnerships and inspire collective action.

Rather than ending with the completion of a project, the Local Resilience Action Plan has become a catalyst for continued implementation, demonstrating how disaster risk reduction can be embedded into local development priorities and community initiatives.

For UNDRR, this represents the ultimate objective of resilience-building, not producing plans, but enabling local actors to lead their own resilience journey.

As climate-related hazards continue to intensify across the region, the experience of Irbid offers a compelling example of how locally owned, risk-informed planning can create lasting impact, strengthen partnerships and translate resilience from policy into practice.