AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday, decided to task the Ministry of Social Development with replacing 15,000 unsafe heaters with safe ones for eligible families as part of the “Safe Winter” campaign launched at the start of the winter season, allocating the necessary funds for this purpose.

 

Distribution will be carried out through social development centres in the governorates and Tkiyet Um Ali, continuing the Ministry of Social Development’s annual winter efforts, alongside other relevant ministries, to support eligible families through various initiatives and programmes, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

 

The Cabinet also reviewed progress in disbursing financial assistance to families affected by recent weather conditions, in accordance with the criteria and regulations set by the Ministry of Social Development/National Aid Fund, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

The Cabinet directed the completion of financial allocations for affected families and the disbursement of assistance following the completion of damage assessments by the relevant ministries after applications are submitted.

 

Payments will continue to be made in phases, including compensation for lands damaged by landslides in the Marj area of Karak governorate, to be covered from the emergency expenditure item in the current year’s general budget.

 

Relevant ministries have so far paid compensation to more than 120 families in affected areas and will continue to do so for additional eligible families in the coming days until all allocated funds are disbursed, the statement read.

 

A study is also under way to compensate another group of families whose homes were damaged by severe weather and heavy rainfall, with damage assessments being conducted to determine compensation in line with applicable regulations.

 

The Cabinet also decided to extend its previous decision to support agricultural exports of fresh vegetables and fruits, covering 50 per cent of air freight costs and 25 per cent of sea freight costs.

 

The decision follows a study assessing the impact of the export support programme on the flow of exports to non-traditional markets, which showed clear success. Exports of vegetables and fruits increased by 38 per cent compared with the same period in 2024, offsetting a 42 per cent decline in maritime exports compared with 2025.

 

The move also aims to expand access to non-traditional markets, which increased from 12 markets in 2024 to around 17 markets in 2025, following the entry of new markets as a result of reduced shipping costs and easier access, the statement read.

 

The Cabinet also approved the “Local Financing Solutions to Support the Transformation of the Agri-Food System in Jordan” programme, to be implemented in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan.

 

The project aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision, which focuses on food security and resource management by promoting high-value industries. It aims to transform fruit and vegetable production in the Kingdom into a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable food system through production-related activities, supporting the formation of agricultural alliances, and training and qualifying them to benefit from opportunities in the agricultural sector and ensure their development and sustainability.

 

The Cabinet also approved the regional project document titled “Food Coalition – Transforming Agri-Food Systems to Be More Resilient to Shocks,” in cooperation with the Italian government, between the Kingdom and the FAO.

 

Implemented in several countries, the project includes activities to reduce food loss and waste, in line with the National Food Security Strategy and its action plan. It also focuses on preventing, reducing and managing food loss and waste, as well as strengthening farmers’ market networks at the regional and global levels.

 

The Cabinet also approved the final version of the amended improvement plan for Jordan’s performance in the Global Innovation Index issued by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and decided to circulate it to relevant entities and institutions to begin implementing the required measures within their respective mandates.