FEATURE

UNDP support organizations discussing earthquake risk assessment at Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority  

Under the auspices of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), officials were invited to a workshop in June 2010, to discuss earthquake risk assessment with particular reference to Aqaba. The officials were representative of the fire services, Jordan Civil Defense, Jordan Red Crescent and the private sector through Aqaba Development Cooperation and the Aqaba Water Company. Other government Departments such as those of Education and Health were also represented.

This was the first time these representatives had come together to discuss concepts of disaster risk reduction and earthquake risk assessment. The workshop provided training in many aspects, from geology to the interpretation of risk assessment maps. This training formed a foundation for making risk reduction and disaster preparedness a key component of the planning process.

In particular, the audience showed a strong interest in the lecture on the Islamic perspective on natural disasters. A local representative of the Ministry of Awqaf Islamic Affairs and Holy Places explained at length that ‘’contrary to popular belief, the religion sees that natural disasters are natural, they are not necessarily disastrous to all beings, but only to vulnerable communities; when they are disastrous, they are traceable to human actions ‘’. The workshop formed part of a programme of support for strengthening national capacities in earthquake risk reduction in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, supported by the Swiss Development Agency (SDC).