King honours national institutions, individuals for distinguished efforts to counter COVID-19

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, on Friday honoured national institutions and individuals for their distinguished efforts that bolstered Jordan’s capabilities to counter coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

At a ceremony held at Al Husseiniya Palace on the first day of Eid Al Adha, the Muslim feast marking the end of the pilgrimage season, the honourees received medals in recognition of their efforts, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah bestowed the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on the Ministry of Interior, in appreciation of its ongoing efforts to safeguard citizens’ security and wellbeing, while coordinating with the crisis management cell on COVID-19.

His Majesty also bestowed the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on the Ministry of Health, in recognition of the efforts of medical staff at its hospitals, as well as its employees and epidemiological investigation teams, in countering COVID-19.

In appreciation of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the country and lead the main crisis management cell on COVID-19, as well as the role of the Royal Medical Services in countering the virus, the King granted JAF the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree.

His Majesty also bestowed the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on the General Intelligence Department, in appreciation of its efforts to safeguard the nation and coordinate with the COVID-19 crisis management cell.

In recognition of the Public Security Directorate’s efforts to counter COVID-19, and its coordination with the crisis management cell to safeguard the security of the public, the King awarded it the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree.

His Majesty also granted the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree to the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, in appreciation of its key role in managing the crisis response to COVID-19 and coordinating with all parties involved by providing timely data.

In appreciation of its role in creating programmes and measures to support citizens’ livelihoods and safeguard their employment during the exceptional period of COVID-19, as well as efforts to support the private sector in dealing with the pandemic’s implications, the King awarded the Social Security Corporation the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree.

In recognition of its support for the national economy and for maintaining its production and export operations efficiently at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, while adhering to health and safety standards, His Majesty granted the Arab Potash Company the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree.

The King also bestowed the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on Chinese businessman and philanthropist Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group and founder of the Jack Ma Foundation, in appreciation of his donations to support Jordan’s health sector with medical equipment and supplies that bolstered the Kingdom’s efforts to counter COVID-19.

His Majesty awarded Mawdoo3.com, founded by Rami Al Qawasmi and Mohammad Jaber Tawafsheh, the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree, in appreciation of its efforts since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis in providing an advanced online platform for remote learning at record speed.

The King granted Yasser Jallad the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Second Degree, in recognition of his work to galvanise volunteers in order to provide support for families in need and daily wage workers who were hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis, as well as his voluntary work to raise awareness and safeguard public health and safety in various governorates.

Moreover, His Majesty bestowed the King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Second Degree on Fadia Samara, for her efforts in forming the Himmetna initiative team and properly utilising corporate social responsibility funds to support sectors of priority in coordination with public institutions, such as revamping Al Bashir Hospital’s Oncology Department and opening a specialised quarantine ward for COVID-19 patients at Al Hussein Medical Centre.

The King awarded educator Omar Bdour the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree, for his role in ensuring students in remote areas in Tafileh Governorate have access to education during the COVID-19 lockdown, by reaching students at their homes and providing them with the equipment needed to facilitate remote learning.

In appreciation of her efforts to empower women in the Badia and her voluntary and charity work to support underprivileged families and orphans, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, His Majesty bestowed the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree on Nofa Fayez.

The King awarded the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree to Rakan Fakhoury, in recognition of his efforts to launch the Himmetna initiative and provide support to underprivileged families and daily wage workers who were affected by the COVID-19 crisis, as well as voluntary efforts to raise awareness and safeguard public health in Zarqa Governorate.

A short video on the honourees was screened during the ceremony, attended by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Feisal and Prince Rashid, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, His Majesty’s advisers, and senior officials and officers.