Mercy Corps Jordan opens first “Bouldering Wall” in Zaatari camp

AMMAN — Mercy Corps Jordan on Tuesday opened the first bouldering wall in Zaatari refugee camp, intended to enhance social cohesion and confidence among at-risk Syrian youth through nature-based engagement.

According to a statement from Mercy Corps Jordan, the opening ceremony was attended by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Jordan, Ali Yang, Mercy Corps Jordan Country Director, Darius Radicliffe and representatives from the Syrian Refugee Affairs Directorate (SRAD) and UNHCR, in Za’atari camp district 4.

The bouldering wall is the first of its kind in Zaatari camp, and is designed to help adolescents develop their psychosocial resilience and critical thinking abilities.

Radcliffe thanked all donors who have supported the project since its beginning, and emphasised the significance of the bouldering wall to the camp's adolescents, saying: "Through the bouldering wall, adolescents will be provided with structured opportunities to set and achieve goals, develop personal and social skills and become more resilient and self-aware to better connect with their community and the natural environment."

Mercy Corps' ISHRAK is a family strengthening project that provides psychosocial support to fortify bonds between family members in stressful situations. 

Within the ISHRAK programme, there are three integrated pillars: Empowering Individuals; Family Integration; and Community Support. It is designed to address the interlinked problems of toxic stress, domestic and gender-based violence, and lack of agency enjoyed by women and girls, according to the statement.