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AMMAN — "Restoring Hope," a "ground-breaking" Jordanian initiative for amputee support, seeks to expand globally, following its achievements in Gaza over the past six months. 

Launched in the autumn of 2024 upon directives by His Majesty King Abdullah, “Restoring Hope” initiative has transformed hundreds of lives in Gaza through the medical cadres of the Royal Medical Services of Jordan working currently at the Jordanian field hospital in southern Gaza. 

The initiative's Mobile Amputee Support Units (MASUs) bring "high-quality" prosthetic care directly to patients in challenging environments, "dramatically" reducing the time from injury to mobility.

In his speech on Wednesday, at the opening session of the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, His Majesty talked about the “Restoring Hope” initiative and called on organisations and activists to join its ongoing efforts. 

“To date, over 400 amputees, including children, have benefitted and acquired new hope. And behind every statistic is a face, a story, a life of immeasurable value. They are back with family once more. We are immensely proud of the Jordanian doctors and technicians who have responded to the need,” His Majesty said in the speech. 

“We call this initiative, ‘Restoring Hope.’ And here at this Global Disability Summit, we ask you, the champions of disability rights, to join us in helping “restore hope” to Gazans, and others in jeopardy, worldwide.”

“Through Restoring Hope, we demonstrated that leadership, compassion, and innovation flourish in the darkest and most difficult of places,” His Majesty said.

The Restoring Hope initiative has achieved remarkable results in its initial phase with nearly 415 patients fitted with prosthetics in the first six months. Some patients have averaged 4,000 steps within one week of fitting. This has been part of ongoing patient monitoring and support. 

In addition, more than 40 prosthetists have been trained in rapid-fitting techniques and smart monitoring. Integration with electronic patient records has enhanced follow-up care across the discipline and enabled e-consultations with Jordan specialist centres for trauma and rehabilitation.

So far, two specialised teams have deployed to serve patients and referral pathways have been established for other field hospitals. In parallel, a university-based clinical research programme has been launched to further evaluate these approaches, and over 20 expert briefings disseminated globally, Amman-based Restoring Hope Society said in a statement.

What distinguishes Restoring Hope is its collaborative approach, drawing on insights from thought leaders and pioneers across multiple countries. The initiative represents a paradigm shift in humanitarian healthcare by integrating digital health technologies, innovative prosthetic designs, psycho-social support and mobile care delivery.

"The impact of Restoring Hope extends far beyond the numbers," said Rami Farraj, Chair of the Restoring Hope Society. "We hope to see children being able to return to school, adults regain their independence, and families rebuild their lives. Each prosthetic fitting represents not just restored mobility but restored dignity and opportunity."

As part of the two-day Global Disability Summit, Edward Hall, advisor to the Restoring Hope Society, participated in a panel discussion on Thursday, titled "From Risk Reduction to Recovery: Disability Inclusive Practices for Disaster and conflict”, during which he talked about the objectives and future plans of Restoring Hope Society. 

He said that Restoring Hope Society aims to establish Jordan as a regional centre of excellence for rehabilitation and trauma care, serving as a knowledge hub for innovative healthcare delivery in challenging environments.  As the model expands, a further regional training session will run during April in Amman.

The initiative exemplifies King Abdullah's commitment to compassionate leadership, innovation, and building regional stability through humanitarian action, Hall said.

The Global Disability Summit brought together world leaders, disability rights advocates, and humanitarian organizations to accelerate progress toward disability inclusion worldwide. His Majesty's participation underscored Jordan's commitment to leading regional efforts in disability inclusion and humanitarian innovation.

AMMAN — The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) said on Thursday that mobile operators have completed initial technical tests of the new cell broadcast emergency alert system in various regions throughout the Kingdom.

According to a TRC statement, "Zain Jordan will conduct the first live test on Sunday, sending emergency alert messages to subscribers in specific geographic areas. Other mobile carriers will follow with their own tests on dates to be announced soon," the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

"These tests are part of a government-directed initiative to enhance emergency response capabilities and ensure rapid communication with the public during crisis situations," the statement added. "The system will be activated during severe weather events, natural disasters, and other emergencies requiring immediate public action."

The TRC stressed that the new alert system would deliver critical information directly to mobile devices, enabling recipients to take necessary precautions and follow official guidance during emergencies.

AMMAN — The Public Security Directorate (PSD) on Thursday warned the public about fraudulent social media pages advertising non-existent concerts featuring famous artists at high prices.

A PSD spokesperson said that authorities have identified multiple pages promoting these deceptive events, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Although no official fraud complaints have been filed yet, the spokesperson urged citizens to remain vigilant, verify event details through official sources, and avoid making payments to unverified platforms.

The PSD emphasised the importance of relying on trusted sources to prevent financial losses and falling victim to online scams.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Education and Germany's Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in inclusive education for students with disabilities.

The agreement was finalised during the Third Global Disability Summit currently being held in Berlin, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah said the MoU reflects "our shared commitment to empowering children with disabilities with their right to equal education," noting that the summit marks "a new step towards achieving inclusive education for all."

Mahafzah said that the cooperation aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, with the aim of eliminating barriers that prevent children with disabilities from accessing inclusive educational environments, thus providing them with equal opportunities for growth and learning.

He added that the agreement builds upon a May 2024 debt swap arrangement, which allocated 5 million euros to support inclusive education initiatives in Jordan. The funding is expected to enhance the educational environment and facilitate the effective integration of students with disabilities.

This initiative is in line with Jordan’s Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Education Strategy 2020-2030, reinforcing the country’s commitment to achieving comprehensive and sustainable education for all, Mahafzah noted.

The minister added that the partnership’s objectives include integrating students with disabilities into public schools and promoting gender equality, with a particular focus on supporting girls with disabilities in realising their educational and professional aspirations.

The initiative will focus on developing schools to accommodate students with a wide range of disabilities, sensory, physical, intellectual, and psychosocial, ensuring a comfortable and stimulating educational environment for all learners, he said.

Mahafzah pointed out that implementation will be carried out in partnership with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Ministry of Education, with additional support from the German Development Bank (KfW).

The minister said that the initiative is expected to benefit children with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 18, fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Practical steps will be determined through a field assessment involving schools, teachers, students, and parents to ensure that the needs of students are met and the best possible outcomes are achieved, Mahafzah noted.

The minister stressed that education is pivotal to sustainable development, stressing that no educational system can be truly inclusive and equitable without providing equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

He expressed gratitude for the support of this initiative and looked forward to continued cooperation to achieve its ambitious goals.

The Third Global Disability Summit is being jointly organised by the Jordanian and German governments and the International Disability Alliance.

AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Thursday emphasised that technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are crucial in fostering the independence, integration, and dignity of persons with disabilities across all aspects of life.

Speaking at the session "Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship: Supporting Independent Living for Persons with Disabilities" during the Third Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin, Bani Mustafa highlighted Jordan’s legislative progress in advancing disability rights, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

She underscored the country’s commitment to aligning legal frameworks with international agreements, citing the amendment to Article 6 of the Jordanian Constitution as a milestone in affirming disability rights. She also pointed to the Social Development Law of 2024 and related regulations that support social inclusion and accessibility.

The minister also noted that Jordan has made significant strides in assistive technology, integrating AI-driven solutions, smart devices, and assistive applications into education, healthcare, rehabilitation, and social services. "These advancements have improved accessibility and the overall quality of life for persons with disabilities," she added.

Bani Mustafa also outlined achievements in inclusive education, economic empowerment, and equitable healthcare access, emphasising that ensuring full independence for persons with disabilities requires a collaborative effort from governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations.

The minister also called for greater investment in assistive technology, making it more affordable and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among persons with disabilities, stressing the need to translate legal commitments into practical policies and initiatives that drive real change.

On the sidelines of the summit, Bani Mustafa met separately with French Minister for Autonomy and Disability Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq and German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze. 

During the talks, Bani Mustafa reviewed the key achievements in empowering Jordan's people with disabilities, in terms of legislative frameworks and the system of services provided to this group.

The minister pointed to the importance of enhancing opportunities for cooperation and exchanging expertise in promoting the autonomy of people with disabilities by their integration and empowerment to achieve independence in daily life.

Bani Mustafa also highlighted the efforts made to implement Jordan's Social Protection Strategy, in partnership with several institutions and ministries, which work to implement the strategy's provisions.

“The strategy's four axes of empowerment, dignity, opportunity, and resilience aim to provide a protection system for target groups, including persons with disabilities,” she said.

The minister added that integration of persons with disabilities within the framework of the Shelter Alternatives Strategy aims to enable them to achieve the "highest possible" level of independence, productivity, and participation in society.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, in Berlin on Thursday, met with Friedrich Merz, federal chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) party, who is the candidate to be the next chancellor of Germany.

His Majesty expressed Jordan’s keenness to continue strengthening ties with Germany and expand cooperation across various fields, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Discussions also touched on issues of mutual concern, as well as regional developments, the statement said.