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Ammon News - His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal on Wednesday inaugurated the new office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Sweifieh neighborhood, west of Amman.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sarah Avrillaud, head of the ICRC delegation in Jordan, Sami Khasawneh, member of the Executive Committee of the Jordan Red Crescent Society, and several senior officials of the ICRC.

Prince El Hassan thanked the ICRC for the invitation, saying the gesture is "a continuation of the tradition of many years", and noted that his first interaction with the ICRC was after what he described as the "groundbreaking war" of 1967.

His Highness added that the Jordan Valley has been affected by unprecedented events, such as the 1967 war and the effects of climate change. He commended the ICRC for documenting its intervention in the region over the years through the images displayed on all floors of its new office building.

He also praised the organization for always being concerned about "human dignity and human safety" and for empowering those affected by armed conflict by "embracing, healing and comforting them."

He emphasized that "the ICRC is a true representation of humanity" and then proceeded to cut a ribbon to officially celebrate the start of the ICRC's work in the new building.

In her welcome remarks, ICRC head Sarah Avrillaud said: "We are proud to count your Royal Highness as a long-standing friend and supporter of the ICRC and today it is our pleasure to have you inaugurate our office."

She further informed His Royal Highness that "the ICRC in Jordan today has 300 staff and is a mix of operations supporting Jordan’s efforts in dealing with humanitarian needs and regional teams providing expertise and support to delegations in the region."

Prior to the cutting of the ribbon, His Royal Highness had toured each of the floors of the facility housing Jordan Delegation Operations, the Support units, the Logistic Support Centre, the Learning and Development Centre and the Regional Resources Network.

The ICRC opened a delegation in Jordan in 1967 and has continued to respond to various humanitarian and emergency needs of those affected by armed conflicts in the region through its operations in the country, while also promoting International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

In addition to these, it has supported Jordan in responding to the COVID 19 pandemic, largely in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centres’ Directorate (CRCD) and the Jordan Red Crescent Society.