1. Although the village is rich in ancient Byzantine ruins, it is one of Jordan’s poverty pockets with a poverty rate of 40% compared to the country’s 14%.
2. Umm al-Jimal was a first stop for Syrian refugees fleeing war before refugee camps were formed. They were welcomed.
3. The Za’atari refugee camp nearby is the largest in Jordan and sits in the municipality currently housing approximately 80,000 Syrian refugees.
4. The rich cultural heritage of Umm al-Jimal spans 2000 years through Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad,….Ottoman, Mandate Modern to today.
5. Current residents once made their homes in the ruins until the site became protected. This project reinforces local heritage by reconnecting people with the site.
6. Development of the ancient ruins as a tourist destination directly supports the local community.
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