His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday visited the Humaimeh region, an underprivileged desert area 300km south of Amman, but with an archaeological treasure holding socio-economic potential for nearby residents.



King Abdullah was briefed by officials and local leaders on a project that is likely to improve the living of thousands of citizens in the area, known historically as the cradle of Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasids lived in the area and built many facilities there, including a mosque and a palace for their leader.



The plan is designed to shift the focus of Humaimeh residents from government income to locally run their own sustainable development projects, mainly in the tourism sector.



Officials said the plan is to “put Humaimeh on the Kingdom's map of tourism.”



Hweimel Shayahin, head of a local tourism society in the area, said during a meeting with the King that Humaimeh was being neglected by tourism agents and guides.



The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation has allocated JD266,000 under its Productivity Enhancement Programme to revive archaeological sites in old Humaimeh, a few kilometres to the northwest of the town. Under an agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Planning Ministry sponsored since 2003 a project to reconstruct these historical sites.



The King, who was briefed by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Alia Hattough-Bouran on the archaeological sites and the projects in the area, toured the Abbasid site and directed authorities to proceed with the plan.



King Abdullah told officials to come up with other income generating projects for the districts, where 36 per cent of residents live under the poverty line and is considered one of the poorest areas in Jordan, according to official surveys.



His Majesty met with Humaimeh's tribal leaders and residents and urged them to suggest ideas for other projects that would generate funds and consequently improve their living standards.



Omar Rafiei, in charge of the Planning Ministry's productivity programme, told reporters that the government seeks to tackle poverty pockets in the country and invest in them to eventually improve living standards there. During his visit to Humaimeh, King Abdullah told authorities to build housing units for poor families there. He visited two of these families, who live in tents, with almost no furniture and daily life needs.



King Abdullah promised Manfiyyeh Abu Juaibeh, a widow with almost no source of income or medical insurance, to visit her in her future house.



Another widow, Thurayya Abu Zeitun, will also get a new house. She lives on JD40 a month, which is the pension allowance of her late husband. Both women also received immediate financial assistance, along with scores of Humaimeh families.