Jordan Expert Calls for Winter Vulnerability Index

Jordanian energy expert Hossam Aayesh has called for the creation of a Winter Vulnerability Index to address the disproportionate impact of heating costs on low-income households. Aayesh, speaking on the seventh episode of the program 'Ro'ya' on Saturday, highlighted the significant disparity in Jordanian households' ability to secure heating, which is linked to income levels and unequal distribution within society.

He described the additional expenditure on heating as a form of 'regressive tax' that disproportionately burdens low-income families, especially during winter when other essential costs such as healthcare, education, and utility bills rise. Aayesh proposed that the index should consider factors such as average income, number of children, elderly family members, and the severity of the local climate to direct immediate support to families forced to choose between buying food or securing fuel.

He emphasized that denying any individual their right to energy security represents a moral and humanitarian failure that cannot be accepted in Jordanian society. Aayesh noted that many families resort to simple measures like adding blankets and wearing more clothes as the only means to combat the cold due to their inability to afford basic heating solutions. The expert also pointed out that most Jordanian homes lack adequate insulation, exacerbating the issue.