JOHUD, originally called the “Queen Alia Fund for Social Welfare Fund (QAF)”, was established in 1977, when His Late Majesty King Hussein Bin Talal issued a Royal Decree for the creation of a Fund to improve the lives of the poorest Jordanians. H.M. King Hussein entrusted leadership of QAF to his only sister, H.R.H, Princess Basma Bint Talal, who remains Chairperson to this day. In 1985, under Law No.37, the Fund became a recognised non-profit independent legal entity.

45 years later, JOHUD is known as a pioneer in sustainable human development at the national, regional and international levels. From its establishment, and throughout the 1990’s, QAF established a pioneering network of Community Development Centres (CDCs) across the country, with the involvement of large numbers of local community partners and leaders, particularly women.

JOHUD’s groundbreaking approach to community involvement, social activism and women’s participation puts it at the forefront of people-centered development in Jordan and the Arab region.