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Jordan
EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT
- USAID built water and sanitation infrastructure that improved access to drinking water and sanitation for 80 percent of the population.
- USAID helped create 20,000 jobs, including in Jordan’s growing information technology sector.
- USAID renovated and equipped 80 percent of Jordan’s health centers.
USAID/JORDAN SITE
jordan.usaid.gov
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Jay Knott
USAID, c/o American Embassy
P.O. Box 354
Amman 11118, Jordan
Tel: 962-6-590-6000
Desk Officer
Margaret Dula
Tel: (202) 712-1533
Email: mdula@usaid.gov
USAID is raising awareness among Jordanians about water and energy conservation. USAID is also supporting the Jordanian government’s efforts to enhance the management of water – a limited resource essential for economic growth. (Photo: Mercy Corps)
Overview
The United States and Jordan have been partners in Jordan’s development for nearly 60 years. The United States is committed to helping Jordan meet its goal of economic prosperity for all citizens. Jordan's comparative advantage rests with its young, well-educated population, world-class tourist attractions, and commitment to political and economic reform. Since the U.S.- Jordan development partnership began in 1952, USAID has devoted more than $6 billion toward Jordan’s future. Today, USAID focuses on water resources, economic growth, health care, education and youth, and good governance.
Programs
Economic Growth
Rapid population growth places enormous burdens on Jordan, where jobs are not created fast enough to absorb a growing workforce. Regional events also have had a negative impact on the economy. Jordan embarked on economic reforms with broad public and private sector support, leading to overall economic growth over the past several years. Reforms have included improvements to commercial laws, development of financial and capital markets, support for small- and medium-sized businesses, and strengthening of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. Despite these improvements, however, poverty and unemployment remain great challenges for Jordan.
Jordan, a World Trade Organization member, has signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. USAID works with the government and businesses to improve their efficiency, increase trade and investment, and create more jobs and higher incomes. Programs are designed to promote entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, improve productivity, and help companies take advantage of the FTA and increase exports. Initiatives also aim at improving tax administration and the public expenditure system, increasing financial services to small- and medium-sized enterprises, and streamlining business licensing and registration. USAID is also embarking on a new initiative to help advance energy efficiency and regulatory reform.
Investing In People
Jordan’s social reform efforts are focused on addressing challenges related to population growth, health care, educating students for the workplace, youth unemployment, poverty, and lack of water. USAID is supporting Jordan in all of these areas. Improving and expanding access to high-quality family planning and health services at all of Jordan’s public hospitals and health centers is benefiting the poor – especially women and youth. USAID supports programs to renovate and equip 22 hospitals and 10 training centers, train 4,000 health professionals, institutionalize quality-control standards, and reach over 1 million women with counseling on reproductive and women’s health.
Education programs focus on building 33 schools and renovating and expanding 120 more, training 30,000 teachers, and providing 30,000 students annually with the skills (especially in information technology) necessary to succeed in today’s job market. New youth and poverty alleviation programs will increase availability of services and financial resources for youth and other vulnerable populations.
Efforts to increase water availability, promote good sanitation, encourage reuse of wastewater in industry and agriculture, and improve water-use efficiency are enhancing the quality of life for 80 percent of Jordanians.
Governing Justly And Democratically
Political reforms play a big part in Jordan’s efforts to become a player in the global economy, and USAID is supporting these efforts. USAID is increasing transparency and accountability by automating Jordan’s 74 civil courts and equipping 150 parliamentarians to better review and approve legislation. USAID also works to enhance the professionalism of 20 media outlets by improving their independence and reporting capabilities. Increasing civic participation in the democratic process is also a key element in USAID’s initiatives; through efforts to empower 100 civil society organizations and women, USAID programs complement Millennium Challenge Corporation efforts to contribute to the creation of vibrant local governments. USAID programs encourage political parties to be more responsive to citizen needs and to implement national platforms. USAID also works with government institutions to better plan and provide services.
Cash Transfer
Under USAID’s cash transfer to Jordan, amounting to nearly 45 percent of the country’s annual budget, USAID provides dollars to help Jordan pay down its external, non-military debt. In return, the Government of Jordan implements policy reforms and provides an equal amount of money in Jordanian dinars programmed jointly with USAID to advance Jordan’s development agenda.
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