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Jordan 
EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT
- USAID-supported health counselors reached 1.13 million women in their homes with health information and family planning referrals.
- USAID helped reduce capital requirements for new business licenses, resulting in 2,000 newly registered companies and 6,200 jobs.
- U.S. assistance in the tourism sector has contributed to a 66 percent increase in tourism receipts and a 35 percent increase in direct employment since 2005.
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Beth Paige
USAID, c/o American Embassy
P.O. Box 354
Amman 11118, Jordan
Tel: 962-6-590-6000
Acting Desk Officer
Judd Kennedy
Tel: (202) 712-0533
E-mail: jkennedy@usaid.gov
In a country where 70 percent of the population is under the age of 30 and the total population is expected to more than double by 2040, USAID is providing quality learning environments through the construction of 28 new schools, renovation of 100 schools, and teacher/ administrator training. (Photo: USAID) 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. Focus areas include democracy and governance, water, family planning and health, education, economic growth, energy, and environment. In addition, recognizing that youth unemployment and urban poverty are increasingly urgent problems in Jordan, USAID is in the process of launching major new cross-cutting youth and poverty alleviation initiatives.
Programs
Democracy and Governance
USAID's programs focus on increasing judicial independence and accountability, expanding civic participation, improving governance, and promoting human rights. Programs also fuel a demand for democratic reform by promoting independent media, representative political parties, free and fair elections, and an engaged civil society. USAID's successes include 100 percent automation of Jordan’s civil courts and the creation of the disability rights coalition "TAKAFO," which resulted in persons with disabilities being able to vote at polling stations in the recent parliamentary elections.
Investing in People: Water
Demand for water exceeds Jordan's available renewable freshwater resources. USAID's programs emphasize improved management of available water resources through community empowerment, institutional reform, demand management, improved pricing, integrated water resources management, and water and wastewater infrastructure. In 2011, an estimated 1.75 million people will benefit directly from improved drinking water supply services funded by USAID.
Investing in People: Social Services
To help Jordan achieve sustainable improvements in the well-being and productivity of its population, USAID is investing in education, health, youth, and family-centered social services. USAID's health program is centered on improving family planning and maternal and child health services. Over the last three years, USAID upgraded the obstetrics and neonatal departments at 11 public hospitals, provided state-of-the-art medical equipment and furniture to 30 public hospitals, and supported home-based counseling. Education and youth activities aim to strengthen the formal education system, provide youth with life skills training, and facilitate work opportunities for disadvantaged youth. As a result of USAID efforts, youth now graduate with an education that is better linked to the demands of the economy. Poverty alleviation activities seek to improve social services and engage community and religious leaders and families in addressing social issues such as domestic violence.
Economic Growth
USAID aims to spur economic growth and ensure that its benefits reach all Jordanians through workforce development, job creation, and regulatory/fiscal policy reforms. USAID has been successful at the macroeconomic level by assisting the Government of Jordan to accede to the World Trade Organization and by establishing the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, and at the micro level with the creation of a microfinance industry that has disbursed loans totaling more than $302 million.
To help create the more than 112,000 jobs that are required annually to absorb new entrants into the labor force, USAID is building on the above successes by promoting private sector competitiveness in the sectors of Jordan's economy that are best positioned to grow. This includes improving the business enabling environment, developing the workforce, and growing businesses, especially in the tourism, information and communication technology, and biotechnology fields.
As part of its poverty alleviation efforts, USAID also supports the establishment and growth of small and medium enterprises. Through targeted activities, USAID is building the capacity of the energy sector and promoting energy efficiency as a complement to its economic growth program. At the macroeconomic level, USAID is providing technical assistance to improve tax administration and improve efficiencies through results based budgeting and a more effective financial management information system.
Cash Transfer
USAID complements the above with an annual cash transfer to help Jordan pay down its external, nonmilitary debt to the United States and eligible multilateral institutions. Reform benchmarks are linked to the cash transfer program that help both the Government of Jordan and USAID advance change across development sectors. The Government of Jordan provides local currency in an amount equivalent to the cash transfer for development priorities jointly identified by USAID and the Government of Jordan.
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