The World Bank has greenlighted a $250 million funding package to Jordan to boost the Kingdom’s water service efficiency.
Renowned as one of the world’s most water-deprived countries, Jordan stands to gain substantially from this initiative. The project aims to lower water wastage, reduce electrical power consumption, and enhance water governance protocols.
Approximately 1.6 million residents are predicted to reap the rewards of improved water facilities. Furthermore, this project will bolster water management for agricultural and industrial sectors, fueling economic growth while boosting the nation’s climate resilience.
The funding for the Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project is comprised of a $200 million loan procured from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), supplemented by a $50 million grant from the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF).
Established in 2016, the GCFF is dedicated to offering concessional financing to middle-income nations housing large refugee contingents. This project will prioritize regions with an elevated refugee presence, generating benefits for both refugee communities and their Jordanian hosts.
Faced with a critical water shortage that hampers its economic and societal progress, Jordan grapples with just 97 m3 of water available per individual each year. This measure drastically undercuts the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 m3 per person on an annual basis, highlighting the urgent need for such initiatives.
