Jordan , a chronic food and water-deficit country has a per capita of US$ 2,345 and a population of 5.6 million.
Despite its lack of natural resources, limited economic base and geo-strategic vulnerability in the midst of recurring regional conflicts , Jordan has made slow economic progress since it launched an economic liberalisation policy in 1989. However, poverty continues to be a major concern with 14 percent of Jordan ’s population falling below the poverty line of 392 Jordanian dinars (US$553) per person per year .
Jordan is among the world’s five most water-deficit countries , even in the best of seasons, producing no more than 8-10 percent of its cereal requirements. The agricultural sector, which represents a source of income for more than 15 percent of the population, continues to grapple with challenges of scarce water, recurrent droughts, urbanisation and desertification.
The country’s economy is further stretched by the estimated 500,000 refugees from neighbouring Iraq.
WFP started its operations in Jordan in 1964 with the aim of reducing hunger and alleviating poverty.
The agency has just completed its extended development project in December 2007. The project, which began in 1997, has helped improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of food-insecure farmers and herders in the poorest governorates through food-for-work activities.
WFP continues to provide capacity-building help to the Jordanian Government, the National Centre for Agricultural Resource & Technology Transfer (NCARTT) and civil society groups such as the Jordanian National Alliance Against Hunger (JNAAH).
WFP is also monitoring the situation of Iraqi refugees in Jordan , in cooperation with UNHCR and other partners, for possible emergency assistance if needed and if resources and conditions allow.
Current WFP activities include:
Capacity Building: WFP Jordan is providing the Government with technical support in food security areas including the establishment of an early warning system on droughts and food and crop monitoring.
As part of this activity, WFP is providing equipment and training worth US$95,000 to the NCARTT to help it effectively monitor drought and food insecurity risks.
WFP also provides the JNAAH with capacity-strengthening support.
