Jordan: EU increases financial support to Jordan during crisis to solve water scarcity

The European Commission announced in November a substantial EU support package for Jordan worth 902 million euros. The announcement was made during a visit by King Abdullah II in Brussels. According to the Commission’s press statement, his discussions with European Commission President von der Leyen focused on recent developments and the need to avoid a negative spill-over in the region, where Jordan plays a key stabilising role. The support package consists of 402 million euros in grants and 500 million euros in loans by the European Investment Bank. It includes185 million euros package focused on among others improving education and technical training for the youth and two new initiatives worth 110 million euros in total to promote the private sector development and education.Investments in Jordan to address the existing water shortage is also part of the package. The EU has just signed with the European Investment Bank (EIB) a first 50 million euros grant contribution to the vital Aqaba Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance project and adopted an additional 47 million euros EU contribution for the project, complementing previous financing. The project will provide 300 million cubic meters of drinking water every year to Jordan once operational in 2027. The EU also continues to support Syrian refugees in Jordan. In response to the Syrian crisis, the EU has provided over €2.2 billion in humanitarian and non-humanitarian assistance to Jordan.