About the Situation
By the Numbers
More than 6,508,000 people live in Jordan
14.2% of the people in Jordan live below the poverty line
13.4% of the population is unemployed
(Source: U.S. government)
Jordan’s population has doubled 12 times during the past 60 years, according to the United Nations. Large influxes of refugees from neighboring areas, including Palestine and Iraq, present significant challenges for Jordan, which already has very limited natural resources.
Waves of population growth has strained the country’s infrastructure, resources and basic services, and has affected the jobs opportunities available to Jordan’s 6.5 million people. Joblessness yields increasing levels of poverty, which has hit Jordan’s rural areas particularly hard.
In recent decades, Jordan has enjoyed improvements in the indicators the UN uses to measure human development—health, education and living standards—but the recent global economic slowdown has taken a toll on living conditions in Jordan.
How Islamic Relief is Helping
Islamic ReliefTM began working in Jordan in 1997, sponsoring orphans living in Palestinian refugee camps—an effort that continues some 15 years later. Most recent, Islamic Relief has focused on alleviating food insecurity for children across the country.
Here’s a breakdown of some programs Islamic Relief has supported in Jordan:
ORPHAN SUPPORT & SPONSORSHIP
On going
STUDENT FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM
On going
It is estimated that 4% of Jordanian families living in impoverished areas have to withdraw their children from school because of the additional financial strains imposed upon them because of increasing food prices places. Islamic Relief USA is supporting a Ministry of Health program providing food to schoolchildren across the country. The program strives to alleviate food insecurity and improve the nutritional status of children in Jordan.
RAMADAN FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Seasonal
UDHIYAH/QURBANI DISTRIBUTION
Seasonal
WINTERIZATION RELIEF DISTRIBUTION
Completed
Through the help of a local charity organization, Islamic Relief USA donors helped provide essential items for Jordanians in need to protect against the cold winter of 2013. Items included hygiene kits, blankets, boots and shoes.
