Jordan: Water to Smooth Relations Between Locals and Refugees

In Irbid, in northern Jordan, access to drinking water can be a challenge. It is generally distributed there only one day a week, and in summer only every two to three weeks. So a tank in which to store the precious wet is almost a matter of survival there.

The French development agency AFD, the European Union and the German development bank KfW are working together to improve access to drinking water for the local population in the regions or Irbid and Ramtha. Locals in the region have to share this already scarce resource with the many Syrian refugees hosted in the country. The aim of the European donors' cooperation is also to avoid any tensions that may arise from the water supply situation.

The long-term goal is to increase the average water consumption from 50 liters per person per day to 98 liters. This will be accompanied by the creation of new jobs in the region, which is characterized by high unemployment. 

By reducing water leaks in the network and installing turbines on the water transport infrastructure to generate electricity, it is hoped to initiate an ecological change in the country.

Learn more about the joint initiative here.