CARE began work in Jordan in 1948 to meet the needs of Palestinian refugees displaced with the creation of Israel. Currently, economic participation of women remains lower here than in other countries in the region despite comparatively higher educational attainment. Traditional values that restrict women’s rights are compounded by discrimination in the workplace. Jordan also has one of the lowest levels of water resource availability per capita in the world.
As the population doubles over the next two decades, water scarcity will become an even greater problem and will challenge farmers to improve food security through environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.
Jordan has been host to an estimated 450,000 refugees fleeing violence and insecurity in Iraq and 580,000 refugees to date from the Syria conflict. We are working to meet the needs of poor farmers, women, and these refugees, all affected by conflict, economic disparity, discrimination or a fragile resource base.