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Jordan boosts water infrastructure with $56.4 million in new agreements with USAID and German Development Bank
The agreements will aim to improve water resources, reduce water losses, and conserve water for drinking and agricultural purposes.
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Jordan has signed two agreements with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance the country’s water infrastructure. The first agreement, valued at $35 million, aims to reduce water losses and improve supply, with an additional $10.5 million contribution from the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna).
Meanwhile, the second agreement, valued at $10.9 million, focuses on restoring 13 kilometers of the King Abdullah Canal. This project is part of a broader initiative to reduce water losses and is supported by an additional $4.4 million from the German government through the German Development Bank (KfW). Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abul Saud, who attended the signing ceremony, emphasized the critical need to enhance water resources, minimize water losses, and conserve water for drinking and agriculture.
This aligns with the ministry’s plans to enhance the water system, particularly in the Jordan Valley, and to reduce water losses nationwide to below 25%. Saud highlighted that the support from USAID and KfW is crucial for tackling the kingdom’s water challenges, as it provides both technical and technological assistance to improve system performance and minimize water losses.
Moreover, Laura Gonzalez, Director of the Water and Environment Office at USAID, emphasized the agency’s commitment to delivering technical and technological support, enhancing the performance of water sector companies, and upgrading water infrastructure.
Upon completion, the project is expected to generate 3.34 million cubic meters of water annually, which will help boost water supplies in key governorates served by the canal, including Amman, Irbid, and Balqa.
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