Jordan is getting much-needed funds for its water crisis: The World Bank has approved USD 250 mn in financing to help address Jordan’s water crisis, according to a statement. The approved financing comes under the kingdom’s new Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project, which aims to enhance the efficiency of water services through the rehabilitation of water distribution networks.

The details: The financing consists of a USD 200 mn loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and a USD 50 mn grant from the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF). The GCFF was launched in 2016 to provide concessional financing to middle income countries hosting large populations of refugees. The project is set to save c.10 mn cubic meters (cbm) of water and help reduce electricity use, setting up a robust drought management system to enhance water management practices, the statement notes.

And the kingdom is in need: Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries globally, with only 97 cbm of available water per capita annually, according to the World Bank.This is below the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cbm per capita per year. A surging population growth and climate change is set to further strain water resources availability by 30% by 2040.

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