CARE in Jordan
Our Jordan office opened in 1948 to respond to the needs of Palestinian refugees who lost their land with the creation of Israel.
In Jordan we:
- support small businesses, for example by giving them cheap loans
- improves access to clean water and sanitation services
- improve agriculture, for example by teaching farmers new farming techniques
Building on our success supporting refugees, setting up strong local organisations, and helping rural people develop sustainable ways of earning a living, we are now establishing region-wide programmes across Syria and Lebanon to address the poverty caused by conflict, inequality and scarce natural resources, particularly water.
After years of war and conflict in Palestine and more recently, in Iraq, more than one million Palestinian refugees, and around half a million new Iraqi refugees, live in Jordan.
CARE in action:
Refugees
Many of those seeking safety in Jordan from Iraq are particularly poor and vulnerable: they are denied residence or the right to work, and their access to services, like education and health care, is disrupted. They also face growing prejudice from the local population who blame them for social problems, price hikes and crime.
The exact numbers of those fleeing Iraq to Jordan is not known, but estimates put the figure at around half a million. As a result, essential services – from schools, to health centres, hospitals and water supplies – are under extreme pressure. Prices are being pushed out of reach for many people, which means poverty is on the increase for refugees and Jordanians alike.
Our Self Help for Refugees and Asylum-seekers programme assists refugees through counselling care and education fees. We also help families find housing, give people practical training to help them support themselves and prepare for a new life in a new country.
Earning a decent living
Social customs limiting women’s freedom to work and make decisions within their homes and communities mean they are disproportionately affected by poverty. Large family sizes mean women spend a lot of their time looking after their children with less opportunity to participate in outside activities.
We have established savings and loans schemes, so the women can pool their resources to start businesses and buy essential goods, like food. For example, a group of women set up three groups to provide an important forum for women to take action for change in their communities. Many of these were very practical - such as changing a bus route, cleaning up a waste water pit, or getting rid of rates – and benefited men and children, as well as giving the women new status in their communities.
What we do
