Since the onset of the Syrian crisis, Jordan has shouldered the impact of a massive Syrian refugee influx across its borders. Today, those refugees account for nearly 10 percent of the kingdom’s population, placing substantial pressure on its over-stretched resources at one of the most difficult economic periods in its history.
The agricultural sector, a source of income for more than 15 percent of the population, continues to grapple with the challenges of scarce water supply, recurrent drought, urbanization and desertification, consequently producing no more than 8 to 10 percent of cereal requirements. Over 90 percent of cereal needs are imported, with Jordan amongst the countries most affected by international food price rises.
In 2014, WFP plans to assist some 160,000 food insecure and vulnerable Jordanians who have been worst affected by the protracted economic crisis aggravated by the Syrian conflict. In addition WFP will assist 320,000 school children under the national school feeding project.
In addition to its food assistance schemes, this year WFP launched a cash-for-training programme in Jordan in a bid to support the government in reducing unemployment.