Insufficient access and availability of quality water and high poverty levels in Jordan are inextricably linked, found a rapid water assessment commissioned by World Vision in six of the kingdom's governorates in May 2009.

Programmes addressing water scarcity and increasing its availability at the household and community level can assist in poverty alleviation, the assessment by the Interdisciplinary Research Consultants (IdRC) of Jordan revealed.

Ranked among the 10 most water deficient countries in the world, scarce water resources and other natural resources have been contributing factors to debt, poverty, and unemployment in Jordan, according to the assessment. It also cited that poverty amongst children is higher than poverty amongst the overall population, according to the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (April 2007).

Projected increased water shortages, unless addressed through serious water management measures, compounded by a fast growing population with a history of hosting displaced populations, not only threaten the country's economic and political stability, but also make the recurrence of conflict over water, almost inevitable.

'By gaining information regarding access to water and water consumption practices in these six main governorates, where the majority of the population resides, World Vision is able to design and implement relevant water programmes that will directly impact poverty – particularly targeting those most in need', said Siobhan Kimmerle, Programme Director for World Vision in Jordan.

'Experience shows us that there is a significant correlation between water access/availability in rural areas and other important aspects such as health, food security, local economy, and education', Kimmerle added.

A number of representatives from two communities in each governorate were selected through Community-Based Organisations to participate in focus group discussions conducted in each of the 12 communities as part of the World Vision study.

Among the findings, a limited number of water supply hours (as low as two hours per week) impact households, business and services, daily shares of water sold are more than 50% lower than the World Health Organisation recommendations*, there is no balance between water supplied and population and living conditions are worsened by lower than standard daily water supply quantities per capita.

While existing water programmes are providing significant assistance to improve water demand management, revealed the study, there is opportunity and demand for synergies and additional interventions – specifically working with rural communities to increase water availability at the community level and working with rural dwellings to increase water availability at the household level – both in ways that improve livelihood opportunities for the most vulnerable.

Recommendations for possible World Vision projects to increase current water supply on the community level include rehabilitating springs, Roman wells and reservoirs and using community reservoirs for rainwater harvesting. On the household level interventions could focus on construction of rainwater harvesting cisterns, construction of water recycling systems and modifying household water fixtures, like guttering and other water saving devices.

The proposed interventions will focus on utilizing the available water for improving food security and household livelihood security through initiatives such as low external input sustainable agriculture for rural and peri-urban communities and potentially, vertical farming for the poor urban households.

'World Vision Jordan would like to work hand-in-hand with communities on these water projects to help them maximize the use of the additional water supply – not just for the benefit of families today but for future generations', concluded Kimmerle.

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Further information:

*Daily shares of water sold : 61 to102 l/c-d (WHO minimum recommended = 273 l/c-d)

A study conducted by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (April 2007) revealed:

• Nearly 14% of the population suffers from an extreme lack of the basic necessities
  
• Number of poverty pockets has increased from 20 to 42 pockets
  
• An estimated 880,000 live below the poverty line (defined as a monthly income of JOD 26 per person, equivalent to US$37 or $1.22US/day.
  
• Poverty levels of 80% have been reported in certain areas of the Kingdom
  
• Poverty amongst children is higher than poverty amongst the overall population
  
• The proportion of families with a monthly income less than JOD 15 reaches 70% in some of the Kingdom's poverty pockets