Jordan

Background

Jordan is a small Middle Eastern country with a population of 5.7 million people and few natural resources. In contrast to many of its neighbors, Jordan has no oil, and its economy depends largely on tourism, services, and foreign assistance, of which the United States is the primary provider. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy whose ruler, King Abdullah, has focused on implementing long-term economic reforms since ascending the throne in 1999. Importantly, the country is at peace with all of its neighbors, and has maintained a treaty with Israel since 1994—the only Arab nation to have done so.

Its northeastern border with Iraq, however, has been crossed by as many as one million Iraqis who have fled to safety since the beginning of the conflict in March 2003. While Jordan has one of the best health care systems in the region, the needs of these people have stretched current resources to the limit. They suffer not only from insufficient health care, but from unemployment, substandard living conditions, lack of food and water, a dearth of educational opportunities, and many other problems. Children are the most affected and neglected segment of the community. The needs of this burgeoning population far outweigh current assistance capabilities.

What International Medical Corps Is Doing

International Medical Corps (IMC) is now establishing operations in Jordan to help address this growing crisis. As one of the few international aid agencies working both inside Iraq and in the neighboring host countries of Lebanon, Syria, and now Jordan, IMC has seen firsthand the importance of developing a regional and holistic approach to address the needs not only of Iraqis fleeing violence, but the communities that take them in, as well. If stability is to be maintained, assistance programs must take the needs of both populations into account.

As part of this approach and as a complement to current programs in Lebanon and Syria, IMC has secured funding from the U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to improve the quality of and access to primary health care for the displaced Iraqi population living in Jordan and host community members in Jabal Al Naser, Ashrafiye, and either Marka or Suewlah districts. IMC will establish two primary health clinics and one dental clinic; provide them with equipment, supplies, and staff; promote antenatal and postnatal care for expectant mothers; design and deliver a training course in basic health care, hygiene, and primary health care for first-time parents; and improve case management of common childhood diseases. The project will serve more than 55,000 Iraqis and vulnerable individuals in these communities, with a special focus on women and children.

International Medical Corps is uniquely qualified to carry out this work in Jordan. IMC already has a substantial regional presence in the Middle East and is familiar with the security challenges, environment, and parties to the conflict. By tackling some of the problems that foster instability and partnering with two local organizations, the Jordan Red Crescent and the Jordan River Foundation, to ensure the sustainability of programming and the long-term health of these communities, IMC will help to create enabling conditions for peace and positive social change.