Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan and U.S. Ambassador to Jordan Yael Lempert announced a major boost to the country’s resilience: an $845.1 million U.S. grant to improve education, healthcare, and water access. However, in January, millions in U.S. funding for Jordan’s largest water desalination project were briefly frozen after President Donald Trump ordered sweeping foreign aid cuts to review whether allocations aligned with his foreign policy.

Jordan secured an exemption, preserving funds for strategic projects in water infrastructure, energy, health, and education. This carve-out highlights Washington’s view of Jordan as a key partner for stability in a region under climate stress and hosting large refugee populations. The safeguarded funds will support ongoing water-loss reduction programs, large-scale desalination planning, and broader economic reforms.

Jordan’s Water and Irrigation Minister, Raed Abu Soud, has identified the kingdom as one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. Framing water security as a matter of national security, he outlined two key strategies to address the crisis. The first is the National Water Carrier Project, an ambitious initiative to transport 300 million m³ of desalinated water annually from Aqaba to Amman. The second focuses on reducing non-revenue water—losses from leaks, illegal connections, and outdated systems—by deploying advanced monitoring technologies, improving leak detection, and upgrading critical infrastructure.

 “A successful, large-scale water conservation campaign requires broad public understanding, buy-in, and action,” said Michael Jones, director of the Water Resources and Environment ex. office at USAID Jordan. 

A national survey found that 40% of Jordanians were unaware of the true severity of the country’s water crisis. To address this, a nationwide awareness campaign was launched in 2019 including three distinct phases: Teaser, Reveal & Information, and Call to Action. At its core was the slogan “Don’t underestimate the value of a drop”, sparked public curiosity and conversation. However, within days, the campaign reached an estimated 3.5 million people, around one-third of Jordan’s population, generated close to 60 million social media impressions, and motivated tangible behavior changes such as repairing household leaks and shortening shower times.

A US State Government project applies proven U.S. expertise in water conservation to Jordan’s urgent needs, sharing successful strategies that have shifted public behavior in the United States. By increasing awareness and encouraging water-saving habits among young Jordanians, it builds a generation of advocates who can promote conservation within their families and communities.

The U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section is offering funding for the “Make Every Drop Count: A Youth Water Conservation Project,” targeting Jordanians aged 16–25. The initiative will combine American expertise in youth engagement, resource management, and social media strategy with local partnerships to deliver creative, youth-led campaigns. Successful proposals will demonstrate a history of impactful youth-driven projects, strong networks in both Jordan and the United States, and alignment with existing conservation efforts.

Also, UNICEF is expanding efforts to engage young people as drivers of change. Through school-based Environment Clubs and community outreach, children and adolescents are learning hands-on water-saving technologies, proper hygiene practices, and advocacy skills. These programs not only equip students to lead conservation campaigns in their schools and neighborhoods but also help influence household water use. UNICEF’s approach combines education with action—turning awareness into practical solutions that can reduce wastage, improve sanitation, and build long-term water resilience in communities.