Amman (October 25) – U.S. and Jordanian officials signed four grant documents totaling $786.8 million at a ceremony in Amman on Sunday, October 23. In the presence of U.S. Ambassador Alice G. Wells and Prime Minister Hani Mulki, the grants were signed by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Jim Barnhart and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury at the Prime Ministry. The $786.8 million is in addition to the $25 million in grant funds obligated in August to support the economic growth projects under the World Bank.

The grants will support broad-based and inclusive economic development, enhance the Government’s ability to provide essential services, strengthen democratic institutions and accountability, and provide overall budget support. Specifically they include:

• $470 million in the form of a cash transfer to provide general budget support for non-military and non-security sectors;
• $128.5 million to expand sustainable management of water resources and to support the Red Sea-Dead Sea project;
• $70.3 million to accelerate economic development;
• $40 million to increase the quality of public education;
• $40 million to improve public and private health sector capacity;
• $35 million to support King Abdullah’s democratic reforms; and
• $3 million to support gender quality and female empowerment.

“The finalization of these agreements reflects the continued commitment of the American people to partner with the Jordanian people for our mutual prosperity and security, “ Ambassador Wells said.

In December 2014, President Obama and His Majesty King Abdullah II agreed upon $1 billion in yearly assistance to Jordan for three years. The documents signed today fall under the scope of that agreement. The U.S. assistance program to Jordan is among the largest in the world, totaling approximately $5.4 billion from 2005-2015.