Technical Brief: Rainwater harvesting units in Jordan: Assessment of effects

Water scarcity remains a significant challenge in Jordan, particularly for smallholder farmers who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. To address this issue, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and with funding from the Kingdom of Norway, provided water harvesting support to farmers. Under the ILO project titled 'Job creation for Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities through green works in agriculture and forestry' (2016–19), rainwater harvesting units were constructed across eight governorates. The initiative aimed to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce irrigation costs, create short-term employment opportunities, and improve the socio-economic conditions of Syrian refugees and Jordanian host communities. This assessment evaluates the long-term effects of these interventions.

This joint assessment, conducted in collaboration with the EMPINVEST Branch, falls under the PROSPECTS Partnership established by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019. This partnership brings together five partner organizations – IFC, UNICEF, ILO, UNHCR and the World Bank – to tackle challenges impacting the livelihoods and well-being of Jordanians, refugees and other vulnerable groups in three key areas: education, employment, and protection. The findings from this assessment will guide the design of the Employment-Intensive Infrastructure interventions in the second phase of PROSPECTS.