Project profile — Support to the National Aid Fund (NAF) in Jordan

This project supports Jordan’s National Aid Fund (NAF) efforts to meet the needs of poor and vulnerable families in Jordan. This project provides short-term assistance to families who are below the poverty line due to the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes long-term support to existing beneficiaries of NAF’s social assistance programs. Project activities include: (1) providing emergency cash assistance to vulnerable Jordanian households affected by the crisis; and (2) providing technical assistance to help build the NAF’s capacity to integrate gender equality considerations into their programs and strengthen monitoring and evaluation and other gender equality aspects. As with all pooled funded projects, Canada collaborates with other donors and the Government of Jordan to promote effective, transparent, and accountable country systems, increase donor coordination and harmonization and strengthen mutual accountability. This type of assistance fosters greater policy dialogue among donors, government, and partners, strengthening efforts for effective focussed aid, and long-term development results. This project is continuously monitored and evaluated in coordination with other donors.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened NAF COVID-19 preparedness and equitable response, especially for those experiencing marginalization and/or vulnerability; and (2) expanded social protection program coverage to mitigate the socio-economic effects of COVID-19 on 205,000 vulnerable households.

Results achieved as of January 2022 include: (1) reached 99,425 households (448,148 individuals) through the National Aid Fund. Of these, 14,133 are female-headed households and 85,292 are male-headed; and (2) transferred temporary emergency cash assistance transfers to targeted beneficiaries. These emergency transfers contributed to mitigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable workers and their families.