Germany provides €25m to support Jordan's water sector, Syria refugees

Germany will provide an additional 25 million euros to Jordan, 15 million of which will be used to support the Kingdom's water sector, while the rest will come through UNICEF to help Jordan address the increasing number of Syrian refugees. The announcement was made by the German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Gerd Muller, during a meeting with Jordan's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ibrahim Saif. During the meeting, the two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation and means to further boost it in the economic and development field, according to Jordan News Agency (Petra). The planning minister briefed his German counterpart on the economic and financial situation in Jordan, the challenges being faced by Jordan due to regional developments as well the efforts to implement political and economic reforms. The minister also thanked the German government for its humanitarian support to the Syrian refugees in the region, pointing to the economic challenges facing Jordan as a result of the current situation in the region. He also spoke about the national plan to empower communities hosting Syrian refugees. The German minister emphasized the strong economic ties between Jordan and Germany and thanked Jordan for its efforts to host Syrian refugees. Germany is one of the biggest financial supporters backing the Kingdom as it provides grants, technical aid and loans. According to the 2012-2014 development program, Germany pledged to provide 88.6 million euros to support Jordan's water and energy sectors. It also provided additional aid to Jordan in 2013, worth 74.5 million euros.