Jordan's humanitarian and development sector is on the brink of a new crisis. The abrupt suspension of U.S. foreign aid has triggered a wave of mass layoffs, stripping livelihoods from hundreds and threatening the survival of thousands more. Already, 576 individuals have been laid off, with national estimates projecting at least 3,200 job losses by the end of 2025.

The consequences extend far beyond job losses. Over 500,000 vulnerable individuals—including Jordanians, Syrian refugees, and other marginalized communities—are now at risk of losing access to essential services. 450,000 children face the collapse of their literacy and numeracy programs. 12,000 individuals with disabilities are left without vital services such as speech therapy and physiotherapy. 10,000 Syrians have already lost access to medical consultations, while 900 patients battling life-threatening Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have been cut off from critical treatment.

The economic ripple effect extends further beyond the immediate job losses and service disruptions. $8,759,457 in INGO funding is now frozen, affecting local businesses that provided training venues, IT services, printing, consulting, insurance, auditing, and other support functions. Families of terminated employees are struggling and facing financial instability, while essential humanitarian operations in Jordan are left in limbo.

Women-led organizations are particularly impacted, with critical programs for women and girls being disrupted. So far, 2,500 women and girls with open case management for gender-based violence, along with 1,000 more affected by similar initiatives, are now left without support due to the termination of two major projects.

The Jordan International Cooperation Forum (JICOF) recognizes and deeply appreciates the invaluable contributions of humanitarian and development professionals who have dedicated their careers to crisis response, poverty alleviation, and the advancement of Jordanian society. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in shaping Jordan’s development landscape. However, as they now face an uncertain future, we must take immediate and coordinated action to support them and safeguard their contributions to the country.

Immediate Steps Are Essential

This sudden shift has shaken Jordan’s aid sector, but it also presents an opportunity. A highly skilled, dedicated, and creative workforce is now available—one that should not be lost but rather integrated into Jordan’s economy. Now is the time for collective action to ensure that these professionals continue to contribute to Jordan’s development, whether through government institutions, the private sector, or alternative funding mechanisms.

JICOF calls for immediate, coordinated action to address the challenges facing Jordan’s humanitarian sector:

1. We urge the banking sector and government institutions to introduce temporary measures, such as freezing or reducing personal loan payments, to help affected individuals regain financial stability.
2. We call on the Ministry of Labor to establish a dedicated database to connect laid-off professionals with open positions in the labor market, offering career coaching and skills matching to facilitate their transition into the private sector. The private sector should actively integrate these highly skilled professionals, leveraging their expertise in project management, humanitarian response, and development initiatives.
3. We ask the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to seek alternative funding sources to resume critical projects left incomplete due to USAID funding cuts. The ministry should map and review all affected projects, prioritize their necessity, and mobilize regional and international partnerships to ensure their continuation.
4. We call for joint efforts by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), donors, the Ministry of Labor (MoLA) and civil society organizations to develop solutions to funding gaps, explore alternative sources of funding and coordinate actions that prioritize the protection of jobs and the continuation of critical humanitarian and development programs.
5. We urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor to engage with U.S. authorities to seek employment rights and potential compensation for staff terminated from USAID-funded projects.

JICOF stands in solidarity with all those affected and remains committed to advocating for sustainable solutions that protect Jordan’s development gains.

*The Jordan International Cooperation Forum (JICOF)

Founded in 2022 by the Jordan National NGO Forum (JONAF), the Jordan INGO Forum (JIF), Donor’s civil society working group chair (US and Netherland) in Jordan, JICOF is a one-of-a-kind platform that brings together members of local civil society, INGOs, international institutions, and the donor community. JICOF fosters knowledge-sharing, strategic coordination, and open dialogue to maximize the impact of collective efforts in supporting Jordan’s long-term stability and socioeconomic progress.