U.S. health investments in the Kingdom of Jordan are helping Jordan make the critical transition from donor recipient to development partner. But this transition isn’t always linear. While the health of Jordan’s population has improved significantly over the past few decades, witnessed by a 54% decline in maternal death and a 43% decrease in infant mortality since 1997, the effects of recent geopolitical events—most notably the Syrian crisis—and internal economic challenges have threatened these gains and the ability of the Government of Jordan to provide quality healthcare to all within its borders. It was within the context of this critical development challenge that I was invited to observe activities and to participate in events that represent how USAID programs have evolved to help Jordan address this challenge head on.

Today the United States and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing announced the award of 14 new contracts to 11 Jordanian firms to renovate, expand, and construct public schools in Jordan. These contracts, worth over $67 million, are part of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) commitment, in partnership with the Government of Jordan, to build 25 new schools, expand 120 schools, construct 300 kindergarten classrooms, and renovate 132 schools across Jordan to improve access to quality basic education.