Emergency Supplemental Assistance to Jordan

U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Jordanian Minister of Planning Dr. Bassam Awadallah signed today, Tuesday, May 13, documents that transfer $700 million in supplemental assistance from the United States to Jordan.

Following a request by President Bush, the Congress appropriated $700 million in emergency assistance to Jordan for Fiscal Year 2003. This assistance is in addition to the $250 million in bilateral economic assistance already appropriated for Jordan in FY 2003. The purpose of the additional funds is to help Jordan offset the economic dislocation it faces due to the conflict in Iraq.

The war in Iraq resulted in revenue shortfalls and needs for new expenditures by the Government of Jordan. The U.S. assistance will allow the Government of Jordan to continue to deliver basic services to the citizens of Jordan -- such as education and healthcare -- without interruption, in particular to those most in need.

The $250 million appropriated in bilateral economic assistance for FY 2003 is being programmed under the auspices of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) into development activities, primarily in the economic growth, water and health sectors. Measured on a per capita basis, the U.S. assistance program in Jordan is among the largest such programs in the world.

The substantial amount of assistance being provided to Jordan is a testimony to the commitment by the United States to work with allies and friends in the Middle East to promote prosperity, economic growth, democracy and peace.