Floods and heatwaves are on the rise in Jordan

Being one of the world's most water-scarce countries, Jordan is facing amplified consequences from climate change that has increased vulnerability to heatwaves and flash flooding. The country's capacity to meet its development goals is threatened by these effects, which will also have a big influence on Jordan's water supplies, agriculture, and general economic stability. Climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) work together to address underlying vulnerabilities and increase resilience to these threats.

Recognizing the need for stronger, evidence based and inclusive policies and strategies, an in-depth policy analysis of Jordan’s CCA and DRR frameworks. The policy analysis encompasses a detailed review of Jordan’s national legislation and strategies and insights gathered through a national assessment. The assessment included a survey with more than 1000 respondents across the Kingdom, interviews with key informants ranging from government institutions, technical experts, civil society and community members, and focus group discussions. Nearly 50% of respondents viewed flood risk as severe or very severe, and over 70% viewed heatwaves as severe or very severe. The main objective was to assess the strength and coherence of existing policies, identify gaps, and develop applicable recommendations that prioritize communities in climate and disaster governance.

Where we stand: strengths, gaps, and opportunities

While Jordan has taken important steps in acknowledging the escalating risks posed by climate change, particularly flash floods and heatwaves, the analysis revealed that the current policy framework remains fragmented and lacks the integration needed to address these hazards holistically. National strategies for CCA and DRR often operate in isolation, with limited coordination or shared priorities. Local-level planning remains underdeveloped, with municipalities lacking the tools and resources to lead on climate action. Although there is strong political will and growing technical capacity, these assets have yet to be fully mobilized through a coherent system that connects data, decision-making, and delivery.

The analysis also pointed to monitoring systems that are not yet fully equipped to track climate risks or policy progress, while coordination across sectors and institutions remains limited. Access to and tracking of adaptation finance, particularly at the local level, is also limited, despite clear national priorities and emerging opportunities for engagement with the private sector. While recent reforms and platforms offer potential, they are not yet leveraged to their full extent.

The policy analysis highlights five key areas for action: increasing focus on floods and heatwaves in CCA and DRR frameworks; strengthening policy and legislation; translating national policy into local action; strengthening governance and coordination; developing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems; and optimizing climate finance. Together, these actions aim to move Jordan from strong strategies on paper to real, sustained resilience on the ground.

Mercy Corps’ tools for action

To support policymakers and development actors in responding to these challenges, Mercy Corps has published three core knowledge products:

1. A Policy Brief that offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen climate adaptation and disaster resilience in Jordan.
2. An Evidence Paper that presents the full scope of the research and analysis to substantiate all of the findings highlighted in the brief.
3. An Annex that covers all of Jordan’s CCA and DRR legislations and policies.

The resources aim to inform national and local decision making, providing actionable guidance for government entities, international agencies, donors, and NGOs working to enhance resilience across the Kingdom.

A shared commitment to resilience

This work is part of Mercy Corps’ broader engagement within the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance; a global partnership focused on advancing evidence-based solutions to reduce disaster risk and build long-term resilience. The collaboration with the London School of Economics – a fellow Alliance member - further reflects a shared commitment to connecting academic insight with practical, community-level impact.

Through continued collaboration and informed action, we can create lasting resilience that empowers Jordan’s communities to thrive in the face of climate challenges.