Jordan is among the most water-scarce countries in the world. Its renewable water resources are extremely limited — internal renewable resources are of the order of 680 million m³ a year — and per-capita availability has fallen far below the absolute-scarcity threshold under the combined pressure of rapid population growth and the hosting of large refugee and displaced populations. Groundwater is the country's strategic reserve and its greatest concern: of twelve major groundwater basins, around half are pumped beyond their safe yield, and parts of the country draw on non-renewable fossil aquifers. Agriculture accounts for the majority of water use, making improved water productivity and allocation critical to Jordan's water and food security. Reuse of treated wastewater has become an essential pillar of the national water strategy, supplying a significant and growing share of irrigation water.

Under the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative (WSI) programme, FAO works with the Government of Jordan and national partners across the Programme's three strategic outcomes: strengthening agricultural water governance, building the resilience of food systems and water services, and advancing knowledge, innovation and regional cooperation.