Amman - The Reform Secretariat at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, in coordination with the World Bank, organized a visit by H.E. Mr. Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Jordan, and his accompanying delegation to the National Aid Fund on Monday, May 26, 2025, to showcase the progress of efforts to strengthen the social protection system in the Kingdom. This visit is part of ongoing efforts to showcase the results achieved through the support provided by the Jordan Growth Multi-Donor Trust Fund (Jordan Growth MDTF).

A brief on NAF’s digital transformation and expansion of services aimed at reaching Jordan’s most vulnerable populations was presented, along with the support provided through the Jordan Growth MDTF and its impact since 2019, support provided through the Jordan Growth MDTF, backed by contributions from the Netherlands, United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Canada, Germany, and Norway, has been instrumental in enhancing NAF’s operational systems, targeting mechanisms, and outreach capacity. The NAF now provides monthly cash support to more than 235,000 households, up from 97,000 in 2018, and is widely considered as the largest and most effective cash transfer program in the MENA region.

Jordan’s cash transfer is internationally recognized for its advanced digital tools, including an eligibility algorithm linked to the National Unified Registry, and for its role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly among women. The program has also been credited with reducing poverty and inequality, and its success was recently highlighted in the World Bank’s MENA Social Protection Report.

"The Netherlands has been a long-standing and committed partner in supporting Jordan’s social development—both through the MDTF and our Prospects partnership. We are proud to contribute to the expansion and modernization of the National Aid Fund, helping to strengthen social protection systems and improve the lives of vulnerable communities across the Kingdom," said H.E. Mr. Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Jordan.

The Director General of the National Aid Fund, Khitam Al-Shinikat, remarked during the visit: "We are proud of the progress made in providing effective social assistance to the most vulnerable households through a robust targeting system capable of distinguishing households based on the severity of poverty and reliable administrative data. The continuous support from our partners has allowed us to expand and improve our services, introduce technology, and digital transformation in ways that respond to people's needs and enhance performance efficiency." 

The delegation also toured NAF’s electronic maps department, call center and engaged directly with beneficiaries who shared how the program helped them maintain financial stability and access services during difficult times, including the COVID-19 crisis.

The visit reflects a strong partnership between the Government of Jordan and the international community to ensure that social protection reforms continue to deliver measurable results for those who need them most.

The Jordan Inclusive Growth and Economic Opportunities Multi-Donor Trust Fund was established in 2019 by the World Bank and is co-chaired by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. It aims to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the Government of Jordan to support the implementation of structural reforms under the Economic Reform Matrix and accelerate their impact.

The visit complements last year’s mission to explore reform impact across sectors. Read more about the 2024 field visits here.

Read more about the provided support here. 

📷 Access photos: NAF Field Visit | Flickr