The King Talal Dam is a vital source of water for irrigation to farmlands surrounding the Zarqa River in Jordan. After decades of use, the dam’s storage capacity and structural integrity began to deteriorate.
The Protection of King Talal Dam (PROTEKT) program, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with Blumont, is working to prevent sedimentation, erosion, and flooding while providing livelihood opportunities for vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees.
Through cash-for-work opportunities, more than 530 Jordanians and Syrians played a major role in construction, agriculture, and community awareness efforts. These jobs helped participants cover the costs of their basic needs while building marketable leadership and technical skills that can open new employment opportunities for them in the future. Women are engaged at every level of the project, making up 20% of the cash-for-work participants.
“The income I gained through the project helped me to enroll my children in school tutoring sessions, pay our water and electricity bills, and cover other costs of living,” said Ahmad, one of the cash-for-work participants.
Rehabilitation work is continuing and expanding to nearby water structures.
