Irbid

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Jordan).

The northern city of Irbid is Jordan’s second largest city and has a population of almost 600,000 inhabitants in its metropolitan area. Although in Jordan the rates of rural poverty continue to be higher than those for urban poverty, the highest concentration of people living in poverty are found in the country’s urban centres. This includes Irbid, where pockets of extreme poverty exist across the city. Children and young people growing up here need extra support.

Since 1999, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Irbid.

1 in 6
Women works outside the home

Women are disadvantaged

Many women are well educated but do not work outside the home. Women are still at a disadvantage when it comes to matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance, which are regulated by Sharia courts in Jordan. In some areas, cultural obstacles hinder women’s full integration into the labour market – only 14% of Jordanian women participate in the economic sector. Gender inequality limits women’s prospects and puts them at risk of early marriage and exploitation.

1 in 3
Refugees live in poverty

Children living in poverty

There are 3 million refugees living in Jordan. The difficult situation faced by many refugee families endangers family stability in Irbid. More than 31% of Palestinian refugees in Irbid have an income below the national poverty line, limiting the ability of parents to care for and protect their children. Often, children are separated from their families and placed in orphanages. They receive little to no education, and face the impact of poor treatment. These children are left without adequate skills and support for life outside of the institutions.

Your support makes a difference for children in Irbid

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
40
Children
Grow up in our care
50
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Children often do some school work at home in the afternoons and during weekends (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Jordan).

How your support helps in Irbid

Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.