Deema Abu Thiab: Nature-based solutions help Jordan combat water shortages

Nature-based solutions are helping Jordan address water shortages and climate risks, UN-Habitat Jordan Program Coordinator Deema Abu Thiab said during the event "Nature-Based Solutions for Resilient Arab Cities: From Local Action to Urban Transformation," Report informs.

According to her, Jordan is among the countries with the most severe water shortages in the world and has the second-highest level of water stress.

"The country's groundwater resources are depleting at a rate three times higher than national and international standards, and water losses in the system amount to approximately 48%," she noted.

Abu Thiab emphasized that the more than 450,000 registered refugees in the country are placing additional strain on infrastructure, increasing pressure on water supplies and basic services.

She also noted the floods in Amman, which damaged archaeological sites, among other things.

"UN-Habitat Jordan recognizes that cities are not only a hotbed of problems, but also a platform for developing, testing, and scaling up solutions," she said.

According to Abu Thiab, nature-based approaches are being used in Jordan to mitigate flooding, manage urban water resources, and combat the urban heat island effect, which causes summer temperatures in Amman to reach 40 degrees Celsius.