Originally published on IWMI
The community of Wadi Al-Seer showcased resilient water solutions including canal restoration, spring rehabilitation, agroecology and climate-smart agriculture.
A delegation from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Jordan’s Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the British Embassy in Jordan recently had the opportunity to observe resilient nature-based water solutions in practice in Wadi Al-Seer, a neighbourhood west of Amman, as part of the Al Murunah project. One of the project’s pilot sites, Wadi Al-Seer has demonstrated significant progress in enhancing water resilience and sustainable agricultural practices.
During the visit, the delegation toured the Al Tarabeel Spring and its rehabilitated irrigation canal, a key milestone in the region’s water management efforts. The restoration work has optimized water distribution, reduced water loss, minimized pollution, and facilitated on-farm nature-based solution interventions.
Falah Mheirat, a local farmer and one of the oldest agricultural practitioners in the area, said, “This is the best rehabilitation of the canal since the 1970s. The quality of work is superb and has significantly reduced water waste.”
The upgraded canal system has also improved water quality by substantially reducing soil and sediment contamination.
The delegation also visited the Wadi Al-Seer Springs Agricultural Cooperative, established in September 2024. This Cooperative is playing a crucial role in strengthening community resilience, promoting equitable access to water resources, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.
Laila Shapsough, Chairperson of the Cooperative, said, “By providing capacity building, facilitating knowledge sharing and encouraging collective decision-making, the Cooperative empowers farmers to drive the long-term success of nature-based solution interventions.”
Through this initiative, Al Murunah is introducing agro-ecological approaches and climate-smart agriculture techniques that enhance productivity while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
Last but not least, the delegation visited Wadi Al-Seer Municipality, where they met with Mayor Mohammad Muheirat. The mayor provided insights into the municipality’s efforts to engage community committees in advancing sustainability initiatives. He emphasized how local farmers are experiencing tangible benefits from the restored springs and view the Cooperative as a vital platform for addressing challenges and sharing solutions. The delegation commended Mayor Muheirat for his leadership in fostering community-driven environmental, agricultural sustainability and collaboration between neighbours.
The Al Murunah project addresses pressing Jordanian water security matters in a way that directly improves people’s lives. The pilot will generate evidence to help government agencies, community organizations, and other funders to adopt similar interventions more widely. Replicating such localised climate solutions is critical to create a more resilient future.
Al Murunah is a regional climate resilience and adaptation project funded by the UK Government and implemented in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).