Developing Climate-sensitive Social Protection in Jordan: Perspectives from Azraq Town and Shuna al-Shamaliya

The concept of ‘climate-sensitive’ social protection programmes has gained traction in recent years. This article provides insights for community and social development practitioners, scholars and development agencies in the redesign of social protection programmes to meet the challenges posed by climate change. Through semi-structured interviews with community members in Shuna al-Shamaliya and Azraq Town, coupled with an overview of social protection and vulnerability in Jordan, this article discusses the nature of existing programmes and makes recommendations for how the social protection ecosystem could be adjusted in the context of the climate crisis. Crucially, it recommends balancing the ongoing development of shock-responsive programmes with adaptive programmes designed to reduce long-term vulnerability to climatic shocks.