Jordan's challenging economy is forcing some people who could previously afford private medicine to turn to the state. Fifty-eight private and public centers throughout the country care for and rehabilitate the handicapped. Aside from the medical aspect, as with many other societies, people's attitudes must change radically before the problems of the handicapped can be understood and firmly dealt with. There is a dire shortage of financial resources, trained health personnel and therapeutic equipment needed for the handicapped. A challenging economy, and changing social traditions and norms, are altering this situation.
Several agencies offer assistance to the needy.
Scores of NGOs are active in a variety of projects in fields such as maternal and child care, early childhood education, women's leadership training, vocational and literacy training for women and girls, environmental protection, community development, care for the disabled, and income-generating projects. Among the major NGOs are the Noor Al Hussein Foundation, GUVS, Save the Children Fund, the Queen Alia Fund for Social Development and SOS Children's villages. The Queen Alia Fund, the World Food Program and the Ministry of Education administer a program to feed some 50,000 low income primary school children.