The town of Irbid is Jordan's gate to Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. It has approximately 80,000 inhabitants, most of which are in the lower and medium income brackets. The town has two universities, several secondary schools and five hospitals. SOS Children's Village Irbid was officially inaugurated by Queen Noor on 23 November 1999. It is situated in an eastern suburb of Irbid and can easily be reached by car.

The SOS Children's Village consists of twelve family homes (for up to 110 children), an administration and service area, the village director's house and a house for the so-called SOS aunts (SOS mother trainees or family helpers who support the SOS mothers during their daily work and fill in for them when they are ill or on leave).

In July 2002, a two-storey SOS Youth House for girls was added to the SOS Children's Village. With only one educator to take care of them, the girls are quite independent and have to take responsibility for their lives. For youngsters from the SOS Children's Villages, moving to an SOS Youth Facility is usually the first step towards an independent life. SOS mothers, educators and village directors prepare the youngsters very carefully for this important step in their lives. Young people usually stay at the SOS Youth Facility until they have finished their education or training and found a job.