Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen Al-Sayyid, held a meeting in the ministry with a number of MPs from Tripoli, Akkar, and Minieh-Dinniyeh, which included MPs Ashraf Rifi, Taha Naji, Jamil Abboud, Saji’ Attia, Jimmy Jabour, Muhammad Suleiman, Ihab Matar and Ahmed Al-Khair, within the framework of monitoring the regions’ conditions and social needs, and enhancing coordination between the ministry and MPs on social protection priorities.
The meeting mainly dealt with the “Aman” program, the mechanisms for families most in need to access the program and the follow-up of cases and inquiries related to it, in addition to the continuity of funding for the program in the next stage.
In this context, Al-Sayed stressed the importance of “approving additional financing for the “Aman” program worth $200 million from the World Bank, pending its referral to the general body of the House of Representatives for a vote, as it constitutes an essential element to ensure the continuity of the program and its expansion to include a larger number of the most needy families. She stressed the importance of supporting this path in the House of Representatives, considering the continuity of “Aman” a national priority in the social protection system.”
The meeting also discussed the reality of the Ministry’s development services centers in Tripoli, Akkar, and Minieh-Dinniyeh, the services they provide, and the challenges facing a number of them at the level of buildings, equipment, human resources, and employment, in addition to the basic social needs in the regions in light of the increasing economic and social pressures.
Al-Sayed stressed that “development service centers must be actual focal points for the state in the regions, close to the people and their daily needs,” noting that “the Ministry is working to activate the centers and enhance their capabilities in cooperation with municipalities and partners, according to the priorities and actual needs of each region.”
She pointed out that “the Ministry is working in parallel to develop the social protection system and link social assistance more closely with services and economic inclusion opportunities, in a way that helps families and individuals gradually move from the need for assistance towards more sustainable opportunities.”
It was agreed to continue coordination and follow-up between the Ministry and the representatives on priority social issues in Tripoli, Akkar, and Minieh-Dinniyeh, which contributes to improving citizens’ access to the Ministry’s services and better responding to the needs of the regions.
