Minister of Social Development, Chairwoman of National Aid Fund (NAF), Wafa Bani Mustafa, said Jordan has attached “utmost” importance to Jordan National Social Protection Strategy, based on His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision and directives to become an “essential” axis, similar to Jordan’s economic and institutional modernization paths. Bani Mustafa made the remarks during her meeting with Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs, Hector Hajjar, and the accompanying delegation to learn and benefit from Jordan’s expertise in social protection field. Bani Mustafa said this visit reflects Jordanian-Lebanese partnership in social protection area, stressing her keenness to continue this joint cooperation. She also social protection enjoys “great” importance to counter crises that struck citizens and affected the most vulnerable society groups. As for Jordan National Social Protection Strategy, she said it 3 axes aimed to providing assistance to the target groups, empowering social services, and creating decent job opportunities. Under the strategy, Bani Mustafa said the ministry and NAF seek to provide the “best” services, noting that digitization and electronic payment accelerated their service-related improvement. Bani Mustafa also lauded the ministry’s donors and supporters, including the World Bank, UNICEF and World Food Organization (WHO). The government supported continuity to implementing social protection programs and strengthened the strategy with financial resources, which was reflected in the services provided to beneficiaries, according to Bani Mustafa. For his part, the Lebanese minister commended Jordan’s expertise in social protection field, stressing that the Kingdom preceded many countries in implementing this strategy on the ground. “Lebanon seeks to benefit from Jordan’s social protection expertise to advance this sector in Lebanon, which would help outreach the poorest groups,” he said, stressing the need to benefit from Jordan’s strategy and cash support programs.

Source: Jordan News Agency