Cairo: Dr. Maya Morsi, the Minister of Social Solidarity, expressed her honor in marking the 10th anniversary of "Takaful and Karama"-Egypt's largest social protection programme. This initiative has become a fundamental aspect of life for millions of Egyptians, reflecting the political will to ensure every citizen's right to a dignified life.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the celebration was organized by the Ministry of Social Solidarity under the theme "Social Protection: Lessons from the Past Shape the Steps of the Future." The event, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, was attended by former and current ministers, UN representatives, members of the World Bank, and other international and local dignitaries.
Dr. Morsi highlighted that the programme, initiated by support from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and successive governments, started with Minister Ghada Wali. Over the years, it has expanded significantly under the leadership of various ministers, including Ms. Neveen El-Kabbaj, ensuring support for the most needy families across Egypt.
The Minister paid tribute to Dr. Ali Moselhi, the spiritual father of the programme, and the dedicated team at the Ministry for their efforts in expanding the programme nationwide. This expansion included transforming Takaful and Karama cards into Meeza cards to promote financial inclusion and collaborating with international partners to achieve the programme's goals.
She detailed the programme's growth from serving 1.7 million families in 2015 to supporting 7.7 million families today. The programme not only provides cash support but also offers a comprehensive package of protections, including food subsidies, healthcare services, education assistance, and more, aiming to enhance the quality of life for deserving families.
Despite challenges such as the COVID pandemic and global economic issues, the programme has adapted quickly, proving its resilience. Dr. Morsi announced the upcoming establishment of a Social Protection Law to institutionalize cash support as a constitutional right and highlighted significant developments, including a 25% increase in support and special bonuses for beneficiaries.
The Minister emphasized the programme's alignment with Egypt's Vision 2030 and UN goals to eradicate poverty. She concluded by announcing Egypt's plan to host an annual international platform for social protection in collaboration with the World Bank, facilitating the exchange of successful strategies and innovations globally.
A commemorative gift was presented to the Prime Minister as a token of appreciation for his support of social protection programmes, reflecting the Ministry's gratitude for the continued backing of its initiatives.