The Minister of Social Affairs and Labor discusses the status of the Social Development Fund with international partners.

Minister Discusses Social Fund Development with International Partners

Minister’s Engagement with EU Ambassador

Today, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Mokhtar Al-Yafai, held a virtual meeting with Patrick Simonnet, the European Union Ambassador to Yemen, and various international officials. The discussion focused on the current status of the Social Fund for Development and strategies to enhance its national role. They also explored ways to sustain cash support programs aimed at deserving families.

Importance of the Social Fund

The meeting included key figures such as Dina Abu Ghida, the World Bank’s Country Director for Yemen, Tawfiq Al-Zubari, the Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Yemen, and Winnie van der Val, the First Secretary for Water, Food Security, and Private Sector Development at the Dutch Embassy in Yemen. They emphasized the Social Fund for Development’s critical role as a national institution in implementing social and developmental programs. This role strengthens social protection pathways and local development, ensuring the Fund can continue its interventions through transparent institutional mechanisms and internationally recognized standards.

Government’s Commitment to Social Protection

Minister Al-Yafai reiterated the government’s commitment to keeping international partners informed about its strategies for managing social protection issues. He stressed the importance of the government overseeing any support or grants provided across the country. This oversight ensures that assistance aligns with humanitarian and developmental frameworks.

Social Fund as a National Pillar

Al-Yafai stated, “The Social Fund for Development represents a vital national pillar in social protection and local development. Maintaining its role and institutional independence is a shared responsibility, enabling it to continue its interventions from the temporary capital, Aden, while covering various provinces. This approach serves deserving families and groups without discrimination.”

International Partners’ Support

International partners expressed their commitment to ongoing collaboration with the government to support the Yemeni people and enhance social protection and development programs. They highlighted the importance of working according to specified priorities and needs, in partnership with relevant government entities, to benefit deserving groups across various social and developmental sectors.

This meeting underscores the collaborative efforts between the Yemeni government and international partners to strengthen social support systems and promote sustainable development in Yemen.

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