His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Saeed Al-Zaouri, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, met this morning in his office in the capital, Aden, with Mr. Peter Hawkins, Resident Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Yemen. 

During the meeting, Minister Al-Zaouri discussed with Mr. Peter Hawkins the discussions, developments and technical understandings addressed in the workshop on the unconditional cash transfer project funded by the International Monetary Fund and UNICEF, which was held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, during the period from 21 to 24 October 2024.

Minister Al-Zaouri stressed the effective role of cooperation and partnership existing between the Ministry and UNICEF in the field of social protection, the protection of vulnerable children, people with disabilities, and women, and the social welfare project represented by unconditional cash transfers funded by the World Bank.

The Minister appreciated the efforts made and the professional discussions led by the World Bank and UNICEF in coordination with the leadership of the Ministry and the Social Welfare Fund regarding studying proposals for updates to the unconditional cash transfer project funded by the World Bank since 2017 AD, and which is scheduled to be implemented by next year 2025 AD after the discussions fulfill the conditions. Technical and administrative standards and obtaining the required government approvals. 

He also praised the role of UNICEF and its support for the efforts of the Ministry’s leadership, its sectors and its offices in the governorates, which culminated in the completion of the strategic framework for the National Social Protection Plan and the Child Protection Plan, as well as the issuance of the updated guide for the case management system for vulnerable children and the training guide, looking forward to completing the remaining evidence and references. The theory is on track to be launched and announced for the two strategies early next year, under the auspices of the Prime Minister and in the presence of government ministers And representatives of UN and international organizations and civil society organizations.

For his part, Mr. Peter expressed his happiness at meeting the Minister and the Ministry’s team and holding such fruitful discussions, stressing the importance of effective coordination between the organization, the Ministry and all partners to discuss the ideas and proposals presented transparently, especially with regard to updates to the unconditional cash transfer project to agree on the new project. Determine the criteria for selecting targets and implementation mechanisms in accordance with the main foundations upon which it has been built since its launch, and the amount and volume of funding available for the coming years. And harness it in order to provide a food basket for families that meet the selection conditions in accordance with the approved poverty indicators. 

Mr. Peter pointed out the importance of continuing programs to build the capabilities of the human and institutional staff of the Social Welfare Fund in preparation for the transfer of project operations management to it in the coming years. He appreciated the ministry’s efforts in preparing strategies for protection, and that he will participate in the launch of the national plan for child protection at the beginning of next year. As it constituted a qualitative leap motivating the organization of the expanded meeting with international donors in the Kingdom of Jordan in January 2025.