Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Discusses Strengthening Partnership with UNICEF on Social Protection and Child Protection
Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Discusses Strengthening Partnership with UNICEF on Social Protection and Child Protection
The Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Mukhtar Al-Yafaei, met today at the ministry's headquarters in Aden with Obia Achieng, UNICEF Deputy Representative for Programmes and Acting Representative in Yemen, and Hussein Attar, UNICEF Child Protection Programme Manager, to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation and partnership between the ministry and UNICEF in the areas of social protection and child protection.
The meeting focused on finalizing the Strategic Framework for Social Protection and its executive regulations, as well as continuing coordination on the implementation of the National Child Protection Plan and developing a joint roadmap to advance its priorities. Discussions also addressed the importance of restoring cash assistance programmes for the most vulnerable families and establishing a transparent coordination mechanism to ensure that assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries according to clear and fair criteria.
Minister Al-Yafaei stressed the importance of gradually shifting from emergency humanitarian interventions to long-term social protection and sustainable development programmes that generate lasting impact. He noted that the ministry looks forward to expanding its partnership with UNICEF to build a more efficient and sustainable social protection system while supporting the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Social Protection and the National Child Protection Plan.
The minister also highlighted the upcoming consultative meeting that will bring together the ministry, its provincial offices, relevant government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners. The meeting aims to unify visions, address existing challenges, facilitate cooperation among stakeholders, and develop a shared roadmap. He emphasized that the ministry is committed to strengthening partnerships, building trust, and promoting complementary roles to improve the effectiveness of social and humanitarian work.
Minister Al-Yafaei explained that the ministry's work is guided by a people-centered approach that places human dignity and the protection of rights at the forefront, without discrimination. He noted that this vision underpins the ministry's policies and social programmes, while emphasizing the need to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches its intended beneficiaries and is used solely for the purposes for which it was allocated, without being diverted to activities or practices that could harm people or contradict humanitarian principles.
For his part, Obia Achieng commended the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour's strategic direction, noting that it aligns closely with UNICEF's priorities and programmes in Yemen. He reaffirmed UNICEF's commitment to supporting its government partners in developing the roadmap for implementing the Strategic Framework for Social Protection, completing the executive regulations, and supporting the implementation of the National Child Protection Plan, thereby strengthening social protection and child protection efforts across Yemen.
