NNA - Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, on Friday chaired an expanded meeting at the Grand Serail on social safety networks in Lebanon, organized by Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Al-Sayyed under the theme "The Next Phase of Reform."
The meeting brought together several ambassadors, representatives from international organizations, and key stakeholders in Lebanon’s social sector. Discussions focused on strengthening social safety programs, addressing rising poverty, and ensuring broader access to essential services.
Salam emphasized that Lebanon was facing a deep social crisis following years of economic hardship, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut Port explosion, and the recent Israeli war, which caused large-scale destruction and displacement. He stressed the need to restore confidence in Lebanon, particularly among its youth, and to prioritize social policies alongside economic reforms.
The PM noted that poverty rates had already been high before the war, with young children being the most vulnerable. Issues such as food insecurity, limited healthcare access, and human capital losses have worsened over the years, requiring a comprehensive social protection system.
Salam added that “as part of its ministerial commitments, the government will reactivate the ministerial social committee and take steps to implement the National Social Protection Strategy, with a focus on expanding poverty-targeting programs and disability support, ensuring access to primary healthcare and public education, promoting economic inclusion through well-designed employment programs, and implementing pension reforms to secure dignified retirement.
Recognizing that economic reforms could be challenging for some segments of society, Salam stressed the need for significant support for these social measures, while ensuring transparency and accountability in all programs.
In turn, Minister Al-Sayyed outlined the ministry’s strategic framework for expanding social safety nets, focusing on expanding direct cash assistance, strengthening links to social services, building institutional capacity and infrastructure, and enhancing coordination and aligning systems.
The Social Affairs Minister further highlighted that poverty levels have surged since the recent war, exacerbating food insecurity, malnutrition, and healthcare access issues, with children facing the highest risks.
“Despite existing programs such as the Aman Program, the cash allowance program for people with disabilities, and emergency cash assistance, coverage remains insufficient, reaching only a portion of those in need,” the Minister explained.
Al-Sayyed went on to propose various scenarios for expanding social safety programs, emphasizing the government’s commitment to increasing social spending from the state budget. She also announced plans to strengthen coordination between ministries and partners, improve internal systems, and propose a Social Safety Nets Law to ensure sustainability.
==========R.H.
