AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafaa Bani Mustafa met on Sunday with UNHCR Representative to Jordan Maria Stavropoulou to explore ways to enhance cooperation.

 

Bani Mustafa underscored the significance of the ministry’s partnership with the UNHCR, which is built on a series of memoranda of understanding that provide a framework for collaboration in various social sectors, according to a ministry statement.

 

The meeting focused on future cooperation, particularly the establishment of a centre dedicated to the protection of women to promote equitable access to services across the Kingdom and provide support to women in regions with heightened vulnerability.

 

The minister also stressed the need to invest in institutional capacity-building for the ministry’s technical and administrative staff to ensure the sustainability and quality of its services. She also noted the importance of strengthening the ministry’s welfare institutions through joint programmes.

 

Bani Mustafa highlighted the ministry’s ongoing efforts in implementing the “Oasis” project, in cooperation with UN Women, which provides social and developmental services to women and girls in local communities. She also referenced the “Makani” initiative, run in partnership with UNICEF through the ministry’s community development centres, stressing the need to institutionalise both programmes to ensure their long-term impact.

 

She also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to delivering services within a comprehensive humanitarian framework that includes all individuals residing in Jordan, across various social sectors.

 

Stavropoulou commended the ministry’s role in implementing the National Social Protection Strategy and its four core pillars, expressing interest in expanding joint cooperation to support vulnerable groups targeted by the ministry’s initiatives.