Syrian Social Affairs’ Minister: Our Social Aids Reached Billion Liras

Local Editor

The Syrian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Jassim Mohammed Zakaria, stressed that "the Ministry of Social Affairs has provided aid, through NGOs and charities, to the families of the displaced Syrians due to the current Syrian crisis."

In an interview with al-Ahed News site, Zakaria highlighted that "the aids mounted to more than 250 million Syrian pounds."
On the sidelines of the 17th meeting of the Higher Committee for Relief, held recently in the ministry building in Damascus, he mentioned "the ministry also offered other social benefits to help the families of children suffering cerebral palsy with a money amount that exceeded 480 million Syrian pounds."

"The Social Affairs ministry also provided direct services provided through social welfare, service and rural development centers all over the provinces," he clarified.
Regarding the trapped citizens in some areas, particularly old Homs neighborhoods, the minister confirmed: "We are interested in the delivery of services to all our people without any discrimination, and are concerned that we get to them, but sometimes we might face some difficulties and obstacles."
To them, Zakaria assured the his ministry as well as all the Syrian government will spare no effort to reach them wherever they are trapped. "This is to happen with the help of the Relief Committee's and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent," he mentioned.

On the details of the relief efforts in the Yarmouk camp and Tishreen neighborhood in Damascus, Zakaria stressed: "Palestinians are completely equal to the Syrians, and our ministry does not distinguish between a Syrian or Palestinian."
"We have opened more than 10 hourly quick shelters," he revealed, and noted that "they were filled."

He further asserted that "we are keen not to leave any Palestinian because they are our people."
"Despite the fact that many Palestinians returned to their homes in the camp, these centers are still busy and continue to provide Palestinians with their essential needs," Zakaria said.
In conclusion, Zakaria added that "the social reliefs that the ministry provided, whether materials or cash, reached more than one billion Syrian pounds."

"This forms a fraction of the government's duty towards the Syrian people," he concluded.


Source: al-Ahed News, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org