SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

 Charitable institutions in danger, what did Minister Hajjar reveal?

The Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar indicated that “the state has entrusted associations since their inception, with the most needy citizens, including addicts, children, orphans, people with special needs, the elderly, assaulted women and their children, among others.”

The ministry has also allocated a budget for these associations to carry out their role in this regard.

Hajjar revealed in an interview with Al-Modon, that there is a delay in payments. Some institutions were paid the first quarter of 2020, and others before 2020. This delay in payment coincided with the deteriorating purchasing power, in addition to their deposits that are trapped in banks. Even if the money is transferred, they can only benefit from 8 million LBP per month. All these problems have plunged charities into a major crisis.”

Hajjar discussed these hurdles with President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and stressed the severe situation, saying: “some institutions have informed me that they are in danger of displacing needy people in the streets or from homes. There is also a risk that the majority of associations will reach the disaster that occurred with patients in Annaya.”

Hajjar pointed out that he has set up a committee in which associations participate to keep in contact with them.

Minister Hajjar also indicated that he is communicating with international institutions “to secure diesel and some other stuff. He said: “I explained to the association that there are two types of contracts, a contract from the Ministry of Affairs, and a contract for permanent residence from the Ministry of Public Health.”

He added: “ In the second case, diesel may be secured,” noting that “the matter is not yet clear to international institutions, that there is a contract from the Ministry of Social Affairs as well, but I contacted them in order to conduct a field tour, to inform them of the status of associations on the ground.”

    Source:
  • Sawt Beirut International