Arab Ministers of Social Affairs praise the initiatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain to confront the repercussions of the Corona Covid-19 pandemic

28-06-2020

Arab Social Affairs Ministers commended the measures and initiatives taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to address the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the health, economic, and social sectors, mitigating its impact on society in general, and particularly on people with disabilities, the elderly, and families receiving support and social assistance. They also praised the effectiveness of the social safety net and its ability to confront disasters and crises. This came during the Council's emergency session held today, Sunday, via videoconference. The session aimed to examine the social and humanitarian impacts resulting from the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in countries around the world, highlight the need to coordinate Arab efforts to contain the negative impacts on vulnerable groups in society, and review the preventive measures taken by Arab member states to limit the spread of this epidemic. In his intervention during the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, reviewed the steps taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to confront the negative effects of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, explaining that in accordance with the royal directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the great King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, and the decisions issued by the esteemed government headed by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and the efforts made by the National Campaign to Combat COVID-19, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, the Kingdom of Bahrain has launched a financial package worth 4.3 billion Bahraini dinars to confront the economic repercussions of the Coronavirus at the local level, in order to achieve the sustainability of the health and safety of citizens and residents and the continuation of the state’s programmes and its work in the field of sustainable development. This includes the state’s commitment to paying the wages of citizens working in the private sector for a period of three months, in addition to exempting them from paying fees for a number of basic services for the same period. He also referred to the directives of the esteemed Cabinet to expand the circle of beneficiaries of programmes. The financial package includes self‑employed workers and supports small and medium enterprises, productive families, struggling business owners, and the uninsured, with the aim of helping them overcome this exceptional period. In this context, he pointed to the precautionary measures taken by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development to protect senior citizens, people with disabilities, children of unknown parentage, orphans, and children from broken families, and the Ministry's continued provision of shelter and care services, disbursement of prosthetic devices to senior citizens and people with disabilities, social assistance, and family counselling. Humaidan explained that the measures taken by the government are evidence and embodiment of Bahrain's commitment to caring for its citizens and residents, and its ability to confront disasters and crises, based on its belief in the importance of fulfilling its obligations and preserving the safety and health of society. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Arab Ministers of Social Affairs issued a statement in which they emphasised the importance of enhancing coordination and exchanging successful experiences among Arab countries to mitigate the social impacts of the pandemic. They also emphasised working to strengthen social protection systems and expand their beneficiaries to include new categories highlighted by the current crisis. They also urged member states to implement the Arab Strategic Framework for the Eradication of Multidimensional Poverty in a way that responds to the rising poverty rate caused by this crisis. They also urged coordination with Arab Ministers of Health and social partners to support the implementation of the Arab Strategy for the Elderly, and to work to support people with disabilities and build their capacities to confront the current crisis through a set of programmes.