NAF, EU and UNICEF partner to strengthen social protection system for the most vulnerable children

The National Aid Fund (NAF), the European Union and UNICEF launched a new partnership today aimed at strengthening the national social protection system for the well-being of the most disadvantaged children in the country.

“I’m very happy to see so many partners gathered today as social protection for children in Jordan is a priority for all,” said the Minister of Social Development H.E. Hala Lattouf during the launch event. “Social issues need time. There’s no magic wand. We need longer term partnerships and we are grateful to UNICEF and the EU for their continued support,” Minister Lattouf added.

Funded by the European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis (the Madad Fund), the NAF-UNICEF project titled ‘Institutional strengthening of NAF and child cash grant for the most vulnerable children in Jordan’ includes a new child cash grant programme for most vulnerable Jordanian children.

Furthermore, the joint project aims at strengthening NAF’s monitoring and evaluation systems; enhancing NAF staff capacities; reviewing the cash assistance targeting system and its impact on children and adolescents; and updating the ICT system for introducing technology for payment system for cash transfers to disadvantaged Jordanian families with children.

“In the context of the EU ‘Madad’ Fund – UNICEF cooperation, we are delighted to partner directly with the NAF in support of the most vulnerable families with children. The European Union and UNICEF will continue to support the commendable efforts of the Jordanian government in safeguarding children's rights and in addressing social protection and education needs of girls and boys,” said the EU Head of Cooperation, Ibrahim Laafia.

For the child cash grant component of the project, the NAF specifically prioritised the most vulnerable families with children who are living below the national poverty line of JOD 68 per person per month. These children also are at risk of dropping out of school and will receive integrated social protection and education services to support their education.

“I must commend the National Aid Fund for their continued assistance to the most disadvantaged children and families in Jordan. UNICEF is very optimistic about this new partnership with NAF through the support from the European Union that will further strengthen the social protection system for the well-being of every vulnerable girl and boy living in the Kingdom,” said the UNICEF Jordan Representative Robert Jenkins.

Based on the current available funding, the project will initially support 1,000 families with at least two children aged 6-18 years with the highest deprivation scores. Eighty per cent of Jordanian families identified for the project live in 23 programme priority districts identified by UNICEF through its Multidimensional Child Vulnerability Index.

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NOTE TO EDITORS

Poverty in Jordan: The poverty and vulnerability of Jordanians living under or near the poverty line has been heightened by the continuing instability in neighbouring countries including the Syria crises. There is a higher rate of poverty in rural areas, but 80 per cent of poor households are located in urban areas, especially in the densely-populated governorates of Amman, Irbid and Zarqa. While poverty figures in Jordan remain relatively low, the World Bank noted that most of the poorest 40 per cent of households are exposed to the risk of transient and seasonal poverty. Overall, 33 per cent of the population in Jordan (18.6% transient poor and 14.4% absolute poor) experience poverty during at least one quarter of the year (World Bank 2016).

European Union Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis: The EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis, the “Madad Fund”, brings a more coherent and integrated EU response to the crisis and primarily addresses longer term economic, educational and social needs of Syrian refugees, host communities and their administrations in Syria's neighboring countries Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Today the EU Regional Trust Fund is also one of the key instruments through which the new EU ‘Compacts’ with Jordan and Lebanon are being implemented. With contributions from 22 EU Member States, amounting to over €93,80 million, as well as Turkey and contributions from various EU budget instruments, the Fund has reached a total volume of over €1 billion to date. Projects addressing education, livelihoods, health and sanitary needs have already been approved, covering a total of €1.040 million. €484 million have been contracted to the Trust Fund's implementing partners on the ground.

Find out more: https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/neighbourhood/countries/s...