Minister of Social Affairs: Akkar Is Rich; Syrian Prosperity Will Positively Reflect on Lebanon

Minister of Social Affairs Haneen El-Sayed began her second visit to the Akkar Governorate with an extensive meeting at the Halba Municipality, dedicated to discussing the social and developmental reality in the governorate, the challenges facing its residents, and ways to strengthen the ministry's presence, services, and programs in the region.

The meeting was attended by the representative of the Mufti of Akkar, Sheikh Walid Ismail, MPs Walid Al-Ba'arini, Sajeeh Attieh, and Asaad Dargham, Akkar Governor Lawyer Imad Al-Labaki, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Akkar Basilius Mansour, Halba Mayor Abdul Hamid Ahmad Al-Halabi, President of the Central and Coastal Qaytoun Municipal Union Abdul Rahman Al-Hassan, President of the Western Darb Municipal Union Jean Joulou, Head of the Social Affairs Department in Akkar Manal Al-Sahmarani, Secretary General of Akkar Governorate Rola Al-Baye', Head of the Governorate Division Luqman Al-Kurdi, Priest of the Greek Orthodox Parish of Halba Father Fouad Makhoul, Head of the "Akkar Unites Us for Your Eyes" campaign Shadia Al-Hassan, and President of the "Design and Will" Association Khaled Fawzi Al-Morrobi, alongside various social bodies and local figures.

After the national anthem, Al-Halabi delivered a welcoming speech, greeting Minister El-Sayed and the attendees, addressing Akkar's needs and the importance of the Ministry of Social Affairs' role in standing by citizens, especially the most needy families. He pointed out "the burdens Akkar has borne and continues to bear from successive crises and the repercussions of displacement," calling for "strengthening the state's presence, institutions, and services in the governorate."

Al-Halabi emphasized "the necessity of supporting and developing the Ministry of Social Affairs centers in Akkar," demanding "the establishment of basic centers capable of serving citizens professionally and effectively, and conducting a study to establish a center worthy of the ministry and the governorate's residents, keeping pace with the growing social needs."

MPs Al-Ba'arini, Attieh, and Dargham spoke about Akkar's difficult reality and its need for a comprehensive developmental and social approach, affirming "the necessity of directing programs and aid toward the most vulnerable families, and enhancing social services and centers, to help citizens remain steadfast on their land and open real opportunities for youth to work and produce."

Metropolitan Mansour and the representative of the Mufti of Akkar, Sheikh Walid Ismail, also discussed increasing social concerns, emphasizing "the importance of cooperation between the state, municipalities, religious and social bodies, and activating support, care, and development programs, to preserve human dignity and enhance social stability in Akkar."

President of the Central and Coastal Qaytoun Municipal Union Abdul Rahman Al-Hassan, President of the Western Darb Municipal Union Jean Joulou, and Head of the "Akkar Unites Us for Your Eyes" campaign Shadia Al-Hassan presented the residents' needs and the importance of "enhancing the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs and its services in various towns." Shadia Al-Hassan noted "the necessity of paying attention to civil society in Akkar and building an effective partnership between it and the ministry, to enhance initiatives and services directed at the most needy groups."

For her part, Minister Haneen El-Sayed affirmed that "Akkar is a region rich in human and economic potential," noting that "Syria's prosperity will positively reflect on Lebanon, particularly Akkar, given the geographical, economic, and social interconnection between the two sides." She clarified that "the ministry is working to deepen the strategy launched about a year ago," pointing out that "its main title is transitioning from a Ministry of Social Affairs to a Ministry of Social Development," noting that "the change in the ministry's name is now before Parliament following Cabinet approval."

She confirmed that "this transformation is not limited to changing the name but reflects a new direction in the ministry's work based on focusing on development alongside social care, through programs and projects that concentrate on helping citizens integrate into the labor market and improve their living conditions."

El-Sayed addressed the "Aman" program, describing it as "vital, as it covers approximately 20 percent of the Lebanese people, amid rising poverty rates after the last two wars to around 45 percent, and recording negative economic growth of 10 percent, which reflected on various regions including Akkar, where challenges related to unemployment and deteriorating living conditions are increasing."

She revealed that "the budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs witnessed increases, and Akkar will be among the benefiting regions," indicating that the ministry conducted a reassessment through social affairs centers to identify the most needy categories and direct aid to them according to the "poorest first" criterion, given the limited available resources.

She said: "I believe that citizens have rights upon the state, and it is its duty to secure them," noting that she "demanded an increase in the ministry's budget, which was achieved through an increase of $50 million in last year's budget, and an additional $20 million in the 2027 budget."

Regarding the administrative and service infrastructure of the ministry in Akkar, El-Sayed announced "the launch of a comprehensive study for social affairs centers across all Lebanese regions," clarifying that "the governorate includes 14 centers currently undergoing evaluation to study their needs and possibilities for expansion and service development."

She noted that "the primary challenge lies in finding suitable buildings for these centers and securing the necessary funding to rent and operate them, to enhance the ministry's presence and facilitate citizens' access to its services," affirming that "Akkar will be present in the ministry's priorities within the desired path of social development."

At the conclusion of the meeting, Halba Mayor Abdul Hamid Ahmad Al-Halabi presented Minister El-Sayed with historical books about the city of Halba, while the minister thanked the municipality for the warm reception, appreciating the meeting and the social and developmental issues and demands raised therein concerning the residents of Akkar.

Minister El-Sayed continued her tour in Akkar Governorate with a visit to the town of Tikrit, where she reopened the Development Services Center belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs after completing rehabilitation and renovation works, attended by MP Sajeeh Attieh, Mayor of Tikrit Dr. Hala Al-Abdullah, Head of the Center Laura Taleb, along with several municipal and social figures and local residents.

During the visit, El-Sayed reviewed the center's departments and the services it provides to residents, emphasizing "the importance of enhancing the role of these centers and developing their capabilities to meet the increasing social needs in the region."

El-Sayed stressed that "reopening the center falls within the ministry's vision to update development services centers and gradually transform them into community development centers providing specialized services for children, youth, and women. Their mission is not limited to providing care and social services but also includes economic empowerment and local development, in partnership with municipalities and civil society."

She affirmed that "the goal is to make these centers a key link between the state and citizens, ensuring services reach the most needy groups and enhancing development opportunities in the towns."