‪MOSA starts up the 4th stage of its programme to support the poorest families while criticizing NGOs!

‪The Minister of Social Affairs (MOSA), Wael Abu Faoor, announced yesterday the start up of the fourth stage of the programme to support the poorest families in Lebanon and which is implemented by the Ministry in collaboration with the Embassies of Italy and Canada as well as the World Bank.  The announcement was made during a joint press conference with the Italian ambassador in Lebanon giuseppe morabito, and the Canadian Ambassador Hilary Adams which was held yesterday and was attended by a representative of the World Bank and several representatives from the Ministry.

‪Abu Faoor presented the outcomes from the previous phases of the said programme while outlining the number and geographical distribution of beneficiaries who spread across Lebanon and received support in education and health services.  The Minister also noted that the programme reflects the commitment of his Ministry while lamenting the absence of significant international aid to Lebanon in order to assist in meeting the challenges of the displacement of Syrian population, and dismissing the reluctance of the international aid donors who point out to Lebanon’s poor track record and lack of transparency.  He said however that this programme is a proof to the contrary to which both the Italian and Canadian embassy can attest.   He insisted that the current social and economic conditions in the country justify the continuity of the current programme reiterating that poor past experiences are not solid justifications for not to supporting successful programmes as the one question.  The Minister went on to further criticize the strategy adopted by the international community in providing aid through international organisations, and through them, to local non-governmental organisations. According to the Minister’s calculations, this strategy resulted in circa 27% of aid being misused.  He concluded by saying that the Ministry’s current program is a model that can be replicated in the future.

Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal 4 October 2013