CAIRO/KUWAIT: The council of Arab ministers of social affairs called for helping the Palestinian authorities combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and control its fallout on economic and social situations. Acting on request from Jordan - the current presidency of the 39th session of the council, the ministers adopted a statement at the end of their emergency videoconference on Sunday, calling for joining forces with Palestinians in the face of the pandemic.

The ministers urged regional government and nongovernment organizations to step in immediately and help the countries that have been already overwhelmed by internal conflicts, or vulnerable communities such as internally displaced people and refugees. They highlighted the need of sharing information and programs of social integration in a bid to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on day laborers, low-income families and the jobless persons, as well as people with special needs, women, children and the elderly.

The ministers appreciated the national initiatives for digitalizing the social services for vulnerable people including the online reporting of cases that require social or medical help amidst the current lockdowns, according to the statement. They reiterated the call for implementing the Arab strategic framework for poverty eradication, adopted in the fourth Arab development summit in Beirut last year. Highlighting the need to implement the Arab strategy for the elderly, adopted in the 30th Arab summit in Tunis in March 2019, the ministers called for updating the Arab family strategy in order to make it adapt to the impacts of coronavirus. They suggested working out a roadmap for helping people with special needs in the face of the pandemic in collaboration with regional and international partners.

Human rights

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel said the measures and initiatives taken by Kuwait to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and mitigates its economic and social fallout were in keeping with international human rights standards. “The measures implemented by Kuwait have won praise of the World Health Organization (WHO),” she said in a speech during the videoconference.

“In its response to the pandemic, the State of Kuwait took stock of the right to decent living and ensured accessibility to health services for everybody as per the instructions of His Highness the Amir,” Aqeel pointed out. The government spared no effort in providing social protection and assistance to vulnerable people, particularly the expatriates, and helped non-government organizations raise funds to these people, she added. — KUNA