29 Sep International Conference on Social Protection in Contexts of Fragility and Forced Displacement, in Brussels

The MoHADM took part in a two day conference named International Conference on Social Protection in Contexts of Fragility and Forced Displacement, in Brussels, between 28th and 29 September. Official Ministry representatives were the Hon. Minister Maryan Qasim and Permanent Secretary Mohamed Moallim.

The summit was held in the current context of compounding, lingering and complex crises across regions, which highlights the need to link humanitarian actions with longMterm development. Given its positive social, economic and political impacts in the lives of people, social protection is an area where this link is fundamental. Social protection contributes to enhancing households’ resilience to both natural and human made shocks and stresses in contexts of fragility and forced displacement by minimizing negative coping mechanisms, mitigating negative impacts of diverse and recurring shocks, while making humanitarian response more effective and also facilitating the integration of displaced people and supporting the livelihoods of host communities.

The international conference brought together governments, international, bilateral organizations, and researchers from 40 countries to discuss concrete and technical implementation of the international commitments issued by the World Humanitarian Summit on social assistance and protection.

Participants of conference focussed on new ways to develop social protection systems in contexts of protracted crisis. They discussed the potential of social protection systems in crises; options to develop new and preserve as well as expand the coverage of existing social protection systems in fragile contexts.

The Ministry Maryan Qasim had a speech where she highlighted the onMgoing consultative process to draft a National Social Protection Policy. The Minister said: “We have started the consultative process to draft a National Social Protection Policy that will outline a broad vision for an inclusive social protection that protects the most vulnerable citizens. The policy will be approved by the Cabinet and accompanied with a timetabled and costed implementation plan.’’

At final day the participants of the International Conference, agreed on the four recommendations:

1. People are at the centre of strengthening social protection systems.

2. Governments take significant actions to expand social protection in their countries.

3. Humanitarian interventions are used as a window of opportunity to maintain existing social