NAF beneficiaries need additional support in winter, study finds

AMMAN — A study by the National Aid Fund (NAF), which helps prevent families from falling into food poverty, found that its beneficiary families are in need of greater support during the winter.

The study, titled "Measuring food security outcomes for beneficiaries of the NAF", conducted in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), surveyed 3,000 families benefiting from the fund’s Monthly Aid Programme and the Unified Cash Transfer Programme.

The harsh winter requires sufficient food and heating, sometimes at an added expense, according to economic expert Mazen Marji. 

Given the financial burden that many families face during winter, Marji told The Jordan Times that it is crucial to encourage the NAF to allocate a more significant portion of its budget towards winter programmes.

By prioritising winter programmes and increasing financial assistance for families, the NAF can play a critical role in improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations during the winter, he said.

Economist Hosam Ayesh told The Jordan Times that to better support these individuals, the NAF should develop a strategic plan that considers variations in need at different points in the year. Jordan’s poverty line also merits careful consideration, Ayesh said, also recommending that beneficiary families should receive a minimum amount of financial assistance that exceeds the poverty line throughout the year.