UK gov’t extends support to Emergency Social Protection programme

AMMAN — British Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind on Monday visited the National Aid Fund’s (NAF) main branch in Amman.

During her visit, she heard from NAF beneficiaries on how UK-supported cash transfers under the Takaful 3 programme have positively affected their lives following the impact of COVID-19, according to a statement from the British embassy. 

The ambassador announced a further £9m of UK support for Social Protection in Jordan in 2021 through the Takaful 3 programme. 

Adding to the UK’s £25m contribution to Jordan’s Emergency Social Protection programme in 2020, this brings total UK support for Social Protection since the beginning of the pandemic to £34m.

In 2020, the programme provided cash transfers to 293,000 economically vulnerable Jordanian households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those who had lost jobs and livelihoods in the informal sector and female headed households. 

In 2021, the Takaful 3 programme continues to support 160,000 beneficiaries who still suffer the impact of COVID-19.  This additional £9m will provide cash assistance to 15,000 beneficiaries (approx. 72,000 individuals) in 2021, the statement said.

NAF’s Acting Director General Barq Al Damour welcomed the visit and gave an overview of the work done to date at the NAF in response to COVID-19 and briefed on the NAF’s future plans for 2022.

During the visit, one of the beneficiaries said: “The support, through cash assistance, helped to cover monthly rental payments, utility bills and basic household supplies”

Ambassador Brind concluded by saying: “I am delighted that UK support has helped the NAF to reach so many vulnerable beneficiaries during 2020 and 2021. My meeting with families supported by the NAF’s emergency cash transfers confirms how the programme continues to make a positive difference on their lives by strengthening their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Damour said: “The UK’s efforts, in providing financial and technical assistance support in Jordan, alongside other donors and technical partners, have enabled the improvement and expansion of our social protection in Jordan, allowing it to bring more benefit to more beneficiaries.”