Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development aimed at expanding the “Bab Amal” program, which focuses on lifting families out of poverty and providing them with sustainable livelihoods. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
Key Stakeholders and Goals of the Program
The MoU was signed by Eng. Margret Saroufim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, and Laila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation, with the presence of several key figures, including Dr. Mohamed Al-Aqabi, Assistant Minister for Strategic Communication and Media, Dina El-Sayrfi, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Relations, and other officials from the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Additionally, representatives from the Sawiris Foundation and other partners in funding and implementation attended the event.
The “Bab Amal” program, which aims to reduce poverty, is targeting 100,000 Egyptian families by 2028, with the goal of lifting them out of extreme poverty and providing them with more sustainable living conditions. This aligns with Egypt’s broader national objectives of eradicating poverty and achieving social justice.
Drawing Inspiration from Global Success
The “Bab Amal” program draws inspiration from the “graduation from poverty” model developed by BRAC, an international development organization. This model has been successfully implemented in over 50 countries, benefiting approximately 14 million individuals. Evaluations of the model in various international contexts have demonstrated its significant and lasting social, economic, and psychological impacts on participating households.
Minister’s Remarks and Ministry’s Commitment
In her speech, Dr. Morsy expressed her appreciation for the collaboration with the Sawiris Foundation and its partners, emphasizing the importance of a participatory approach in achieving national development goals. She reiterated that the Ministry of Social Solidarity firmly believes that such cooperative work is the safest path to meet the state’s objectives and ensure the welfare of families in need.
Dr. Morsy highlighted that the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s approach includes not only cash support through the “Takaful and Karama” programs but also a comprehensive range of services aimed at assisting vulnerable families in safely exiting poverty. These efforts address various aspects of deprivation, ensuring a more holistic approach to social support.
Focus on Economic Empowerment and Social Integration
Another key priority for the Ministry of Social Solidarity is economic empowerment, which includes initiatives such as microloans, asset grants, and training programs aimed at enhancing employability. Over the years, these programs have supported at least 1.2 million beneficiaries across Egypt. The Ministry continues to focus on providing opportunities for sustainable economic development, ensuring that families receive the resources and support needed to improve their livelihoods and achieve long-term stability.
