Safadi Receives Minister of Social Affairs Haneen El Sayed in Akkar Both Confirm Cooperation for the Benefit of the Region and Its People

Safadi Receives Minister of Social Affairs Haneen El Sayed in Akkar Both Confirm Cooperation for the Benefit of the Region and Its People

Minister of Social Affairs, Haneen El Sayed, visited Safadi Center for Rural Development in Deir Dalloum, Akkar, where she was received by the President of Safadi Foundation, Mr. Mohammad Safadi. In attendance were also Mr. Federico Barrotta, Senior Technical Advisor at the International Labour Organization (ILO), Ms. Joy Daher, Head of the Skills, Employment, and Resilience Program within the ENABLE initiative at the ILO, Ms. Manal Al-Sahmarani, Head of the Social Affairs Department in Akkar, along with several ministry and center staff members.

The visit began with a luncheon hosted by Safadi in honor of Minister El Sayed, during which discussions focused on Akkar and the numerous challenges faced by the region and its residents, as well as ways to address them in a manner that put Akkar’s place on Lebanon’s development map.

Minister El Sayed reaffirmed her commitment to continuous coordination with ministry offices across various regions in order to follow up on the needs and concerns of citizens. Safadi, for his part, highlighted the intense competition faced by Lebanese laborers, particularly in the agricultural sector, due to the influx of non-Lebanese workers. He expressed hope that the coming period would bring signs of stability on all levels.

Barrotta also presented the various programs that the ILO is implementing in partnership with local actors, aimed at equipping young men and women with additional skills across a range of fields.

Then, the delegation toured the different sections of the center, where Minister El Sayed was briefed by staff and supervisors on the various food products being produced using both traditional and modern methods. She praised the center for providing numerous job opportunities for both women and men.