Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Discusses with UNHCR Protection Chief Enhancing Child Protection and Implementing National Plan

Aden – Ministry of Media

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Zaouri, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, met with Ms. "Laise Farias," the Protection Officer at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the capital, Aden, to discuss means of enhancing joint cooperation in the field of protection.

The meeting focused on the international organization's readiness to actively contribute to the implementation of the "National Plan for Child Protection 2026-2029," which was recently launched by the Ministry. Mechanisms for coordination between the two sides were also discussed to enhance child protection and provide aid and assistance, particularly concerning the case management system, and the protection of refugees, their children, and the host community, as UNHCR operates within the case management framework.

Minister Al-Zaouri emphasized the significant role played by UNHCR in the country, amidst the difficult economic challenges and the influx of tens of thousands of refugees. He stressed the urgent need to unify international and national efforts to provide humanitarian aid, paving the way for sustainable services for the community, including its most vulnerable groups.

For her part, Ms. "Farias" praised the national efforts in the protection sector and indicated UNHCR's full awareness of the pressing need to increase humanitarian assistance in light of the wave of refugee arrivals. She expressed UNHCR's full readiness to cooperate and participate in implementing the National Child Protection Plan and the case management system, revealing UNHCR's preparedness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry to achieve these objectives.

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