His Excellency, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Mukhtar Al-Yafai met today at the ministry headquarters in the capital, Aden, with a number of civil society organizations concerned with people with disabilities and social welfare. The meeting came within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with active organizations and develop the social protection system.

The meeting discussed the importance of directing efforts toward serving the poorest and most vulnerable groups. Minister Al-Yafai listened to an explanation about the organizations’ work progress, the nature of the services they provide, and the main challenges and obstacles they face in delivering services to beneficiaries. The discussion also covered their relationships with international organizations and the extent to which they benefit from available grants.

During the meeting, the minister congratulated those present on the occasion of Arab Deaf Week, praising the determination and abilities of people with disabilities and their contribution to building society. He noted that this occasion represents an opportunity to raise awareness of their rights and support their active participation in various fields. He also confirmed that the ministry is following up on the implementation of the circular allocating 5% of jobs in both the public and private sectors to people with disabilities, in order to enhance their integration into the labor market and support their economic empowerment.

The minister also praised the efforts being made to care for people with disabilities, stressing the need for everyone to assume responsibility toward these groups. He affirmed his commitment to listening directly to the concerns and needs of civil society organizations and the ministry’s readiness to provide all necessary facilities to ease their work, whether through the ministry itself or in coordination with relevant government bodies.

He further pointed out that the ministry gives special attention to organizations that are actively working on the ground and seeks to build genuine partnerships with them based on integration and the exchange of roles. He urged attendees to present their ideas and proposals and to sit together to discuss the challenges facing all parties, including the ministry, international partners, and donors, in order to reach innovative solutions that contribute to facilitating work and improving outcomes.