Amman, May 19 (Petra) — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani
Mustafa visited several communities in the Wadi Araba district on
Tuesday, including Rahma, Feynan, Al-Risha, Bir Madhkur and Al
Quraiqra, to assess social and development services and review the
needs of families and persons with disabilities.

Bani Mustafa began the field tour with a visit to the Qatar and Rahma
Municipality building, where she met Aqaba governor Ayman
Al-Awaisheh, Wadi Araba District Director Nawaf Al Bdour, and members
of the local community.

She listened to residents’ requests and observations regarding social
and development services and said the Ministry of Social Development
would study those demands and implement what is feasible within
available resources to improve services in the region.

Bani Mustafa said the ministry is continuing to expand services for
persons with disabilities across the kingdom in line with an approach
centered on inclusion and empowerment.

She said the ministry’s inclusive
alternatives-to-institutionalization programs provide prevention,
rehabilitation, community integration, family counseling,
occupational therapy and physical therapy services, as well as
life-skills development aimed at enhancing the independence of
persons with disabilities and their ability to integrate into
society.

The minister said the ministry gives special attention to remote and
underserved areas by intensifying field visits and engaging directly
with citizens, in line with directives from His Majesty King Abdullah
II to improve social and development services and ensure equitable
distribution throughout the kingdom.

Bani Mustafa instructed ministry officials to examine the possibility
of establishing an integrated social services center in Rahma,
subject to available resources. The proposed center would include an
inclusive day services center, a social development office, a local
community development office, and a branch of the National Aid Fund
to provide comprehensive social and development services,
particularly for persons with disabilities and their families.

During the tour, she reviewed progress at the site designated for the
Wadi Araba Comprehensive Inclusive Day Services Center, which will
serve persons with disabilities throughout the Wadi Araba region. She
said the project is being implemented as part of the Royal
Initiatives.

The center will offer specialized and comprehensive services aimed at
promoting inclusion and empowerment and improving access to
rehabilitation and care services close to beneficiaries’ homes.

Bani Mustafa also visited several low-income families and families of
persons with disabilities in Rahma, Bir Madhkur, Al Quraiqra, Feynan
and Al-Risha. She directed that these families receive in-kind and
cash assistance and that requests related to health insurance,
surgical procedures for beneficiaries of the Ministry of Social
Development and the National Aid Fund, and assistive devices for
persons with disabilities be studied.

She also ordered the construction of a house for one family currently
living in a tent as part of the ministry’s social support
initiatives.

The minister inspected several homes undergoing maintenance funded by
the ministry under programs designed to improve living conditions and
provide safe and dignified housing for vulnerable families.

Bani Mustafa visited the Prince Hussein Charitable Society, where she
reviewed income-generating projects established with support from the
ministry, including a stationery shop.

She announced the ministry’s readiness to support the establishment
of a sewing workshop for women in the area in response to their
request for training, along with the provision of a specialized
trainer in embroidery.

She also heard requests presented by the society’s chairman, Ali
Alsaideen, and local residents and instructed ministry officials to
study them and implement what is possible within available resources.

The minister met women receiving training in handicrafts and
announced support for the training project through the provision of
equipment and tools. She also approved the establishment of a credit
fund affiliated with the society to provide interest-free loans to
women wishing to launch small businesses as part of efforts to
promote women’s economic empowerment.

Bani Mustafa later visited the Al Sharif Nasser bin Jamil Charitable
Society, where she met its chairwoman, Shahah Alamareen.

Alamareen said the association, founded in 1992 as the first society
established in Wadi Araba, operates a number of projects, including a
productive kitchen, a playground, financing funds and a library, in
addition to a range of initiatives, programs and training courses.

After reviewing the association’s needs, Bani Mustafa directed
support for the development of its playground project to provide a
safe and healthy environment for children in the area and expressed
the ministry’s willingness to contribute to the construction of a
multipurpose hall once building work begins.

The minister also met beneficiaries of the association’s services and
listened to their experiences with the courses, programs and projects
it offers.

Ministry and local community officials accompanied Bani Mustafa on
the tour.

//Petra// AF