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Establishing the National Social Aid Fund (NSAF) in Syria

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Implementing Partner: Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL)
Practice Area: Poverty Reduction
Total Budget: US$ 726, 245 (Government/MoSAL ($80, 000), UNDP TRAC ($206,245), UNFPA ($40, 000) )
Duration: June 2007 – June 2011 (initial 18 months extended)
Status: Ongoing
Location: Syrian Arab Republic

Description / Overview:

The project aims to assist the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MOSAL) in the Syrian Arab Republic in establishing a national social aid fund (NSAF). Available statistics based on the 2004 “Income and Expenditure Survey”, indicate that a little over one tenth of the population (11.4 percent) lives below the lower poverty line, and can not cover their basic food and non food needs. This group of the population may be classified in two categories: (a) the vulnerable ultra poor not able to work (b) the ultra poor able to work if they are offered suitable assistance. The project intends to put in place a proper mechanism to target the first category of the population, and to provide them with cash assistance.

While reviewing the mechanism of establishing the NSAF, two main issues of discussions arose: (a) lifting across the board the present system of subsidy for the total population, estimated at 14 percent of GDP in 2004, and (b) securing a safety net mechanism for the ultra poor. Despite the fact that there is yet to be a clear policy and proper mechanism to lift the subsidy, the recommendation to establish a NSAF is recommended in the 10th Five Year Plan (FYP) which is to be implemented by MOSAL. Indeed, MOSAL allocated the sum of SL 4 million (80 000 US $) in 2007, to carry out studies in connection with the Fund, and contacted the World Bank to conduct a study for targeting the ultra poor

Cross Cutting Themes:

The project is undertaking a social survey to specify the inclusion and exclusion lines for the fund targeted ultra poor, however, special cases that might not fall within the fund mandate were given exceptions keeping in mind their vulnerability and special needs, like disabled, female headed households and families of prisoners.

Objectives:

The project supports the Government in establishing a national cash transfer program, The National Social Aid Fund, to provide assistance for Syrians living below the poverty line. The program uses a state-of-the-art Proxy Means Targeting system based on previous UNDP supported data and tools. In addition to poverty alleviation, the program supports Government aims to better target social protection currently provided mainly via costly universal price subsidies, and to facilitate reform.

Target Beneficiaries:

  • MoSAL
  • Syrians living below the poverty line (selection of poverty line a Government policy decision)

Implementation Strategy:

The project proposes to proceed in three phases:
  • finalizing a target policy where vulnerable ultra poor will be identified within their respective households
  • establishing the NSAF under the auspices of MOSAL, and finalizing its managerial aspects, policy and mechanism, and
  • enhancing the capacity of all actors involved in targeting the VUP and establishing the NSAF.

Achievements / Current Status:


Up to 2008:
  • PMT system designed
  • IT system and infrastructure drafted
  • Fund by-laws and financial system being designed
  • Trainers trained among social workers to ensure capacity to aid citizens during the application process
  • Pilot area selected and prepared for testing the system
  • Targeting tools and mechanisms finalized
  • Database established and data entered
  • Bylaws and operational guidelines finalized 
As of February 2010:
  • Desk checking process and crosschecking launched for the data collected,

Partnerships:
  • MoSAL
  • UNFPA

Project Documents Link:
TL Rima al-Hassani, PO Mohamed Battah
UNDP Project Management: Social Development Team
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Last update of project information: February 2010