Jordan Times
Monday, March 16, 1998
Absolute poverty has risen to 26% — Mamser
AMMAN (Petra) —Minister of Social Development Mohammad Kheir
Mamser on Sunday said that by the end of 1997, the rate of
absolute poverty in Jordan had risen to 26 per cent and 45 per
cent of families earned an average of JD150 a month.
At the same time, the number of street children rose
dramatically, while the rate of unemployment among the poor was
estimated at 34.2 per cent.
The minister made his remarks at the opening session of a
national conference on social work which was opened by HRH
Princess Basma on behalf of His Majesty King Hussein.
Dr. Mamser reviewed developments in social work in Jordan,
pointing out that the country has been facing growing challenges
since the early 1990s resulting from the return of expatriates
fleeing the Gulf war and societal changes.
Dr. Mamser said it is the duty of decision-makers, planners, and
voluntary organisations to work out a comprehensive national
strategy for social work that can eliminate poverty and other
social ills.
In his address, Abdullah Khatib, executive president of the
General Union of Voluntary Societies (GUVS), noted that the union
has provided assistance to 750 societies in Jordan and invested
JD15 million in productive projects for their benefit.
Also attending the meeting were HRH Prince Ra'd Ben Zeid, HRH
Prince Firas, the king's health secretary, Acting Prime Minister
Abdullah Ensour, and several senators and deputies.