The Department of State has a duty to build alliances with social partners, volunteers and local authorities to ensure that no one is left alone and everyone receives the social care services they need, Secretary of State for Social Welfare Anastasia Anthoussi said in a speech at a Paphos Municipality event during which its annual sponsorship was given to organisations and associations in the city that contribute to society.
In her speech, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Ms. Anastasia Anthousi developed the theme "No One Alone: The Role of Local Government and Social Partners in Ensuring Social Welfare". Taking over the portfolio of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, Ms Anthousi said that she placed high on her priorities to find ways and define procedures to facilitate access to quality welfare and care services for our fellow citizens.
Our role as a Deputy Ministry is twofold, she said, "on the one hand, we have a duty and responsibility, as the State Authority responsible for welfare issues, to reach out to every citizen, identify our socially vulnerable fellow citizens and offer support where and when there is a need." and on the other hand, he added, "to ensure that no one is left alone, and everyone receives the social care services they need, we have an obligation to build alliances with social partners, organized volunteer groups, and local government authorities."
Ms Anthousi said that in wanting to thank Local Government Authorities and organised voluntary groups for their actions, through the Minor State Aid Scheme, the Government is actively supporting these programmes and encouraging the development of new ones.
As an indication, for 2021 a grant of €12,811,626 was granted and for 2022, an allocation of almost €15 million was included in the Budget for financial support for social care programmes implemented nationwide. As regards the Paphos Municipality Multipurpose Social Care Centre, a total grant of sixty-two thousand euros was granted (€33,000 initial grant and €29000 additional grant after the appeal).
In addition, the Mayor of Pafos, Mr. Faidonas Faidonos, in his address, stated, among other things, that the Local Government is the direct recipient of social problems and by strengthening these institutions, the Municipality of Pafos supports the services that contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of citizens and the relief of vulnerable groups of the population. We are trying, he said, "with the data we have in front of us with the meagre amounts available to the Municipality because the Municipality has no resources to pursue a social policy to support these families". We are here, he said, for these few who need to see how we support them.
Finally in his address the chairman of the Social Welfare Committee of the Paphos Municipality, George Sofokleous, appealed to the citizens to have no qualms and bring to the attention of the Municipality all those cases of our fellow citizens, who are suffering, especially these festive days, since, as he said, it is easy to understand that it is not difficult to escape the attention of the Municipal Service, cases of our fellow citizens who face a problem of survival.
The event also included an artistic programme with the participation of the Choir of the Adult Centres, the "Akamas" Association and children of the Pafos Municipality's Multipurpose Social Care Centre. This was followed by a reception with delicacies prepared by the students of MIEEK - Post-secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training.
Source: CBC
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
