Africa-Press – Mauritius. In the context of a technical assistance provided by France to Mauritius, a set of nine reports containing recommendations on different aspects of social protection for Mauritius, were handed over yesterday by the Director of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Mrs Laëtitia Habchi, to the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, during a ceremony held at Renganaden Seeneevassen Building, in Port-Louis.
The reports have been elaborated following almost two years of evaluation carried out by Expertise France. The technical assistance is part of an agreement signed between Mauritius and AFD, in 2020, which includes technical assistance for the review and improvement of the social security system of Mauritius, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo underlined that these reports come at the most opportune time as the pandemic has caused unprecedented global upheaval, shaking the foundation of the social order.
Government, she emphasised, has as priority to build a fairer Mauritius and strengthen its social dimensions and the reports will help to build the resilience of vulnerable households.
“It is by going from the bottom to the top, by planning our actions, by coordinating our efforts that we will improve the social base, to the benefit of the most vulnerable’’, she said.
The Minister expressed gratitude to France for its support in strengthening the country’s social protection base as well as to the AFD and all stakeholders in finalising the reports. The collaboration, she underlined, is a sign of the deep friendship that unites the two countries.
For her part, Mrs Habchi indicated that Mauritius has benefitted from a loan of 300 million euros for the COVID-19 response, complemented by 900 000 euros for social protection issues. The loan, she said, has contributed to the economic and social recovery and resilience of Mauritius, following the pandemic.
This agreement, she pointed out, is a strong gesture of commitment by France to support its Mauritian partner, as part of a far-reaching and very rich cooperation between the two countries since 1975. The Director of AFD reiterated the support of the AFD to Mauritius on issues of universal social protection.
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