Community needs’ meeting and the quality of living improvement are the most noticeable roles of social development committees in the wilayats
Omani women associations are a partner in needy families’ supporting and empowering
Purposeful initiatives for volunteer teams that enhance social unity
Social development committees in Muscat Governorate form the cornerstone of effective partnership’s promotion between the public sector and the local community. These committees - which are established by decision of the Social Development Minister and headed by the wali - play an essential role in development initiatives’ implementation. It is via programs that aimed to achieve noticeable improvement in the families’ conditions and their livelihoods in the economic, social and cultural fields according to each wilayats’ needs. In this report, we review the social development committees’ specializations and their effective roles in society, additionally, their achievements in community service.
Legislation and Regulation
His Excellency Ali Al-Saidi, Muscat Wali and the Social Committee Chairman in Muscat wilayat, explained that the Ministry of Social Development issued a regulation regulating these committees’ work. The first regulations were issued in 2016, and then some amendments were made to them in 2024. This regulation aims to decide the committees’ tasks, the terms and period of membership, and members’ selection. It also organizes the volunteer teams’ work in each wilayat.
The Social Development Committee includes representatives of various governmental and community organizations. They include managers of the Social Development Department or the Partnership and Community Development Department. Also, representatives of the several ministries including the Ministry of Education, The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, and Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs. As well as, representatives of the municipality, the heads of Omani Women Association, the sports club and the volunteer team, and four society’s representatives. Committee membership requires that the member have Omani nationality, a wilayat resident, and no less than 25 years old, having a good standing and reputation, not a member of any other committees or councils, has an acceptable cultural level, and is one of those who have social initiatives and are interested in volunteer work.
The Wali referred that the importance of the Social Development Committee role is in community partnership promotion. In addition, contributing to achieve sustainable social development through initiatives and programs that aimed to meet the society needs and the quality of life improvement.
Specializations and Roles
The main specializations of these committees include -in accordance with the regulations for social development committees and volunteer teams’ work issued by Ministerial Resolution No.(217/2024)- suggesting social projects that serve the wilayat, volunteer work support and organization, and forming the managers’ council of the volunteer team in coordination with the Ministry. The committee also aims to improve the standard of living of individuals and families through cooperation with there levant bodies. The committee`s most noticeable tasks is to encourage income-generating projects for people with limited income and people with disabilities, study and treatment negative social occurrences, and promote Omani values ??and identity. The committee is responsible for requests’ consideration to establish public councils, support community cooperation to establish social centers and private councils’ buildings, and contribute to reduce the emergencies’ effects.
Social Cohesion
Social development committees pursue to increase the citizen`s standard of living and enhance social cohesion. Its most noticeable roles is financial assistance offer, such as paying housing rent, electricity and water bills, and health care. It is done by paying the costs of housemaids` recruitment to the neediest groups in society. The committee works to provide the necessary electrical devices to the neediest families. These committees provide the necessary support to those affected by exceptional climate events.
In terms of social cohesion promotion, the committee is responsible for requests` consideration to public councils` establishment. Emphasizing these councils` importance to stabilize good Omani values and customs. The Social Development Committees also support programs to control alien epidemics to Omani society. For example, narcotics and psychotropic substances. Holding competitions and awareness campaigns to limit its spread, in partnership with various specialized bodies. These programs and campaigns provide necessary help to families, also support for people with special needs. These committees` importance is highlighted as an entity pursues to positive change in our societies and advance the social, economic and humanitarian situation of citizens.
Requests` Sorting
The wali explained that the cases` acceptance that are received by these committees. The committee receives applications from poor people and studies them from multiple sides to ensure their help eligibility. Then, the aid is disbursed based on the committee`s approval or the volunteer team management, according to the bills and documents attached to the applications. To ensure transparency and accountability, all expenses paid to beneficiaries are accurately recorded in the committee or volunteer team`s expense register.
Outcomes and Achievements
Confirming the cooperation spirit between the Social Development Committee and Seeb Volunteer Team. The Seeb Volunteer Team announced its achievements` harvest in2023. Majida Bint Sheikhan Al-Maamri, the team`s head, confirmed that the team launched 20 campaigns and initiatives, which resulted in more than 3,500 hours of volunteer work.
Al-Maamari revealed that the team offered its support to many needy families through the Yusr(Simplifying) or Grief End initiative.126 cases benefited with a total amount of 150,450,200 Omani riyals. 40 families were also supported in the “Productive Home” project. 554 families benefited from the charity and solidarity system.
On the other hand, the team distributed 22,068 cartons within the Fasting Iftar project, and 6,465 cartons with the Watering Project. Additionally, offering114,598 meals to needy families. Support also included 430 orphans and 38families via humanitarian sponsorship projects.
Omani Women Associations
Omani women associations play a noticeable role to support the programs and projects of the social development committees in Muscat Governorate. These associations are an integral part of the society, and have tangible contributions in charitable projects` implementation in cooperation with various governmental and private bodies.
Regarding the women associations` role in social development projects` support, Thuriya Al-Ameri, the association`s head in Quriyat, explained: "There is close coordination and cooperation between the Social Development Committee and Omani Women Association”.
Regarding the charitable and volunteer activities and initiatives` organization, Al-Ameri reported that coordination occurs via wali office. Periodic meetings are held in the presence of representatives of various concerned bodies to discuss relevant issues. Regarding the most noticeable volunteer projects implemented in 2024 in partnership with the Social Development Committee in Quriyat. Al-Amri referred to a joined rehabilitation project that is implemented in Al-Tuwaina village in Jabal Aswad in Quriyat. The project included health and educational lectures, training courses in sewing and cooking, additionally, an entertainment day’s organization for village children. Regarding the future vision, Al-Ameri confirmed that women associations keep development aims in mind within their annual workplans, focusing primarily on families’ rehabilitation.
In a related context, Al Amri presented several proposals to enhance cooperation between Omani women associations and social development committees, including the association informing of plans related to families, charitable and volunteer work. Emphasizing the importance of touchable and intangible support for associations to enable them to implement cohesive development projects that serve Omani community.
Challenges
Under the regulations the work of socialdevelopment committees and volunteer teams’ organization, committees andvolunteer teams have the obtaining finance’s possibility from several sources.They include financial and in-kind contributions from government agencies,companies, associations, charitable institutions and community members. However, volunteer committees and teams are notallowed to accept any funding or contributions from abroad. However, these committees face a financialresources’ lack, which is accompanied by an increase in the number of poverty’scases. Social development committees also face difficulty in obtainingsufficient funding to implement their programs and projects.
By the current conditions, it becomes necessary to adopt innovative andsustainable strategies to face the financial resources’ lack. To providesupport to needy families and individuals, while emphasizing the importance ofcommunity support’s enhancement and cooperation with government and privateagencies to ensure the programs’ continuance that serve the neediest groups.