Ministry of Planning Monitors "Dar Wassalama" Project under "Decent Life" in Sohag

A delegation from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development conducted a field visit to Sohag Governorate to monitor the implementation of the "Dar Wassalama" project, launched by the Ministry of Planning in collaboration with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Ain Shams University. The project aims to implement a series of development interventions in Ouled Yahia Bahri in the Dar Al Salam district, as part of the national project for the development of the Egyptian countryside "Decent Life".

Dr. Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, emphasized that Egypt's Vision 2030, in its updated version, focuses on achieving six strategic objectives, including "Governance and Partnerships", through engaging all stakeholders in the development process, especially civil society organizations and academic institutions with extensive experience in rural community development. This contributes to enhancing the quality of services provided to citizens in rural areas, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Jameel Helmi, Assistant Minister for Sustainable Development Plan Monitoring Affairs, stated that since the launch of the "Dar Wassalama" project in October 2023, there has been continuous cooperation and coordination with Ain Shams University and the Sawiris Foundation to monitor the project's execution status. The project aims to replace and develop 200 homes for first-care families by the end of 2024, at a cost of approximately EGP 53 million.

Additionally, 500 household water connections will be provided, along with servicing 50 households with solar water heaters. Furthermore, 16 medical convoys will be organized, emphasizing that the project provides daily job opportunities for villagers.

Decent Life

The ministry delegation commenced their visit with an extensive meeting with Major General Tarek El Fiqi, Governor of Sohag, in the presence of Ahmed El Qadi, Deputy Governor, Sherif Abu Sahli, "Decent Life" coordinator in the governorate, Dr. Gehan Ragab, Advisor to the Vice President of Ain Shams University, Tarek Amer, Director of Environmental Projects at the University, Nahed Yousry, Director of the Social Empowerment Sector, and Ali Abdel Mohsen, Director of Programs at the Social Empowerment Sector of the Sawiris Foundation, and Mohamed Gamal, representative of "Life Makers Foundation".

During the meeting, Major General Tarek El Fiqi praised the continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Planning to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development in Sohag Governorate, whether through initiatives implemented within the "Decent Life" project or through the large investments being implemented in various sectors, especially integrated infrastructure and health services.

Dar Wassalama

He emphasized harnessing all the governorate's resources to expedite the implementation of the "Dar Wassalama" project, and to complete all necessary permits for the demolition of targeted houses for development as soon as possible, and to connect all facilities after completion of implementation.

The Ministry of Planning delegation, comprising Mohamed Shareef El Halay and Ahmed Reda El Qassas, coordinators of the "Decent Life" initiative, witnessed the launch of the medical convoy, with the participation of 25 doctors from Ain Shams University, at the integration hospital in Ouled Yahia Bahri village, to serve the residents of villages (Nagu Mazen, Mazata Sharq, Ouled El Sheikh).

Neurology Clinic

The clinic, which lasted for two days, benefited 1500 citizens in 13 medical specialties (cardiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, nephrology, chest, orthopedics, neurology, dentistry, speech therapy), in addition to referring 60 cases for treatment in government hospitals.

Literacy tests were conducted for about 60 people, as well as children's carnival activities and entertainment shows, and seminars for environmental, social, and health awareness, with the villagers expressing their satisfaction with the quality and speed of the medical services provided. The ministry delegation also inspected the homes of first-care families currently being developed.

Water Station

A meeting was held with the residents and community leaders, attended by Mohamed El Sayed, head of Dar Al Salam center and city, where the citizens expressed their appreciation for the tangible progress in providing basic services to their village, considering "Decent Life" projects as an unprecedented "development leap".

Visits were made to several projects under implementation within "Decent Life", including a sewage treatment plant in Dar Al Salam with a capacity of 90,000 cubic meters per day to serve 14 villages, aiming to cover the entire center with sustainable sewage services, benefiting 450,000 citizens, with an achievement rate of 70%, and a water station in Ouled Yahia Bahri and the construction of an artesian well with an achievement rate of 50%.

Technological Center

As well as "Decent Housing" buildings comprising 240 housing units, with an achievement rate of 98%, and the installation of fiber optic networks, with an achievement rate of 55%, in addition to visiting several completed projects, including the Family and Child Development Center, Ouled Yahia Ambulance Unit, 6 youth centers, the agricultural services center, and the government services complex (technological center), and 3 irrigation bridges.