PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) — Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons says the Government will accelerate the implementation of several social measures to mitigate the economic effects of the war in the Middle East.

In a broadcast, the head of state emphasised that international tensions have a direct impact on Suriname’s economy and that additional support will therefore be provided to vulnerable groups and workers.

According to Geerlings-Simons, the conflict in the Middle East is having global economic effects that are also being felt in Suriname and warned that the impact could increase if the conflict continues for a longer period.

“The war in the Middle East has global economic consequences. The longer the conflict continues, the greater the impact will be. We hope and pray for a swift end, both for the people directly affected and for the effects it has on our country,” she told the nation.

“Our population is already operating under difficult circumstances. That is why the Government has decided to accelerate previously announced measures,” she said, noting that the increased amounts will now be fully granted by the end of March.

She said that the population is already functioning in difficult circumstances and that is why the Government has decided to accelerate the implementation of previously announced measures.

“To this end, we have held further consultations with the Ministry of Finance and also took into account the impact of the effects on the Government’s revenue side. Child benefit will be increased to SRD 250 as of the end of March, for both general child benefit and child benefit for civil servants.

“People with disabilities, disability benefits recipients, and registered socially disadvantaged households will receive a supplementary allowance of SRD 1,000. Civil servants and government employees will receive a purchasing power boost of SRD 1,500 as of the end of March,” she said.

In addition, teachers will receive a support allowance of SRD 2,500 as of the end of March.

Greelings-Simons said that these amounts were originally intended to be paid out in instalments, but will now be made fully available at the end of March in order to provide faster relief to the population.