Title: Iran’s Yasna Support Plan Expands, Delivering Enhanced Nutritional Aid to 260,000 Children
In a significant expansion of its social welfare programs, the Iranian Ministry of Welfare has announced the rollout of the “Yasna” support plan, allocating a monthly nutritional subsidy of 1.3 million Tomans for hundreds of thousands of children from eligible families.
A Growing National Initiative
Ms. Zahra Ghayoumi, Director General of the Support and Empowerment Office at the Ministry of Welfare, confirmed that starting at the beginning of the current Iranian month of Azar, 260,000 children will receive the dedicated monthly subsidy. The aid is specifically designated to combat child malnutrition and is distributed through the electronic coupon (Kalaberg) system.
This initiative, which first launched in the Iranian year 1402, has seen consistent growth in both its scope and the value of its benefits. The program strategically targets households already within the ministry’s support network, focusing on those in income deciles one through seven.
Phased Expansion and Increased Benefits
Detailing the plan’s evolution, Director Ghayoumi outlined a clear trajectory of expansion. In its initial phase, 136,000 children across 131,000 households received support. The aid package at the time consisted of 16 essential food items, with cash equivalents of 1 million Tomans for deciles 1-5 and 600,000 Tomans for deciles 6 and 7.
The following year saw the number of supported children rise to 134,000 across 130,000 families. Concurrently, the subsidy amounts were increased to 1.1 million and 660,000 Tomans, respectively.
Substantial Growth in 2024 Coverage
The current year marks a major milestone for the Yasna plan. Officials report a 100 percent increase in the number of children covered under this specific nutritional program. Furthermore, the monetary value of the subsidy has been raised by 20 percent, bringing the total to 1.3 million Tomans per child. This enhanced funding is intended to further strengthen food security and improve the nutritional health of the nation’s youth.
The integration of this aid into the existing electronic coupon platform is designed to streamline the process, ensuring that eligible families can efficiently access their allocated support for essential food items.