MoSD Discusses Strengthening Cooperation and Supporting the Most Vulnerable Groups with Artas and Qibya Municipalities
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, held two separate meetings today with delegations from the municipalities of Artas and Qibya to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and coordination with local authorities and develop social interventions and programmes targeting citizens, particularly youth, persons with disabilities, and the most vulnerable groups.
The two meetings were held at the Ministry’s headquarters in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection Akram Al-Hafi, along with staff from the Ministry and the two municipalities.
During her meeting with the Artas Municipality delegation, Dr. Hamad discussed the town’s needs and challenges, as well as programmes and projects that could be developed in cooperation with the Ministry to strengthen citizens’ resilience and expand opportunities for youth and persons with disabilities to participate and achieve economic and social empowerment.
During the meeting, Ahmad, a student with a disability, was presented with an electric wheelchair upon the directives of the Prime Minister. Dr. Hamad learned about his future aspirations and his desire to continue his education in electronic device maintenance or programming. She affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to follow up on his case and support him in the future in accessing economic empowerment and employment opportunities, including the possibility of providing him with an income-generating project after completing his education. She also stressed the importance of improving the specifications of assistive devices and working with partners and donors to provide maintenance programmes that ensure persons with disabilities can benefit from these devices sustainably.
The meeting also addressed the situation of persons with disabilities and ways to strengthen their inclusion and empowerment, highlighting the experience of Amin Sanad and his active role in community and municipal work. Dr. Hamad affirmed ongoing efforts to develop legislation related to the rights of persons with disabilities and enhance the accessibility of public facilities, while also emphasizing the 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities.
The Artas Municipality delegation presented the town’s key needs and development projects, including road rehabilitation, the establishment of a health clinic, and addressing water-related problems, as well as the challenges facing citizens as a result of the practices of the occupation and settlers, particularly in the Jabal Abu Zeid area and around Solomon’s Pools. Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Ministry and the municipality and developing social and development programmes that support citizens’ resilience and respond to their needs.
In a separate meeting with the Mayor of Qibya, Dr. Hamad discussed the town’s needs and ways to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry and the municipality in the social sector, as well as developing coordination mechanisms to help deliver services and interventions to the most vulnerable groups and strengthen the role of local authorities as partners in the social protection system.
During both meetings, Dr. Hamad emphasized the importance of integration between the Ministry and local authorities, given their proximity to citizens and their needs, and of building on partnerships with them to identify priorities and direct interventions and services more efficiently, thereby strengthening social protection and supporting citizens’ resilience.
For their part, representatives of Artas and Qibya municipalities stressed the importance of maintaining coordination with the Ministry and developing areas of cooperation in ways that improve the services provided to citizens. Ahmad’s family expressed its appreciation for the attention, follow-up, and provision of the electric wheelchair, and for the support this provides for his independence and continuation of his education.