MoSD Discusses Institutionalizing a Support Services Network for Persons with Disabilities with Stars of Hope and the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, met today with Stars of Hope Society, the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation (Enabel), and a number of organizations working in the disability sector to discuss ways to activate and institutionalize a network of support services for persons with disabilities. The network aims to strengthen their access to protection, justice, and health services and ensure the accommodations and facilitation needed for communication and access to services on an equal basis with others.
The meeting was held as part of an initiative proposed by Stars of Hope Society to address the challenges and gaps faced by persons with disabilities in accessing services. The initiative is based on a policy paper and a proposed protocol to regulate the work of a network of support service providers and define mechanisms for coordination, referral, communication, and case follow-up among the relevant entities.
The meeting discussed mechanisms for organizing the network and linking support service providers with institutions and entities that work with persons with disabilities. These services include sign language interpreters, communication facilitators for persons with intellectual disabilities, and mobility facilitators, in addition to utilizing the developed electronic application to facilitate access to these services, particularly in cases involving protection, violence, emergencies, and situations requiring rapid and specialized intervention.
Dr. Hamad stressed the importance of transitioning the network from a project-based framework into a sustainable institutional system and linking its services to the Ministry of Social Development’s case management system, through clear referral and follow-up mechanisms and clearly defined responsibilities. This would ensure continuity of services beyond a specific timeframe or the funding period of a particular project.
The meeting also discussed the proposed structure of the network, the formation of a steering committee, and mechanisms for membership and coordination among participating entities. Participants also emphasized the importance of engaging relevant government institutions and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each entity, with the aim of establishing an institutional and legal framework that regulates the network and strengthens its sustainability.
Participants stressed the importance of organizing support service providers within accredited institutions and associations to ensure professionalism, accountability, and the protection of beneficiaries, while adhering to privacy, confidentiality, and information security requirements when handling cases or exchanging data among relevant entities.
The meeting also addressed the costs associated with service provision and mechanisms for ensuring the network’s financial sustainability after the current funding ends. Participants emphasized the need to clearly estimate needs and annual costs to help develop a sustainable framework for maintaining these services and expanding their scope in the future.
The meeting was attended from the Ministry of Social Development by Akram Al-Hafi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection; Amin Assi, Director General of Planning; Hiba Jebat, Head of the Women and Gender Unit; and Ajaj Al-Jariri, Director General of the General Directorate for Persons with Disabilities, alongside other Ministry staff. Representatives also attended from Stars of Hope Society; Aswat Society for Supporting Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation; the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation (Enabel); and the General Union of Persons with Disabilities – Ramallah Branch.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministry emphasized the importance of completing work on the proposed protocol and the necessary steps to institutionalize the network, in a manner that strengthens integration among government institutions, civil society organizations, and partners and ensures that persons with disabilities can access support services in a more organized, effective, and sustainable manner.