Dr. Hamad Discusses Strengthening Cooperation & Supporting Humanitarian & Development Efforts
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, received H.E. Sun Chen, the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the State of Palestine, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand partnerships in projects and programmes that support the Palestinian Government's efforts and address the needs of citizens in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Dr. Hamad welcomed the Chinese Ambassador on the occasion of assuming his new duties in the State of Palestine and wished him success in his mission. She emphasized the deep-rooted historical and close relations between Palestine and the People's Republic of China, as well as the longstanding relationship between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and China. She highlighted China's consistent support for the Palestinian people and their rights over the years, alongside its continued cooperation and assistance to the State of Palestine.
Dr. Hamad expressed her appreciation for the Chinese President's initiative to provide USD 100 million in support for the Gaza Strip, stressing the importance of coordination and cooperation with the Palestinian Government to direct this assistance towards urgent humanitarian needs, particularly as winter approaches. She highlighted the need to provide shelter materials, tents, winter clothing, and other essential supplies to affected and displaced families.
Dr. Hamad affirmed that the Palestinian Government, through the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of State for Relief Affairs, and its various institutions, continues to provide services and assistance to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip despite the difficult humanitarian conditions. She stressed the importance of channelling support through the Palestinian Government and coordinating efforts with it to ensure that assistance responds to the actual needs of citizens.
She also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with the People's Republic of China in implementing and supporting humanitarian and development projects and programmes, and expanding areas of partnership to support the Ministry's work and services. She highlighted the importance of continued Chinese support for the State of Palestine and of enabling Palestinian institutions to fulfil their responsibilities and continue serving citizens.
Dr. Hamad further stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian Government's efforts in the West Bank, in light of the difficult conditions facing citizens as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks and violations, including settler attacks, and the resulting increase in humanitarian and social needs.
For his part, Ambassador Sun Chen reaffirmed the strong relations between the People's Republic of China and the State of Palestine, as well as his country's continued support for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Government. He emphasized China's commitment to maintaining its assistance and strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including humanitarian and development projects and programmes, to serve citizens and further enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
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On the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage, MoSD Affirms: Protecting Girls Begins with Education, Protection, & Family Empowerment
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On World Children's Day, MoSD: Palestinian Children Face Harsh Realities of Loss, Displacement, Violence, & Deprivation
Ramallah – On the occasion of World Children's Day, observed annually on 20 November, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that Palestinian children are facing extremely harsh conditions amid the continuing consequences of the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and escalating attacks, displacement, home demolitions, and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These conditions have deprived children of their lives, families, shelter, education, care, and safety. According to available United Nations data, at least 21,700 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip, while approximately 45,000 have been injured, including more than 11,000 children who have sustained life-altering injuries. Meanwhile, thousands of families continue to experience repeated displacement and deprivation of essential services. In the West Bank, including Jerusalem, children continue to face attacks, forced displacement of families, and damage to schools, homes, and infrastructure. More than 1,700 children have been displaced since the beginning of 2026 as a result of settler violence, movement restrictions, and demolitions. The Ministry stressed that the consequences of war and occupation extend beyond immediate casualties to include bereavement, family separation, hunger, school dropout, child labour, violence, exploitation, acquired disabilities, and psychological and social distress. These risks require a comprehensive and long-term child protection response. The Ministry explained that child protection is a central pillar of its work, implemented through Child Protection Departments in its directorates. These departments receive reports, assess levels of risk, provide case management and family follow-up, facilitate referrals to specialized services, and intervene in cases of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Their responsibilities also include protecting children engaged in labour or begging, children who have dropped out of school, and children in conflict with the law, in coordination with relevant government authorities and partner organizations. In the Gaza Strip, children's protection and care needs have intensified significantly, particularly among orphans, children deprived of parental care, separated and unaccompanied children, and those requiring psychosocial support. In cooperation with its partners, the Ministry is working to provide alternative care, social follow-up, sponsorship programmes, psychological support, and food, health, and in-kind assistance, while strengthening and restoring child protection services across the Gaza Strip. The Ministry emphasized that protecting children is inseparable from protecting their families. Accordingly, child protection services form part of a broader social protection system encompassing food, cash, and non-food assistance, health insurance, education, school bags and stationery, psychosocial support, services for persons with disabilities, and family economic empowerment. These interventions aim to reduce the risks associated with poverty, displacement, loss of income, and family instability. The Ministry of Social Development called on the international community, United Nations agencies, humanitarian organizations, and donors to provide sustainable support for the Palestinian child protection system. It urged continued funding for alternative care programmes, orphan sponsorship, psychosocial support, education, nutrition, and rehabilitation, alongside support for Palestinian national institutions capable of reaching children and families and ensuring sustained follow-up. The Ministry concluded by emphasizing that World Children's Day cannot be merely an occasion for celebration while Palestinian children are deprived of their most fundamental rights. It stressed that protecting children begins with safeguarding their right to life and extends to ensuring their rights to family care, shelter, food, education, healthcare, protection, and social support.
