MoSD & WFP Discuss Strengthening Food Assistance During Field Visit in Ramallah
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad, accompanied by Mr. Carl Skau, Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), conducted a field visit in Ramallah on Saturday. The visit included a stop at one of the retailers contracted by WFP under its food voucher programme, to assess the situation of beneficiary families and review assistance delivery mechanisms amid growing humanitarian needs and declining funding for food assistance programmes.
During the visit, Dr. Hamad and Mr. Skau listened to testimonies from beneficiary families about their living conditions, the challenges they face in securing basic necessities, and the impact of the suspension of some food assistance on their daily lives. Particular attention was given to families caring for children and persons with disabilities, as well as Bedouin communities affected by settler attacks, displacement, and the loss of their livelihoods.
Dr. Hamad and the accompanying delegation also reviewed the food voucher redemption mechanism through WFP-contracted retailers, which enables beneficiary families to obtain essential food items from approved stores. This mechanism forms part of the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the Ministry and WFP to ensure that assistance reaches the families most in need.
On the sidelines of the visit, Dr. Hamad held a meeting with Mr. Skau to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and coordination, as well as the need to intensify resource mobilization efforts to secure adequate funding to meet growing humanitarian needs amid persistent resource shortages. Discussions also addressed strengthening early recovery efforts, improving coordination mechanisms with partners, and enhancing information and data sharing to increase the efficiency of the humanitarian response and expand assistance coverage.
Dr. Hamad emphasized that economic and social conditions in the West Bank are facing increasingly severe challenges due to the continued occupation, settler attacks, and restrictions on movement and employment. These challenges are compounded by the serious financial crisis facing the Palestinian Government as a result of Israel's continued withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues.
She stressed that the Ministry continues to make every possible effort, in partnership with international and humanitarian organizations, to ensure the continuity of social protection, social assistance, and food assistance programmes, while alleviating the financial and living pressures faced by the most vulnerable Palestinian families.
Dr. Hamad also expressed her anticipation of a visit by the newly appointed WFP representative in the State of Palestine following their assumption of duties in the near future. She emphasized the importance of such a visit in continuing dialogue and coordination on humanitarian response priorities, gaining first-hand insight into existing challenges, and strengthening the partnership between the Ministry and WFP.
Dr. Hamad concluded by stressing the importance of maintaining the partnership with the World Food Programme and mobilizing additional resources to ensure the sustainability of food assistance. She affirmed that listening directly to affected families is an important step towards communicating their needs to the international community and directing humanitarian interventions in line with their actual priorities.