Minister of Social Development Participates in the International Family Conference in Doha and Discusses Support for Palestinian Families
Doha, Qatar – In an initiative that reflects human and national spirit, Her Excellency Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad, participated in the opening of the International Conference on Family and Contemporary Major Trends, held in Doha from October 29 to 31. The conference attracts a distinguished group of international personalities and leaders to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing families in the context of modern transformations. During her participation in the panel discussion on family policies in the Arab world, comparing them with best practices globally, the Minister addressed the humanitarian challenges faced by Palestinian families under Israeli occupation. Dr. Hamad confirmed that Palestinian families are enduring daily hardships that threaten their very existence, pointing out the ongoing aggression on Gaza and its consequences, including the displacement of thousands of Palestinians and the martyrdom of over 42,000 individuals. This worsens the humanitarian crises and tears apart the social fabric. She also highlighted the shortage of basic necessities, including clean water and hygiene materials, which has forced some women to shave their heads due to the lack of sufficient water for bathing.
Dr. Hamad added that despite the difficult circumstances, Palestinian families prove their resilience and cohesion, citing achievements in education and healthcare. She mentioned that Palestine has successfully eradicated polio and provided e-learning to over 300,000 students despite the ongoing war. She praised the use of technology in delivering life-saving services and education to Palestinian children, despite the challenges imposed by the blockade.
In the context of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Palestine and Qatar, Her Excellency held several important meetings. She met with Her Excellency Minister of Social Development and Family Affairs of Qatar, Dr. Mariam Al-Misnad, thanking her for Qatar’s support of Palestine’s just cause and explaining the continuous aggression inflicted on the Palestinian people and the catastrophic impact it has, especially in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister also met with Her Excellency Minister of Family and Social Services of Turkey, Mrs. Mahinur Özdemir, and held meetings with representatives from the Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Charity, and Qatar Development Fund to discuss ways to enhance humanitarian and social support for the resilience of Palestinian families and provide necessary care for the wounded and injured.
Her Excellency also visited Al Thumama Complex, accompanied by the Ambassador of Palestine in Qatar, Fayyad Abu Raba, and Adviser Khaloud Al-Lahham. She met with several Palestinian wounded individuals who had been transferred to Qatar for treatment and was briefed on the services and programs provided for their care and the care of their companions. Officials from the housing department presented an overview of the efforts made to support the recovery of the injured and restore hope to them through specialized programs. This visit embodied the deep solidarity between the two sister countries and their commitment to providing assistance and support to those in need.
Latest News
MoSD Receives Food Parcels to Support Displaced and Threatened Families in Jericho Governorate
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the resilience of displaced, uprooted, and settler-violence-affected families, the Directorate of Social Development in Jericho and the Jordan Valley distributed 178 food parcels provided by the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) to displaced and affected families in targeted communities across the governorate. The total value of the assistance amounted to NIS 44,500, as part of the humanitarian and relief interventions implemented by the Ministry in partnership with supporting organizations, aimed at alleviating the suffering of the most affected families and enhancing their resilience amid the difficult conditions they face. This intervention comes following a series of communications and coordination efforts between the Ministry of Social Development and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund to implement relief interventions targeting displaced, uprooted, and settler-violence-affected families in Jericho and the Jordan Valley. The Ministry affirmed that the Directorate of Social Development in Jericho continues to monitor the conditions of displaced families and provide the necessary humanitarian and social interventions based on identified needs. The Directorate is also working on developing a comprehensive database for displaced families in the governorate, in coordination with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), to support unified efforts and strengthen the humanitarian response. The Ministry stressed the importance of partnership with local and international organizations in supporting the most vulnerable groups and providing essential needs for affected families, in a way that enhances the resilience of citizens in targeted communities.
MoSD and UNICEF Discuss Strengthening Humanitarian Response and Social Protection in Gaza
The Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Samah Hamad, received today a delegation from UNICEF headed by the organization’s Representative in Palestine, Jonathan Veitch, to discuss ways to strengthen joint cooperation in the fields of social protection and support for affected children and families, particularly in the Gaza Strip, in addition to reviewing a number of shared humanitarian and development programs and projects. Representing the ministry at the meeting were the Minister’s Advisor, Doaa Wadi; the Advisor to the Ministry of State for Relief Affairs, Mahdi Hamdan; the Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection, Akram Al-Hafi; and the Director General of Childhood Affairs, Mohammad Al-Qarm, alongside several staff members from the ministry’s general administrations and specialists. A number of UNICEF delegation members also attended the meeting. During the meeting, Dr. Hamad emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership with UNICEF, praising the organization’s role in supporting the social protection sector and assisting Palestinian children and families amid the difficult humanitarian conditions, particularly with the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and the worsening humanitarian and living conditions. The Minister reviewed the efforts led by the ministry to reorganize the social protection sector through the development of the National Social Protection Network Protocol, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Bank. The initiative aims to regulate social assistance resources, unify beneficiary databases, ensure aid and services reach the most vulnerable groups, and prevent duplication in assistance delivery. The meeting also addressed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and the impact of the war on children, particularly in the areas of education, mental health, social protection, and children with disabilities. The UNICEF delegation affirmed its continued efforts to provide psychological and social support, establish temporary educational spaces for children within the Gaza Strip, and continue delivering educational and medical supplies, clothing, and humanitarian aid. Both parties also discussed the “The Gaza We Want” initiative, implemented by UNICEF with the participation of thousands of children in Gaza. The initiative aims to listen to children’s aspirations and future needs and involve them in shaping their vision for the future of the Gaza Strip, while also highlighting the importance of strengthening children’s participation and protecting their rights under the current circumstances. The meeting further discussed the importance of enhancing field coordination within the Gaza Strip and exchanging data and information related to assistance and services provided to families and children, in a way that strengthens integration between governmental institutions and international partners and contributes to improving the humanitarian response and social services provided to citizens. The meeting witnessed the signing of a joint work plan between the ministry and UNICEF, in addition to the signing of an agreement concerning aid funded by China, which includes winter supplies, clothing, and medical assistance designated for the Gaza Strip. At the conclusion of the meeting, commemorative shields were exchanged between the two sides, reaffirming the depth of the partnership and cooperation between the ministry and UNICEF, and expressing appreciation for the joint efforts aimed at supporting Palestinian children and families and strengthening their resilience in the face of ongoing humanitarian challenges.
