Ministry of Social Development Receives "Winter Clothing" Coupons from ANERA to Distribute to Poor Families in the West Bank
Ramallah - December 16, 2024: In a step reflecting values of solidarity and social welfare, the Ministry of Social Development today received "Winter Clothing" coupons from ANERA to be distributed to the poorest families in the Jenin and Tulkarm areas, as well as to more than 400 sick individuals from Gaza residents living in the West Bank, especially in light of the harsh winter conditions. The campaign targets 1,230 beneficiaries, contributing to alleviating the suffering of the most vulnerable groups in Palestine. Additionally, aid will be directed to southern Gaza, benefiting approximately 8,000 families, as part of the joint cooperation with ANERA to support the most needy groups in this region.
In this context, Dr. Samah Hamad emphasized the importance of ensuring that these grants reach their rightful recipients, and that the distribution is carried out transparently to guarantee it reaches the most needy individuals, especially under the challenging economic and social conditions we are currently experiencing.
Dr. Hamad added that it is crucial to measure the impact this grant will have on the beneficiaries through clear indicators, such as improving living conditions and meeting basic needs. The Ministry plays a key role in organizing funding, ensuring there is no duplication in service provision, which guarantees optimal use of resources and prevents waste.
Dr. Hamad further explained, "We are implementing this campaign in direct coordination with the development directorates in the field, as they are the closest entities to the beneficiaries and have accurate data about them, which contributes to improving the efficiency of distribution and ensuring the support reaches the targeted groups."
This initiative comes as part of efforts to enhance the fairness and inclusiveness of the social protection system, covering families suffering from extreme poverty and sick individuals who are unable to meet their basic needs, regardless of their place of residence or economic conditions.
In conclusion, the Ministry confirmed that these efforts are driven by humanitarian values, reflecting our solidarity with one another during these difficult times. It is another step toward enhancing the spirit of cooperation and assistance to ensure a better and more dignified life for all.
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Dr. Samah Hamad Signs Cooperation Agreement with Aisha Association to Strengthen Child Protection Services in Gaza
As part of the efforts of the Ministry of Social Development to strengthen the social protection system and expand specialized interventions for children in the Gaza Strip, the Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad, signed today—via video conference—a cooperation agreement with the Aisha Association for Woman and Child Protection. The agreement aims to restore and enhance protection and care services for children most at risk in the Gaza Strip, and to expand the national capacity to respond to complex humanitarian and social cases amid the exceptional conditions facing the area. These circumstances have created an increasing need for specialized and safe interventions that ensure children’s protection and safeguard their fundamental rights. The meeting included the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection Akram Al-Hafi, Director General of Childhood Mohammed Al-Qaram, and the Ministry’s representative in Gaza Saeed Al-Ustaz, along with a number of ministry staff members. Representatives from partner institutions also participated, including UNICEF, Save the Children, Terre des Hommes Switzerland, Taawon, SOS Children's Villages, United Nations Population Fund, UN Women, and the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling. During the meeting, Dr. Hamad emphasized that this agreement represents an important step toward restoring essential services related to protection, care, and empowerment in the Gaza Strip. She noted that the Ministry—under the directives of the Palestinian leadership—continues working to ensure the continuity of its core services despite the extremely difficult humanitarian conditions caused by the ongoing aggression and its widespread impact on children, women, and families. She added that restoring protection services in Gaza constitutes a significant national and institutional challenge, but at the same time reflects a strong determination to persevere—both at the level of the government and partner institutions, as well as among field staff. She affirmed that the Ministry continues to prioritize protection and care services alongside relief interventions as part of its core responsibilities toward the most vulnerable groups. Dr. Hamad explained that the agreement focuses on providing specialized protection services for children from one day old up to 18 years of age who require urgent intervention and temporary care. The services will operate within the approved Palestinian protection system, including case referrals through the Ministry, monitoring protection plans, and implementing follow-up and exit mechanisms in accordance with national legal and professional standards applied in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. She further noted that the targeted children belong to the most vulnerable groups, particularly in light of the increasing number of at-risk and unaccompanied children in Gaza due to the ongoing war and the resulting displacement, loss, family separation, and severe psychological and social pressures. Dr. Hamad stressed that the Ministry is committed to providing full support to ensure the success of this service, whether through its staff working in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank or by mobilizing partnerships with supporting institutions and donors to meet the necessary needs. She emphasized that this work is being carried out within a national vision aimed at establishing a unified Palestinian protection system linking the West Bank and the Gaza Strip while taking into account the specific humanitarian conditions in Gaza. For her part, the Chairwoman of the Board of the Aisha Association, Taghreed Jumaa, highlighted the importance of this step in strengthening protection services in the Gaza Strip. She praised the support of partners—particularly UNICEF—for enabling the organization to launch this intervention, which will contribute to providing a more effective response for children and women in need of protection. Dr. Hamad also expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnerships with national and international organizations working in the field of protection. She stressed that the current phase requires further cooperation and coordinated efforts to ensure the sustainability of social services and strengthen the national protection system’s ability to reach the most vulnerable groups, thereby reinforcing the resilience of Palestinian society in the face of ongoing challenges.
MoSD discusses the reality of social protection in Palestine with the International Labour Organization
Ramallah – The Minister of Social Development held a virtual meeting with the International Labour Organization to discuss the status of social protection in Palestine and the challenges facing the social sector amid difficult humanitarian and economic conditions, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank, as well as ways to enhance income opportunities and support the most vulnerable groups. She explained that the strict Israeli restrictions on movement, along with the loss of livelihoods for large numbers of workers since October 2023, have negatively affected the Palestinian economy and increased social and living needs, placing additional pressure on the social protection services provided by the Ministry. She stressed that the Ministry of Social Development has continued delivering its services in the Gaza Strip despite the war, either directly or through partnerships with local and international institutions, affirming the continued work in the areas of child and women protection and the provision of essential social services for affected groups. Dr. Samah Hamad noted that the Ministry has developed the social registry to become a key national tool for organizing the social response and linking interventions to actual needs, particularly with the growing number of affected families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including those impacted by displacement and loss of income. During the meeting, the Minister also presented several observations related to Palestinian priorities, stressing the importance of ensuring that international assessments and recommendations reflect the realities on the ground and translate into practical steps that support the sustainability of social services and strengthen the capacity of national institutions to respond. Dr. Hamad further emphasized that the Palestinian people—especially youth—possess high competencies and strong professional capabilities, particularly in fields requiring innovation and specialization. She highlighted the importance of investing in these capacities, especially in the information technology sector and remote work, as key pathways to expanding employment opportunities and strengthening economic resilience. She added that urgent priorities in the Gaza Strip include education, job creation, and strengthening interventions in humanitarian relief and social protection, in addition to supporting light industries and the agricultural sector, given their essential role in enhancing citizens’ resilience and supporting recovery efforts. She also underscored the importance of launching employment initiatives that help mitigate the impact of the crisis on Palestinian families. For their part, representatives of the International Labour Organization affirmed the importance of the insights and remarks presented during the meeting, noting that these observations will be taken into consideration in the preparation of the report to more accurately reflect the priorities and challenges related to the Palestinian context.
