The Ministry of Social Development Issues an Urgent Appeal to Support Persons with Disabilities in the Gaza Strip
Ramallah: The Ministry of Social Development is following with deep concern the severe humanitarian repercussions and catastrophic consequences of the Israeli war of extermination on the Gaza Strip. This war has devastated all aspects of life, disproportionately affecting persons with disabilities, whose numbers have increased at an unprecedented rate. Their daily lives have turned into a doubled struggle, placing this group at the forefront of those most impacted due to the physical and psychological challenges that have been exacerbated by the war.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization, the devastating war has left more than 111,000 people injured, over half of whom are children, women, and the elderly. At least a quarter of the injured are suffering from life-altering injuries, requiring long-term rehabilitation services (permanent disabilities). Additionally, more than 28,000 new disability cases have arisen due to direct injuries, bringing the total number of persons with disabilities to over 85,000, as per current estimates.
Reports highlight that persons with disabilities were among the least able to flee from air and ground attacks due to their limited mobility and reliance on assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and visual aids, many of which were destroyed or lost in the bombings. Furthermore, current shelters do not provide suitable conditions for this group, leaving them vulnerable and deprived of basic necessities, including food, medicine, and sanitation facilities.
A Call to Donors and Partners
The suffering of persons with disabilities in Gaza is not merely a humanitarian concern but a matter of human rights that demands the urgent mobilization of the international community. In light of these catastrophic humanitarian conditions, we call upon the international community, all international donors, local partners, and humanitarian organizations to urgently intervene to support persons with disabilities in Gaza. Immediate responses are needed to provide prosthetics and assistive devices, rebuild healthcare and specialized rehabilitation centers, and establish sustainable emergency programs to provide psychological support and promote their social and economic inclusion.
The Reality for Persons with Disabilities in Gaza
Severe Limb Loss and Disability Cases:
Over 12,000–15,000 cases of amputations have been recorded, including 5,000 children in urgent need of prosthetics and rehabilitation services.
Shortage of Health Services:
The Gaza Strip suffers from a lack of specialized centers for prosthetic manufacturing, with existing centers either partially or completely destroyed.
Rehabilitation services for severe cases have been significantly disrupted, and there is no specialized care for patients with complex injuries, putting their lives at serious risk. Immediate and long-term support is critically needed to meet the immense rehabilitation demands.
Acute Shortage of Assistive Devices:
The number of injured individuals requiring assistive devices far exceeds the available supplies in Gaza. Partners have reported that stocks of basic assistive equipment, such as wheelchairs and crutches, have been completely depleted.
The Ministry’s Efforts During the Devastating War
Throughout the devastating war, which lasted over 15 months, the Ministry was at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of citizens amid the dire conditions imposed by the war. We ensured the delivery of emergency relief in coordination with international partners, distributing food and medical aid to meet the basic needs of affected families. At the same time, we gave special attention to persons with disabilities, facilitating the transfer of some injured individuals to specialized centers outside the Gaza Strip to ensure they received the necessary healthcare.
Despite the destruction and blockade, we have made relentless efforts to sustain the provision of essential services to this vulnerable group, which suffers the most under such circumstances. Our support extended beyond material aid, as we also provided psychological and social counseling services, recognizing the importance of mental health support in helping victims cope with the war’s aftermath. Through continuous coordination with international organizations, we ensured that humanitarian aid reached those most in need, especially the most vulnerable groups.
The Ministry remains steadfast in defending human rights and providing support to all who require it, in close cooperation with international and local partners. We strive to alleviate the pain caused by the war and offer a glimmer of hope to those affected by this tragedy.
We affirm, as a Ministry, that supporting this most vulnerable group is both a humanitarian and moral obligation that cannot be delayed. We therefore urge everyone to unite and work together to alleviate the suffering of our people in Gaza and to ensure a dignified and secure life for persons with disabilities. The resilience of our people in Gaza is a source of inspiration for us all, and it is our duty to continue providing all forms of possible support.
Together, for Humanity and the Preservation of Dignity.
Latest News
MoSD Announces the Launch of Procedures to Develop a Regional Ageing Index in Cooperation with ESCWA
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief, Dr. Samah Hamad, announced that the Ministry of Social Development has initiated procedures to develop a regional ageing index in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The initiative aims to develop a regional tool to measure the situation of older persons and identify their needs, contributing to the development of policies, programmes, and services provided for them. Dr. Hamad affirmed that the Ministry has given this project high priority at the current stage, given its importance in strengthening the data system related to older persons and providing scientific indicators that help assess their situation, identify their needs, and support evidence-based planning and policymaking, thereby improving the quality of services and social protection provided to this group. She explained that the project builds on the discussions held during the workshops organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the participation of national focal points on ageing and older persons, as well as national statistical offices from Arab countries. These discussions underscored the importance of developing a unified regional index that serves as a scientific reference for measuring the situation of older persons and monitoring progress in protecting their rights and improving their quality of life. Dr. Hamad added that the index will support the Ministry's efforts to develop national policies and programmes for older persons by strengthening the use of data and statistics in setting priorities and guiding interventions, in line with the demographic changes and the social and humanitarian challenges facing the region. She noted that the Ministry has begun completing the necessary technical and administrative procedures for implementing the project through coordination with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, in accordance with the approved mechanism for cooperation with ESCWA, in preparation for the commencement of joint work on developing the index. Dr. Hamad emphasized that the development of the index reflects the Ministry of Social Development's commitment to strengthening cooperation with regional and international institutions and benefiting from technical expertise in developing modern data-driven tools that support the rights of older persons, contribute to building more efficient and responsive social policies, and enhance their quality of life and dignity.
MoSD Signs Agreement with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society to Strengthen Protection Services
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development today signed a cooperation agreement with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), with support and funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aimed at strengthening the protection system for women and girls and ensuring the continuity and development of protection, case management, psychosocial support, and empowerment services. The agreement seeks to improve the quality of services provided, particularly for women and girls who are survivors of violence or at risk of violence. The signing ceremony was attended by Akram Al-Hafi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection; Mohammad Al-Qarm, Director General of the General Directorate of Family Affairs; and Hiba Jebat, Head of the Gender Unit. Representing the Palestinian Medical Relief Society were Dr. Suhail Aqabneh, Director General; Dr. Jameel Hamad, Jenin Area Director; Dr. Maryam Sawalmeh, Programmes and Projects Coordinator; and Bahia Omrah, Director of External Relations and Projects. Also in attendance were Shruti Ho, Assistant Representative and Programme Manager at the United Nations Population Fund, and Sana Assi, Gender Analyst. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the Ministry and the Society to strengthen protection services for women and girls, ensure the continued operation of the Protection Centre in Jenin Governorate, and provide case management, psychosocial support, awareness-raising, and empowerment services. It also includes capacity-building for staff and the development of service delivery mechanisms. Funded by UNFPA, the agreement provides for the recruitment of 15 staff members, including 13 personnel whose previous contracts had ended to ensure the continuity of protection services, in addition to creating two new positions to support the Protection Centre in Jenin Governorate, without imposing any direct financial obligations on the Ministry of Social Development. Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief, Dr. Samah Hamad, stated that the agreement represents an important step toward strengthening the social protection system and enhancing services provided to women and girls, particularly survivors of violence. She noted that programmes addressing the protection of women and children are among the most complex and sensitive programmes implemented by the Ministry in light of growing humanitarian and social needs. She stressed that strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and international partners is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the continuity and further development of services, while guaranteeing their accessibility to the most vulnerable groups. For his part, Dr. Suhail Aqabneh, Director General of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, stated that the agreement reflects the long-standing partnership between the Society and the Ministry of Social Development and contributes to ensuring the continuity of protection and psychosocial support services, particularly in Jenin Governorate. He affirmed that the Society will continue working alongside the Ministry to further develop services and reach those most in need, ensuring a more effective and sustainable response. Meanwhile, Shruti Ho, Assistant Representative and Programme Manager at UNFPA, reaffirmed the Fund’s continued support for the Ministry of Social Development in strengthening protection services for women and girls. He noted that the agreement’s funding is intended to ensure the continuity of essential services and strengthen the capacities of national institutions. He also highlighted that UNFPA is working to assess and improve services provided through safe spaces for women, contributing to better service distribution and enhanced access for beneficiaries. The parties affirmed that the agreement marks an important step in strengthening partnerships among government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners, contributing to the development and sustainability of social protection services. They also stressed the importance of continued coordination to ensure that protection, psychosocial support, and empowerment services reach women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
