D.Samah Hamad Participates in the International Conference on Rebuilding Gaza’s Social Fabric via Government Operations Center
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, participated via Zoom in the International Conference on Addressing Economic, Health, Legal, and Educational Challenges to Rebuild Gaza’s Social Fabric, held in Cairo, Egypt. In her speech, she emphasized that the Palestinian government has been working since the beginning of the crisis to coordinate relief and humanitarian efforts to ensure aid reaches affected families. She praised Egypt’s role in supporting the Palestinian people, particularly by facilitating the entry of aid and relief materials into Gaza. She explained that the Government Operations Center has served as an effective model in coordinating emergency responses in cooperation with international institutions to ensure that essential aid is delivered and directed according to actual needs and priorities.
Dr. Hamad stated that the Ministry adopted an emergency financial aid strategy for all affected families in Gaza, providing 500 million shekels during 2024 in coordination with UN institutions and donor countries. These funds were distributed as direct cash assistance ranging from $200 to $250 per family in response to the liquidity crisis that has plagued the region for years. She emphasized that this aid has not been sufficient given the increasing needs, which necessitates continued efforts to mobilize additional funding.
She stressed that relief efforts in Gaza are conducted collaboratively through the Government Operations Center, where the Ministry works with international institutions such as UNDP, OCHA, the Palestinian Red Crescent, the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Kuwaiti Red Crescent, the Turkish Red Crescent, and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization to ensure sustainable humanitarian interventions and an effective response across all affected areas. She affirmed that this Palestinian platform has become a pioneering model that reflects the integration of local and international efforts in supporting Palestinian resilience.
Regarding psychosocial support, Dr. Hamad highlighted the significant efforts made in cooperation with civil society organizations to provide psychological support for children and women. She noted that Palestinian women have demonstrated exceptional resilience, leading the return to their communities in northern Gaza despite the widespread destruction, striving to restore normalcy and rebuild their communities.
She concluded by stating that the Ministry continues to push international entities to ensure the entry of essential materials and equipment for Gaza’s reconstruction, stressing the importance of intensifying international efforts to lift restrictions on the entry of these supplies. She extended her gratitude to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization for its effective role in supporting relief efforts and mobilizing necessary funding. She also commended Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain for their continuous support in providing humanitarian and relief aid, affirming that this Arab solidarity reflects a consistent commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and strengthening their resilience in these challenging times.
The conference concluded with a series of recommendations emphasizing the need to enhance humanitarian and relief support for Gaza’s residents, secure necessary funding for reconstruction, and intensify international efforts to ensure the unobstructed delivery of essential aid. Participants also stressed the importance of joint cooperation between governments and international organizations to develop sustainable solutions that address the exceptional conditions in Gaza while prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable groups, particularly children and women.
The conference witnessed broad participation from international officials and experts, alongside representatives from the Palestinian government. Discussions covered key issues related to the healthcare, education, and social challenges facing Gaza’s population, as well as strategies to strengthen relief efforts and ensure sustainable reconstruction, with the participation of representatives from international and regional organizations, in addition to ministers and officials from several countries.
