Amid Ongoing Aggression: Minister of Social Development Discusses Humanitarian Coordination with Jordan
Under the patronage of H.E. Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development of Jordan, and with the generous hosting of the Jordanian Ministry of Social Development, Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs and Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad, participated in an important coordination meeting held in the Jordanian capital, Amman. The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), H.E. Dr. Hussein Al-Shibli, along with a number of humanitarian and relief partners.
Dr. Samah Hamad expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Jordan—its leadership, government, and people—for their steadfast political and humanitarian support for Palestine. She emphasized that the "Restoring Hope" initiative, highlighted in the speech of His Majesty King Abdullah II at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, resonated widely in shedding light on the suffering of children with disabilities in Gaza. Dr. Hamad praised the Hashemite Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts, whether through the Jordanian Armed Forces or the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, noting that their support stands as a model of effective and rapid humanitarian response—from continuous airdrops of emergency aid to the ongoing operation of the field hospital, which continues to provide essential healthcare under extremely difficult circumstances.
She also commended the strong partnership with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization and its continued support for Gaza, stressing the importance of maintaining cooperation to confront the growing humanitarian needs in both Gaza and the West Bank, especially amid repeated military raids and forced displacement in northern refugee camps. Dr. Hamad called for increased attention and support for the northern governorates of the West Bank, which are witnessing a sharp deterioration in humanitarian conditions.
During the meeting, Jordanian Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa praised Jordan’s ongoing support for the people of Gaza. She noted that 400 prosthetic limbs have been provided to date as part of the Restoring Hope initiative, which aims to reach 16,000 beneficiaries in the coming years. She also announced the allocation of $3 million, in partnership with a donor, to provide infant formula for children in Gaza through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization. This commitment is one of the outcomes of the Palestinian Child Rights Conference, held under the royal patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II.
For his part, Dr. Hussein Al-Shibli affirmed the ongoing coordination and joint work between the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization and the Ministry of Social Development in Palestine, in implementation of royal directives. He confirmed that the support will also include the West Bank, particularly the northern regions affected by forced displacement. He also noted the continuation and expansion of the prosthetics initiative to reach a larger number of those in need and to institutionalize the program within an independent framework—building on the trust that international organizations place in the pivotal role of the JHCO in delivering aid to those most in need.
The series of meetings concluded with all parties reaffirming the importance of unifying humanitarian efforts and coordinating relief work to support the Palestinian people, while calling for the opening of crossings, an end to the aggression on Gaza, and the start of a recovery and reconstruction phase.
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Dr. Samah Hamad Discusses with the Birzeit Elderly Club Association Ways to Enhance Elderly Care and Develop Services Provided to Seniors
Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, discussed today with representatives of the Birzeit Elderly Club Association ways to enhance care services provided to senior citizens, as well as mechanisms to develop joint cooperation to ensure the sustainability and improvement of these services. The discussion took place during a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters, attended by the Minister’s Advisor Doaa Wadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection Affairs Akram Al-Hafi, along with several ministry employees and representatives from the Associations Department. Representing the association were Chairwoman of the Board Dr. Mai Al-Kaila, Club Director Najwa Khoury, and Vice Chairman of the Board Daoud Mansour Shaheen. The meeting addressed the current status of the association and the services it provides to the elderly, in addition to the financial and administrative challenges it faces. Participants also discussed mechanisms to strengthen the partnership with the ministry in order to ensure the continuity and development of services. The participants further discussed the legal status of the association and the procedures for transforming the club from a branch affiliated with a foreign association into an independent local association, as well as completing licensing procedures and opening a dedicated bank account. In addition, they reviewed the “service purchase” file related to care services provided to senior citizens and the move toward reactivating the agreement to ensure the continued provision of services within the community environment for the elderly. Legal issues related to outstanding financial dues and accumulated debts owed to the former foundations were also discussed, with efforts focused on finding appropriate legal solutions in cooperation with the relevant authorities. Dr. Samah Hamad affirmed the ministry’s commitment to developing social care and protection services, noting that the ministry is working to regulate and develop the social services sector and follow up on the legal frameworks governing the work of institutions and social centers. She also highlighted ongoing efforts related to licensing and regulating psychological and social counseling professions and services to ensure the quality of services provided to target groups. She praised the humanitarian and community role played by the association in caring for the elderly and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with local community institutions to serve the most vulnerable groups. For their part, Chairwoman Dr. Mai Al-Kaila and Club Director Najwa Khoury reviewed the nature of the services provided by the association to senior citizens, stressing that the association continues to deliver its services despite financial challenges, thanks to the efforts of staff members and volunteers who continue working to ensure service continuity. They also highlighted the importance of partnerships with several Palestinian universities, especially Birzeit University, particularly in the fields of nursing and pharmacy, due to their role in supporting the health and social services provided to the elderly. The meeting also addressed the ministry’s plan to expand the daytime care services model for senior citizens across the country through cooperation with local councils and municipalities, while benefiting from the experience of the Birzeit Elderly Club Association as a practical model in this field, within a broader effort to implement pilot projects in a number of local authorities. At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister confirmed her intention to visit the association’s headquarters soon in preparation for signing the new “service purchase” agreement once the necessary legal procedures are completed, thereby enhancing the sustainability of care services provided to senior citizens.
MoSD Implements Large-Scale Intervention and Distributes Assistive Devices to 285 Persons with Disabilities
Ramallah – In a step aimed at helping persons with disabilities overcome the challenges they face in their daily lives, the Ministry of Social Development, in cooperation with the Arab Bank, carried out a comprehensive field intervention to provide assistive devices to 285 beneficiaries with disabilities across several governorates. This initiative comes within the framework of a grant provided by the bank in response to the growing needs of the most vulnerable groups amid difficult humanitarian and economic conditions. The intervention was based on accurate field assessments conducted by the Ministry to identify the actual needs of beneficiaries. The assistance included the distribution of a variety of assistive devices, including 50 wheelchairs, 40 wheelchairs for children, 60 walkers, 30 medical mattresses, and 80 white canes, all tailored to meet the health and mobility needs of each beneficiary. The intervention also included supplying women’s protection centers with assistive devices, in a step aimed at promoting inclusion and integration of issues related to women with disabilities, and enabling these centers to provide services that are more responsive to their needs, ensuring their safe and equitable access to protection services. This intervention comes at a time when the challenges facing persons with disabilities are increasing, particularly amid limited resources and rising demand for essential services. These assistive devices are considered indispensable tools for mobility and independence, enabling beneficiaries to access services and participate in their communities in a normal and dignified manner. The Ministry praised the support of the Arab Bank and its active contribution to the success of this intervention, emphasizing that such partnerships with the private sector embody the true meaning of social responsibility and enhance the Ministry’s ability to reach the largest possible number of beneficiaries with meaningful and high-quality services. The Ministry further affirmed that this intervention reflects its firm commitment to strengthening the social protection system and expanding the scope of its services. It stressed its continued efforts to implement similar interventions in cooperation with partners, contributing to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and enhancing their resilience under the current circumstances.
