Dr. Samah Hamad at Birzeit University: Students Learn About the Government Operations Room as a Model of Integrated Humanitarian Response in the Southern Governorates
Ramallah – Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – The President of Birzeit University, Dr. Talal Shahwan, received Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, at the university’s main campus ahead of her participation in a policy dialogue session organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, titled: “The Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions in the Southern Governorates”, attended by a wide audience of academics and students.
The session was moderated by Dr. Ayman Al-Zarou, Director of the Master’s Program in Public Administration and Strategic Planning, who welcomed the Minister and commended her valuable input, praising the comprehensive presentation she delivered on a national model for effective crisis and emergency management.
In her remarks, Dr. Hamad highlighted the experience of the Nineteenth Palestinian Government in establishing the Government Operations Room for the Southern Governorates, which was formed following the temporary halt of aggression on January 19. The objective was to coordinate humanitarian response efforts and institutionalize government action based on clear priorities.
She explained that the Operations Room includes representatives from 38 governmental, international, civil society, and private sector institutions, and operates around the clock to unify interventions in the fields of relief, shelter, water, and essential services, emphasizing that this mechanism has enhanced the effectiveness of the response and accelerated implementation on the ground.
Dr. Hamad also referred to the work of the Ministerial Committee for Emergency Response in the Northern West Bank, which continues to address the needs of displaced families from the heavily impacted camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Al-Far’a, through coordinated action among ministries and partner institutions to ensure shelter and the delivery of basic services.
She concluded her remarks by stressing that the ongoing aggression has resulted in profound psychosocial and nutritional crises, particularly among children, which require long-term interventions that go beyond short-term aid. She called for a unified national and international effort to support the rebuilding of Palestinian lives and to strengthen community resilience.
Latest News
Delegation from the Ministry of Social Development Reviews the Jordanian Experience in Managing Protection Centers
Amman – A delegation from the Ministry of Social Development, represented by the Women and Gender Unit, reviewed the Jordanian experience in managing and operating protection centers during a two-day visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The visit comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts to develop social work and enhance the protection of women. The visit was organized within the framework of the Women and Gender Unit’s efforts to strengthen the exchange of expertise and build the capacities of professionals working in the field of women’s protection. The program included meetings with the Jordanian Ministry of Social Development and an overview of the policies, procedures, and operational mechanisms adopted in protection centers. During the visit, the delegation learned about the package of services provided by protection centers, including safe shelter, protection services, psychological, social, and legal support, counseling, and community reintegration, contributing to the provision of a safe and supportive environment for women. The visit also included field tours to the Family Reconciliation House and the Girls’ Care House, where the delegation reviewed efforts to provide protection and care services, strengthen women’s capacities and self-confidence, and examined mechanisms of integrated work and partnerships among relevant stakeholders. The visit aims to benefit from the leading Jordanian experience and apply best practices in Palestine, in addition to enhancing the professional efficiency of women working in the field of women’s protection and strengthening regional partnerships in support of social work and women’s protection. At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation expressed its appreciation to the staff of the protection centers in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for their efforts, emphasizing the importance of such visits in strengthening cooperation and exchanging knowledge and expertise between the two countries.
Social Development Ministry Assists Gaza Family
Under the Follow-Up of H.E. Minister of Social Development Dr. Samah Hamad: Humanitarian Intervention for a Family from Gaza, Securing Housing and Financial Assistance The Ministry of Social Development followed up on a humanitarian case involving a family from the Gaza Strip who had been residing in a hospital in the city of Jerusalem for medical treatment. After the completion of the treatment period, the family—consisting of five members—was left without a place to stay. Accordingly, the Ministry took the necessary measures to address the situation. The family was transferred to the city of Ramallah, where suitable housing was secured through the rental of an apartment, ensuring temporary stability for the family. In addition, a monthly financial allowance was provided, covering the apartment rent and basic food needs, as part of the Ministry’s role in responding to urgent humanitarian cases. This intervention comes within the framework of the Ministry of Social Development’s commitment to fulfilling its social and humanitarian responsibilities and supporting affected families, particularly in light of the difficult economic conditions and financial constraints facing the Palestinian Authority.
