Weekly Highlights: Dr. Samah Hamad Continues Efforts to Strengthen Humanitarian Response and Discusses Support Mechanisms for Displaced Families with Local and International Partners
As part of the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the humanitarian response in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, continued her field visits and coordination meetings throughout the week, aimed at organizing emergency interventions and reinforcing partnerships with both local and international actors.
During her meeting with the Palestinian Volunteers Association, attended by Major General Ahmad Fareed, Dr. Hamad discussed potential cooperation with the association, which provides free medical care to low-income families through its “Jabr Al-Khawatir Clinic” in the West Bank. The discussion also included the possibility of integrating the association’s services with the Unified Aid Portal launched by the Ministry to improve access to vulnerable households. The Minister praised the association's volunteer-driven work, which earned them the Volunteer Award, and welcomed their upcoming initiative to hold a volunteer medical day to benefit displaced families in northern areas of the West Bank.
In support of international partnerships, Dr. Hamad met with the European Union Delegation, where the latest EU financial support of €620 million was reviewed—an allocation set to cover salaries for public employees and retirees beginning in June. The meeting also addressed the situation of displaced persons in northern West Bank and the importance of expanding EU assistance to affected areas. Dr. Hamad urged the EU to exert pressure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and open crossings, as the humanitarian crisis deepens following the Prime Minister’s formal famine declaration.
Dr. Hamad also participated in the Donor Coordination Group (DCG–HOC) meeting, organized by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, chaired by Minister Dr. Wael Zaqout and Mr. Ibrahim Lavia, Head of Cooperation at the European Commission and Deputy Chair of the group, with participation from EU countries, international donors, and humanitarian support agencies.
The meeting focused on urgent political, humanitarian, and economic developments in Gaza and the West Bank, and outlined the Palestinian government’s post-war priorities, particularly reforming the social protection system and advocating for a ceasefire to enhance strategic dialogue and consolidate global support for Palestine.
During the meeting, Dr. Hamad presented an overview of the current humanitarian conditions and the role of the Ministries of Social Development and Planning in leading the government’s relief and recovery plan.
In cooperation with UN agencies, Dr. Hamad met with the International Labour Organization (ILO) representative and briefed him on the work of the Government Emergency Operations Room in the southern governorates. They also discussed the situation of displaced persons in northern West Bank and explored joint efforts to enhance social protection and develop emergency response solutions.
In the same context, Dr. Hamad took part in the Government Aid Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, which reviewed the latest relief efforts in the West Bank and Gaza and discussed ways to strengthen coordination with international institutions, especially in the areas of shelter, cash assistance, and food aid. In her remarks, Dr. Hamad emphasized the need to strengthen support for the most affected groups, particularly in northern West Bank and Gaza, by accelerating emergency aid disbursement and expanding the social protection framework.
Additionally, Dr. Hamad participated in a policy dialogue at Birzeit University, focused on the Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions in the Southern Governorates, where she presented the Palestinian government’s experience in humanitarian crisis management in a session attended by a wide group of students and academics.
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MoSD Warns: Summer Heat Turns Displacement Tents in Gaza into Death Traps
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development has warned of the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as extreme summer temperatures intensify, stressing that more than 1.9 million displaced people, representing nearly 90% of the population, are living in makeshift tents that are no longer fit for human habitation, while restrictions on the entry of humanitarian assistance and shelter materials continue. The Ministry explained that tents made of nylon, fabric, and heavy plastic have effectively become heat traps, with field data indicating that temperatures inside these shelters are 5–7°C higher than the outside temperature, frequently exceeding 45°C, in the absence of electricity, cooling systems, or adequate ventilation. The Ministry added that the water crisis is further aggravating the situation, with daily water availability falling to less than 3 litres per person in some areas—far below the minimum humanitarian standard—thereby increasing the risk of dehydration and the spread of disease, particularly among children, older persons, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. The Ministry also reported thousands of cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, alongside a sharp rise in skin diseases such as heat rash, scabies, fungal infections, and chickenpox, in addition to the spread of acute diarrhoeal diseases and viral hepatitis, as a result of contaminated water, the accumulation of solid waste, and the severe shortage of basic hygiene supplies. Furthermore, the Ministry stressed that the continued restrictions on the entry of fuel, cooling equipment, and solar energy systems are depriving hundreds of thousands of families of even the most basic means of protection from extreme heat, significantly increasing the health risks faced by displaced people. The Ministry called on the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action by opening border crossings and facilitating the entry of heat-resistant temporary shelters, safe drinking water, shelter materials, hygiene supplies, cooling equipment, alternative energy systems, and essential medicines required to respond to summer-related emergencies, emphasizing that the continuation of the current situation poses a direct threat to the lives of civilians.
MoSD Participates in Conference on Advocacy and Well-being for Women and Youth
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development, represented by Heba Jebat, Head of the Women and Gender Unit, participated in the conference titled "Presentation and Discussion of the Advocacy and Well-being Strategies for Women and Youth." The event was organized by the Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) in partnership with Oxfam and the AIDA Network, with support from the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD). The conference brought together representatives of government ministries, public institutions, civil society organizations, donors, and international partners. The conference was held as part of national efforts to strengthen the participation of women and youth, promote an institutional environment that ensures protection and empowerment, and expand cooperation between governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners in addressing the social, economic, and humanitarian challenges facing Palestinian society. Participants discussed the situation of women and youth under the current circumstances, mechanisms for enhancing their participation in public life and decision-making, and ways to advance national policies aimed at creating more inclusive and equitable environments. Discussions also focused on strengthening social protection and economic empowerment as key pillars for reinforcing resilience and achieving sustainable development. The conference emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation and coordination among government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to support the implementation of the Advocacy and Well-being Strategies. It also highlighted the need to develop policies and legislation that enhance the participation of women and youth while ensuring that marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities and residents of targeted communities, have equitable access to opportunities for participation and empowerment. The recommendations further stressed the importance of protecting civic space, strengthening the role of civil society organizations as key partners in development and humanitarian response, investing in the potential of young people, supporting youth-led initiatives, and fostering a new generation of youth leaders capable of contributing to decision-making and addressing current challenges. The conference featured specialized sessions on advocacy and campaigning strategies, community protection mechanisms for youth organizations, and the Well-being Strategy aimed at enhancing care and support for young human rights defenders. It also included extensive discussions on promoting employment and economic empowerment, developing safer and more equitable working environments, and building effective partnerships between government institutions, civil society organizations, and international actors. The Ministry of Social Development's participation in the conference reflects its commitment to strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and supporting national efforts to empower women and youth, enhance social protection, and promote the principles of justice, equality, and participation, thereby contributing to the resilience of Palestinian society and the achievement of sustainable development.
