Dr. Samah Hamad Participates in Family Forum in Istanbul and Explores Humanitarian and Social Cooperation
Istanbul – Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, participated in the International Family Forum held in Istanbul on May 22–23, 2025. The event was organized by the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Services, with the participation of ministers and representatives from international organizations across 27 countries, under the theme: "Protecting and Empowering the Family in a Globalized World."
On the first day, Dr. Hamad delivered remarks during the official ministerial session titled “Integrating Family-Oriented Policies,” in which she highlighted the tragic reality faced by Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip. She cited over 53,000 martyrs, more than 1.9 million forcibly displaced individuals, and over 126,000 injuries – the majority of whom are women and children. She further warned that 470,000 people are facing famine, including 14,000 children in critical health conditions, amidst the collapse of the healthcare system.
Dr. Hamad stressed that the Palestinian government is exerting extraordinary efforts through the Governmental Operations Room and the Ministerial Committee for Emergency Affairs to provide shelter centers, cash assistance, and psychosocial support, in addition to activating a national orphan sponsorship system.
On the second day, Dr. Hamad took part in the session “Being a Family in the Age of Screens” and presented an intervention on the impact of the digital world on Palestinian family cohesion, particularly in displacement contexts. She noted that some children in Gaza spend over six hours a day on screens without supervision, and the rise in smart device use has contributed to an increase in family disintegration, as reported by both local and international sources.
The forum was opened by Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, who called for the development of a “global family diplomacy,” emphasizing the need to prioritize family-related issues in international policy agendas.
The forum concluded with a speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, attended by First Lady Emine Erdoğan, and reaffirmed the importance of supporting families in conflict-affected areas. Contributions were also made by ministers from Jordan, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and representatives from UN agencies.
Palestine’s participation in the forum reflects its commitment to family protection and resilience, and its determination to bring the humanitarian voice of its people to the international stage.