Internal Coordination Ongoing as MoSD Engages Regionally to Strengthen Social Protection System
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development continues its efforts to strengthen the social protection system in Palestine. Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, held a series of meetings with technical and administrative teams to follow up on key files and take practical measures to ensure support reaches those in need. These activities are part of the ministry’s ongoing field efforts, which also included the Minister’s participation via Zoom in the Fourth Arab Forum for Equality held in Algeria.
In her first meeting, Dr. Hamad focused on the nursery sector, stressing the need to raise institutional readiness, enhance oversight, and ensure the competence of staff working in nurseries. She emphasized that protecting children requires professional procedures and public awareness campaigns. She also instructed the development of a media plan to inform the public about the ministry’s role, the licensing process for nurseries, and the activation of a dedicated online verification portal.
In coordination with UNRWA, the Minister discussed ways to enhance technical cooperation and formalize the data-sharing partnership through a supplementary agreement. The goal is to improve the accuracy of targeting beneficiaries and prevent duplication. The discussions also covered support mechanisms for displaced families in northern West Bank areas, with an agreement to organize a joint meeting to draft a coordinated support plan with communication and media units.
During her regular meeting with the Projects Unit, Dr. Hamad called for the improvement of monitoring and oversight tools to ensure effective implementation of development and emergency programs—especially food assistance. She also directed the launch of a media campaign to guide beneficiaries on how to redeem food vouchers and enable the complaints unit to respond promptly to issues, particularly in light of limited information available to some families.
Dr. Hamad followed up on reports related to women’s support programs as part of the ministry’s efforts to ensure the continuity of services for the most vulnerable groups across governorates. She also reviewed plans to renovate protection centers and stressed the importance of cost-efficiency, cooperation with government entities, and completion of the legal and administrative procedures required to ensure the sustainability and quality of services provided.
During her remote participation in the Fourth Arab Forum for Equality (June 23–25, 2025), Dr. Hamad presented a summary of the ministry’s strategies to adapt social protection systems amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the economic downturn in the West Bank. She highlighted the shift toward a rights-based approach inclusive of older persons, persons with disabilities, female-headed households, and war-affected families. The discussion also covered the development of e-payment systems, the reactivation of monthly cash transfers in the West Bank, and an emergency assistance program targeting around 200,000 displaced families in Gaza. Dr. Hamad affirmed the continuity of the flexible response plan despite the financial crisis caused by withheld clearance revenues and declining international aid, underscoring the role of partnerships with UN agencies and donors, and the update of the National Social Registry to improve targeting and resource management.
The Ministry of Social Development reiterates its commitment to regularly following up on urgent and field-level matters through direct executive decisions and meetings, to ensure aid reaches its rightful recipients and to reinforce social protection across Palestine.
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On World Children's Day, MoSD: Palestinian Children Face Harsh Realities of Loss, Displacement, Violence, & Deprivation
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