As Part of Government Efforts to Strengthen Humanitarian Response: Dr. Samah Hamad Conducts Field Visit to Kafr Ni’ma and Kafr Malik
Ramallah – As part of the Palestinian government’s efforts to enhance humanitarian response and social protection, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, carried out a field visit today to the villages of Kafr Ni’ma and Kafr Malik in Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate. She was accompanied by Assistant Deputy Minister Akram Al-Hafi, Director of the Ramallah Directorate Imad Omran, and a team from the Ministry and the Directorate, to assess the state of social services, meet with local councils and residents, and closely examine community needs.
In Kafr Ni’ma, Dr. Hamad met with the Head of the Village Council, Mr. Raafat Khalifa, council members, and active community representatives, including Mr. Naif Ishtayeh (Head of the Palestinian Children’s Club), Ms. Tahani Ataya (Principal of Kafr Ni’ma Girls’ School), Hiba Al-Ne’ma from the Youth Center, and Ms. Mira Shaibat, head of the Ministry’s sub-office in the village.
During the meeting, Dr. Hamad emphasized that the Ministry operates within a government-wide vision rooted in social justice and enhanced protection for eligible groups. She outlined the Ministry’s provision of 18 specialized social services delivered through its offices across the governorates, covering care, protection, and empowerment, in addition to cash support programs for the most vulnerable, reaffirming that social justice remains at the heart of government policy.
She reaffirmed that field visits across the governorates will continue, noting that she had recently met with displaced families in the northern West Bank and witnessed firsthand the difficult humanitarian conditions they face. Dr. Hamad highlighted the government’s rapid response to the crisis, particularly in northern areas, coordinated through the Government Operations Room in partnership with stakeholders to ensure fair and transparent aid distribution.
She stressed that the government was prepared from the outset, implementing an emergency response plan to assist displaced families and ensure protection and basic assistance within available means. Despite significant needs and limited resources, she noted that the Ministry continues to operate with full dedication amidst mounting financial and logistical challenges.
Dr. Hamad also underscored the importance of partnerships with local councils and civil society organizations, highlighting a memorandum of understanding signed with the Palestinian Children’s Club in Kafr Ni’ma to implement specialized childhood programs.
The visit included a stop at the Ministry’s sub-office housed within the village council, which serves ten communities with approximately 34,000 residents and 425 beneficiary families. Dr. Hamad also toured the Children’s Club Center to discuss ways of enhancing its programs to meet children's evolving needs.
In Kafr Malik, Dr. Hamad was welcomed by Fatah Movement leader Mr. Jaafar Abdul Hafiz, Deputy Council Head Mr. Majed Al-Ma’di, council members, Ms. Masadah Ma’di (Head of Al-Ataa Association), and local elders and active women.
Listening to residents, Dr. Hamad heard concerns about living and social conditions and discussed ways to strengthen services and support mechanisms for vulnerable families. She stressed that her presence on the ground reflects the government’s commitment to direct engagement with the people and to ensuring that their voices and needs are conveyed to decision-makers at the highest levels. She visited several struggling families and distributed food parcels in a gesture of solidarity, reaffirming the Ministry’s prioritization of the most marginalized segments of society.
In conclusion, Dr. Hamad emphasized that the sacrifices of the Palestinian people increase the responsibility of all actors to uphold justice and dignity for the nation.
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Press Release Issued by the MoSD on the Occasion of International Women’s Day
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MoSD: Broad Interventions During the First Days of Ramadan with Partners’ Support
Press Release Issued by the MoSD on Achievements During the First Thirteen Days of the Holy Month of Ramadan Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development announced that its interventions during the first thirteen days of the holy month of Ramadan constituted a direct response to citizens’ needs amid the current circumstances, delivering multiple and parallel services that extend beyond in-kind assistance. These interventions included psychosocial support and social follow-up for the most vulnerable groups, distribution of food parcels and essential supplies, and the provision of emergency cash assistance for the most urgent cases, aiming to ease living burdens, stabilize families, and strengthen their ability to cope with pressures during the holy month. The Ministry clarified that these interventions were implemented in cooperation with partner associations and targeted vulnerable families. Efforts also included organizing Ramadan iftars and distributing hot meals, including special iftars for orphans. This work was supported by local and international partners, including the Sultanate of Oman, Arab Bank, Al-Quloub Al-Rahima Association, Palestine Children’s Relief Association, community kitchens (Takyas), local associations, ANERA, Multaqameen Ala Al-Khair Association, Makers of Hope Association, Basmat Khair Kitchen, Khudh wa A’ati Association, the French Islamic Relief Association, the Cash Working Group, and individual donors. In the West Bank, the Ministry reported that through 12 directorates, a total of 38,365 food parcels were distributed during this period, in addition to 2,750 iftar meals or hot meals and 1,251 cash interventions. These efforts aimed to ensure assistance reached eligible beneficiaries through clear mechanisms that strengthen solidarity and respond to the most urgent needs. In partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), food parcel vouchers were provided to 155,600 individuals listed in the Ministry’s regular beneficiary registry. Additionally, 8,458 families from active lists and 47,530 families from emergency lists benefited from assistance during February, as part of efforts to address urgent needs and enhance food security for the most vulnerable households. In the Gaza Strip, the Ministry confirmed that it delivered more than 37,379 food-related interventions, including vegetable and fruit baskets, infant formula, meals, bread, and suhoor meals, in addition to distributing 2,420 cups of water. Furthermore, 7,970 non-food interventions were provided, including hygiene kits, mattresses, winter clothing, and dignity kits. The Ministry of Social Development stressed that, under the current circumstances, it will continue intensifying its efforts and strengthening coordination with partners to expand the scope of response and ensure the continuity of humanitarian and social support for the most affected groups during and beyond the holy month of Ramadan, contributing to preserving family cohesion and enhancing community resilience.
