Within One Week: The MoSD Advances its Field and Humanitarian Role and Intensifies International Engagement
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development, led by Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, continued its multifaceted efforts on both the national and international levels, within a comprehensive vision to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable groups and respond to the consequences of the ongoing aggression.
On the international front, the State of Palestine delegation presented a comprehensive report before the Human Rights Committee in Geneva on violations against persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, prepared by the Ministry of Social Development in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister Hamad also accompanied Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa in his visit to Al-Arish General Hospital, the Egyptian Red Crescent logistics center, and the humanitarian kitchen in Sheikh Zuweid, where they reviewed ongoing relief efforts and Egypt’s continued support.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Development, the Government of Japan and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a $3.3 million support agreement to provide basic food supplies for more than 346,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Minister Hamad also met with Mr. Stefan Emblad, Regional Director at the World Bank, to discuss strategic issues and strengthen cooperation mechanisms with the Ministry, in order to further develop programs and services for vulnerable groups.
The Ministry also participated in a specialized workshop on gender-responsive budgeting with the Ministry of Finance and international partners, and concluded a specialized training within the Sawasya III program to enhance staff capacities in responding to the needs of women with disabilities. Additionally, a meeting was held with the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), represented by its Director General Mr. Ammar Dwaik and his team, to review a fact sheet on the situation of unaccompanied and separated children amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Both sides affirmed that protecting these children is a national priority requiring coordinated institutional efforts, while calling for urgent responses to ensure their care and protection.
The Ministry also continued its efforts to secure safe and dignified housing for patients from Gaza and their companions stranded in the West Bank since the start of the war, in cooperation with the Arab Specialized Hospital and the private sector.
On the field level, the Ministry’s directorates carried out a series of developmental and humanitarian activities. In Jericho and the Jordan Valley, the Child Protection Network launched its second summer camp “Our Camp is More Beautiful” in Zubeidat village in partnership with World Vision. The Directorate also oversaw the administrative board elections of Al-Qamar Charitable Association, which resulted in an uncontested win for the new members.
In Nablus, the Directorate launched a pottery-making training course for female inmates at the Correction and Rehabilitation Center in cooperation with Ansar Al-Insan Association, and discussed partnerships with “Yalu” Association to economically empower women. In Tubas, the Directorate received the heads of the Preventive Security Service and the Civil Liaison Office to discuss avenues of cooperation, and in partnership with the YMCA distributed clothing for displaced children. In Tulkarm, the Directorate explored cooperation opportunities with the YMCA and Al-Awda Center to support children with autism. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the Qatari Committee, in coordination with the Directorate of Social Development, provided financial assistance to university students registered with the Ministry.
On the diplomatic and humanitarian front, the Government Emergency Operations Room for Southern Governorates continued its meetings with Palestinian ambassadors, highlighting the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, the urgency of expediting aid delivery, and the need to end the war of extermination. Minister Hamad stressed the importance of strengthening the national narrative in international forums in light of the sharp increase in casualties, worsening displacement, and the looming famine. She called on brotherly and friendly states to intensify both humanitarian and political support for the resilience of the Palestinian people.
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On the International Day for the Elimination of Child Marriage, MoSD Affirms: Protecting Girls Begins with Education, Protection, & Family Empowerment
Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that child marriage cannot be addressed in isolation from the broader social protection system, as it is linked to multiple factors, including poverty, school dropout, domestic violence, loss of parental care, displacement, and weakened protection networks. The Ministry explained that its role includes protecting children and girls at risk, providing case management, family interventions, psychosocial support, and referral services, and connecting families with assistance, essential services, and economic empowerment programmes. It also coordinates with relevant authorities when the safety of a child or girl is at risk. The Ministry places the best interests of the child and protection from exploitation and abuse at the heart of its child protection services. The Ministry stressed that preventing early marriage also requires protecting families from poverty and economic shocks, supporting girls' continued access to education, raising awareness of their rights, and strengthening families' ability to cope with pressures without resorting to practices that may expose girls to long-term physical, psychological, and social risks. The issue is particularly concerning in the Gaza Strip, where the Ministry warned that the loss of parental care, displacement, extreme poverty, and the declining capacity of extended families to provide care and protection increase children's vulnerability to various forms of exploitation, including early marriage. In this context, the Ministry continues to work with local and international organizations involved in child and women's protection to strengthen early intervention, referral pathways, alternative care, and psychosocial support, alongside assistance to the most vulnerable families to reduce the risk factors that may contribute to early marriage. The Ministry called for child marriage to be addressed as a child protection and human rights issue requiring coordinated action among families and social, educational, health, and legal institutions. It also called for increased investment in girls' education, protection, and empowerment to safeguard their right to grow, learn, and make decisions about their future freely and safely.
On World Children's Day, MoSD: Palestinian Children Face Harsh Realities of Loss, Displacement, Violence, & Deprivation
Ramallah – On the occasion of World Children's Day, observed annually on 20 November, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized that Palestinian children are facing extremely harsh conditions amid the continuing consequences of the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip and escalating attacks, displacement, home demolitions, and movement restrictions in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These conditions have deprived children of their lives, families, shelter, education, care, and safety. According to available United Nations data, at least 21,700 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip, while approximately 45,000 have been injured, including more than 11,000 children who have sustained life-altering injuries. Meanwhile, thousands of families continue to experience repeated displacement and deprivation of essential services. In the West Bank, including Jerusalem, children continue to face attacks, forced displacement of families, and damage to schools, homes, and infrastructure. More than 1,700 children have been displaced since the beginning of 2026 as a result of settler violence, movement restrictions, and demolitions. The Ministry stressed that the consequences of war and occupation extend beyond immediate casualties to include bereavement, family separation, hunger, school dropout, child labour, violence, exploitation, acquired disabilities, and psychological and social distress. These risks require a comprehensive and long-term child protection response. The Ministry explained that child protection is a central pillar of its work, implemented through Child Protection Departments in its directorates. These departments receive reports, assess levels of risk, provide case management and family follow-up, facilitate referrals to specialized services, and intervene in cases of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Their responsibilities also include protecting children engaged in labour or begging, children who have dropped out of school, and children in conflict with the law, in coordination with relevant government authorities and partner organizations. In the Gaza Strip, children's protection and care needs have intensified significantly, particularly among orphans, children deprived of parental care, separated and unaccompanied children, and those requiring psychosocial support. In cooperation with its partners, the Ministry is working to provide alternative care, social follow-up, sponsorship programmes, psychological support, and food, health, and in-kind assistance, while strengthening and restoring child protection services across the Gaza Strip. The Ministry emphasized that protecting children is inseparable from protecting their families. Accordingly, child protection services form part of a broader social protection system encompassing food, cash, and non-food assistance, health insurance, education, school bags and stationery, psychosocial support, services for persons with disabilities, and family economic empowerment. These interventions aim to reduce the risks associated with poverty, displacement, loss of income, and family instability. The Ministry of Social Development called on the international community, United Nations agencies, humanitarian organizations, and donors to provide sustainable support for the Palestinian child protection system. It urged continued funding for alternative care programmes, orphan sponsorship, psychosocial support, education, nutrition, and rehabilitation, alongside support for Palestinian national institutions capable of reaching children and families and ensuring sustained follow-up. The Ministry concluded by emphasizing that World Children's Day cannot be merely an occasion for celebration while Palestinian children are deprived of their most fundamental rights. It stressed that protecting children begins with safeguarding their right to life and extends to ensuring their rights to family care, shelter, food, education, healthcare, protection, and social support.
