MoSD Signs Cooperation Agreement with YMCA to Strengthen Rehabilitation and Community Inclusion Services
In a new step to enhance social services in Palestine, the Ministry of Social Development and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) – Jerusalem signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on supporting the rights of persons with disabilities and advancing psychosocial rehabilitation services.
The signing was attended by Dr. Samah Hamd, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, alongside Ms. Maha Abdullah Khoury, Chairwoman of the YMCA Board of Directors, and representatives from both parties.
During the ceremony, Dr. Hamd highlighted the vital role of the government’s Emergency Operations Room in the southern governorates, outlining recent developments that included coordination with local and international partners, strengthening early recovery efforts, following up on critical humanitarian cases, and providing cash, food, and health assistance to the most vulnerable families. She explained that the operations room serves as a central mechanism to ensure the rapid and effective delivery of services, with close monitoring of on-the-ground challenges to guarantee the protection of citizens and the safeguarding of their basic rights.
Dr. Hamd added that the signing of this MoU comes amid the difficult humanitarian and social conditions faced by the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, which is enduring an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, as well as ongoing attacks in the West Bank that have resulted in forced displacement. She stressed the importance of the Ministry’s role in addressing these challenges through strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and enhancing the services of its rehabilitation centers to support and empower persons with disabilities, protect their rights, and promote their inclusion in society.
For her part, Ms. Khoury emphasized that the YMCA, which has longstanding expertise in rehabilitation since 1989, seeks through this agreement to develop tailored programs that address the needs of persons with disabilities and survivors of violence.
This cooperation comes as part of the Ministry of Social Development’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the social protection system, expand service provision, and ensure the inclusion of the most vulnerable groups in Palestinian society, thereby contributing to their resilience and advancing justice and inclusivity.
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MoSD discusses the reality of social protection in Palestine with the International Labour Organization
Ramallah – The Minister of Social Development held a virtual meeting with the International Labour Organization to discuss the status of social protection in Palestine and the challenges facing the social sector amid difficult humanitarian and economic conditions, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank, as well as ways to enhance income opportunities and support the most vulnerable groups. She explained that the strict Israeli restrictions on movement, along with the loss of livelihoods for large numbers of workers since October 2023, have negatively affected the Palestinian economy and increased social and living needs, placing additional pressure on the social protection services provided by the Ministry. She stressed that the Ministry of Social Development has continued delivering its services in the Gaza Strip despite the war, either directly or through partnerships with local and international institutions, affirming the continued work in the areas of child and women protection and the provision of essential social services for affected groups. Dr. Samah Hamad noted that the Ministry has developed the social registry to become a key national tool for organizing the social response and linking interventions to actual needs, particularly with the growing number of affected families in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including those impacted by displacement and loss of income. During the meeting, the Minister also presented several observations related to Palestinian priorities, stressing the importance of ensuring that international assessments and recommendations reflect the realities on the ground and translate into practical steps that support the sustainability of social services and strengthen the capacity of national institutions to respond. Dr. Hamad further emphasized that the Palestinian people—especially youth—possess high competencies and strong professional capabilities, particularly in fields requiring innovation and specialization. She highlighted the importance of investing in these capacities, especially in the information technology sector and remote work, as key pathways to expanding employment opportunities and strengthening economic resilience. She added that urgent priorities in the Gaza Strip include education, job creation, and strengthening interventions in humanitarian relief and social protection, in addition to supporting light industries and the agricultural sector, given their essential role in enhancing citizens’ resilience and supporting recovery efforts. She also underscored the importance of launching employment initiatives that help mitigate the impact of the crisis on Palestinian families. For their part, representatives of the International Labour Organization affirmed the importance of the insights and remarks presented during the meeting, noting that these observations will be taken into consideration in the preparation of the report to more accurately reflect the priorities and challenges related to the Palestinian context.
Minister of Social Development Launches Campaign “No Orphan Will Be Left Without Sponsorship in Palestine”
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development places special priority on child protection and orphan care within the social protection system, recognizing them as among the most vulnerable groups in need of care and support. The Ministry works to develop comprehensive programs that ensure social, educational, and psychological protection for orphans and enhance their opportunities for a dignified and stable life, by expanding sponsorship programs and strengthening cooperation with partner institutions to ensure that support and care reach all children in need. This came during the launch of the national campaign to support and care for orphans in Palestine under the slogan “No Orphan Will Be Left Without Sponsorship in Palestine” by the Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad. The campaign was launched with the participation of several partner organizations working in the field of orphan care across various governorates of the West Bank, in addition to partner institutions in the Gaza Strip. Dr. Hamad affirmed that this campaign comes as part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen orphan care programs and expand opportunities for sustainable support, ensuring protection, care, and a dignified life for children. She emphasized that the campaign’s slogan reflects a national and humanitarian commitment that the Ministry and its partners are working to achieve. She explained that the campaign is based on strengthening partnerships between governmental institutions, civil society organizations, Zakat committees, and entities working in the orphan care sector, contributing to unified efforts, improved working mechanisms, and expanded sponsorship and support programs. During the meeting, data on the situation of orphans in Palestine was presented, indicating that their number is estimated at around 65,000 orphans in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, highlighting the growing need for integrated support programs that include educational, social, and psychological aspects to ensure a safe and stable environment for children. At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Hamad called on civil society organizations, international institutions, the private sector, and donors to strengthen cooperation and contribute to expanding orphan sponsorship programs, in order to achieve the campaign’s national objective and ensure that no orphan in Palestine is left without sponsorship or care.
