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.