MoSD Holds Fourth Steering Committee Meeting on Youth Protection and Civic Engagement

Ramallah – The Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamd, chaired the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee for the Youth Protection and Civic Engagement Program, implemented by the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel) and funded by the Government of Belgium. The meeting was attended by Ms. Heidi De Pauw, Director of Enabel’s Office in Palestine and Jordan, accompanied by a delegation from the agency, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Health and Women’s Affairs, and the Youth Advisory Board. Also present were a number of assistant undersecretaries from the ministry, the Advisor to the Ministry of Relief, and the Projects Department.

In her remarks, Dr. Hamd stressed that the meeting is convened amid tragic humanitarian conditions experienced by the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the Palestinian government bears full responsibility toward its people through emergency response, recovery, and reconstruction plans. She explained that the government’s emergency operations room, in cooperation with partners, has developed a comprehensive plan covering the phases of relief, recovery, and reconstruction, noting that the first stage (6–12 months) of the response serves as the foundation for building long-term interventions in recovery and reconstruction.

Dr. Hamd also underlined the pivotal role of Palestinian youth, especially in the areas most at risk, and the importance of enhancing their civic engagement and protecting them from the challenges they face, including displacement, unemployment, and gender-based violence. She added: “Partners who are contributing at this critical stage are smart partners, as their interventions will form a solid base for the success of the subsequent phases.”

For her part, Ms. Heidi De Pauw reaffirmed Enabel’s commitment to continuing its support for the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, despite the difficult circumstances, noting that the partnership with the Ministry of Social Development represents an important model of needs-based work that strengthens mutual accountability and transparency.

Project Manager Mr. Hani Al-Deek reviewed the key achievements of the program, including strengthening youth digital protection, supporting mental health, and developing initiatives to prevent gender-based violence. He also presented an overview of the budget, the existing challenges, and plans to re-engage in Gaza.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination and ensuring the complementarity of efforts among all partners to guarantee the protection of Palestinian youth and expand their civic engagement, thereby enhancing their resilience in the current circumstances and laying the groundwork for a more stable and equitable future.