MoSD is discussing with the State Secretary coordination of humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Ramallah – Member of the German Parliament (Bundestag) and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Niels Annen, praised the efforts of the Palestinian government in coordinating the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip despite the difficult circumstances. His remarks came during a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamd, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah.
Annen affirmed that his country values the vital role of the Palestinian National Authority, emphasizing that continued cooperation with its national institutions is essential for success.
For her part, Dr. Samah Hamd stressed the importance of full coordination with the Palestinian government and the adoption of its plans for any process related to Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction. She emphasized that “any arrangements or mechanisms for managing aid must align with the legitimate mandate of the Palestinian government and operate under the supervision of its national institutions.”
Dr. Hamd explained that through the Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions, which includes more than 45 national and international institutions, the Palestinian government has successfully organized humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza since the beginning of the war. She noted that “Palestinian institutions continue to operate despite the massive scale of destruction,” and that the Ministry oversees a national database of more than 320,000 families to coordinate assistance and ensure fairness in distribution.
She added that Gaza is still suffering from famine and a severe shortage of food and medicine, pointing out that the entry of aid through the crossings remains limited and does not meet even the minimum needs of the population.
Dr. Hamd further affirmed that the Palestinian government is fully prepared to manage civil and humanitarian affairs in the Gaza Strip through its unified national system, noting that all sectors in Gaza—including education, health, and social development—operate under the same laws and regulations applied in the West Bank, reflecting the unity of the Palestinian administrative and institutional system.
Speaking about the Ministry’s role, Dr. Hamd explained that the Ministry of Social Development leads the social and humanitarian response in both Gaza and the West Bank through social protection programs, cash and food assistance, and care services for vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. She emphasized that investment in social protection “is not a temporary relief effort, but a cornerstone of development and social stability.”
The meeting was attended by Undersecretary Taha Al-Irani, Assistant Undersecretary Akram Al-Hafi, and Advisor to the Ministry of State for Relief Affairs Mahdi Hamdan, in addition to Rana Riyadi and Sally Baroud from the Ministry.
The German delegation included Mario Sander (Head of Division – BMZ), Annika Engels (Deputy Head of Division – German Foreign Office), Anna Berg (Advisor – BMZ), Vincent Rump (Advisor – BMZ), Martin Mauthe (HoC VB), and Saba Rajoub (Officer for Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance – VB).
Dr. Hamd noted that a ceasefire and stabilization of field conditions are prerequisites for any effective developmental or humanitarian effort, explaining that past experiences during previous calm periods, including the January ceasefire, demonstrated that ensuring a minimum level of security enables Palestinian institutions to operate effectively. She pointed out that during that period, the government managed to deliver around 40,000 tents within six weeks and organize shelter and assistance efforts through national and UN agencies.
She stressed that continued bombardment and repeated displacement hinder any real prospects for recovery and further aggravate the suffering of families that have yet to regain even the basic necessities of life.
Dr. Hamd also highlighted the importance of the German role, particularly in the early recovery phase, describing it as “the most strategic phase for any donor,” since it establishes the institutional and technical foundations for subsequent reconstruction. She called for supporting economic recovery projects, providing agricultural and industrial production inputs, and enabling the Palestinian private sector to resume its activities.
In a related context, the Minister warned against neglecting the situation in the West Bank, especially in its northern areas, noting that settler attacks during the olive harvest season have led to the displacement of around 50,000 citizens and extensive destruction in camps and private properties.
She expressed gratitude to the German government for reallocating five million euros to support interventions in the West Bank, including three million euros signed with the Ministry to implement economic empowerment projects in cooperation with civil society organizations.
In conclusion, Dr. Hamd emphasized that any reconstruction process in Gaza “must be part of a clear political path leading to the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.” She underscored that “the unification of international and Arab efforts under the framework of the Palestinian government is the only way to save what remains of Gaza and to rebuild the people before rebuilding the stones.”