Signing of the Minutes of Consultations for the “Community Livelihood Improvement Project in Refugee Camps” in Cooperation with JICA

Ramallah– Under the patronage and presence of Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi, Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, the minutes of consultations for the new Japanese Technical Cooperation Project titled “Community Livelihood Improvement Project in Refugee Camps” were signed today.

This signing marks the culmination of a series of discussions among the Department of Refugee Affairs, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Social Development, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The signing ceremony was attended by Ms. Eri Komukai representing JICA, Mr. Anwar Hammam, Deputy Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Mr. Taha Al-Irani, Deputy Minister of Social Development, and Mr. Thaer Jaloud, Director of the Central West Bank Area, representing UNRWA.

Participants affirmed that this project represents a significant step forward in the path of cooperation between Palestine and Japan. It aims to improve living conditions in Palestinian refugee camps and strengthen refugees’ resilience through economic and social empowerment, contributing to sustainable community development.

Speakers emphasized the importance of cooperation among the Ministry of Social Development, the Department of Refugee Affairs, and JICA, in partnership with UNRWA, stressing that the project reflects a joint commitment to supporting refugees and improving their living conditions.

Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi highlighted the great importance of this project given the difficult circumstances currently faced by Palestinian camps, noting that the main goal of this cooperation is to ensure that camp residents experience tangible interventions and real projects in the field of economic empowerment to enhance their resilience.

For his part, Mr. Anwar Hammam, Deputy Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, stated that this project comes as a continuation of the achievements of the Palestine Camps Improvement Project (PALCIP), thus reinforcing cumulative efforts to serve refugees.

Mr. Taha Al-Irani, Deputy Minister of Social Development, affirmed that the Ministry continues to develop its programs to serve refugees and promote social development in the camps, commending the fruitful cooperation with JICA, UNRWA, and the Department of Refugee Affairs in supporting the most vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, Ms. Eri Komukai noted that this project was not easy to approve or implement, explaining that JICA faced internal challenges before its endorsement. However, after visiting several camps and witnessing the humanitarian situation firsthand, she became more convinced of its importance. She added that the project aims to serve the camp residents who are most in need and that JICA will continue supporting the capacities of Palestinian partners to ensure effective implementation and tangible results on the ground. She emphasized that the ongoing cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development, the Department of Refugee Affairs, and UNRWA guarantees the project’s success and sustainability.

Reaffirming the spirit of partnership, Mr. Thaer Jaloud, representing UNRWA, stressed the importance of ongoing coordination with all governmental entities, noting that UNRWA and its social researchers have decades of experience working in the camps and among refugees. He confirmed that UNRWA will work in close partnership with the Department of Refugee Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development to serve the most vulnerable groups in the camps.

The meeting concluded by emphasizing the importance of strengthening this model of multi-stakeholder partnerships that aim to support Palestinian refugees and improve their living conditions in the camps through sustainable development projects that promote stability and human dignity.

It is worth noting that the Community Livelihood Improvement Project in Refugee Camps is a Japanese-Palestinian technical cooperation initiative designed to enhance the economic and social empowerment of refugees in Palestinian camps over the next three years. The project, jointly implemented by JICA, the Department of Refugee Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development, and UNRWA, focuses on implementing community-designed pilot projects to strengthen residents’ resilience, building upon the achievements of the previous Palestine Camps Improvement Project (PALCIP).