MoSD Completes the Disbursement of Financial Assistance to Displaced Families in the Northern West Bank
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development announced the completion of cash assistance disbursements to displaced families who had not received any cash payments or rental assistance during the current year, in cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the Department of Refugee Affairs. This comes within the framework of joint efforts to bridge the gap discussed during the most recent coordination meeting among the relevant stakeholders.
The Ministry explained that over the past few days, rental assistance payments were disbursed to 1,633 displaced families who had not been included in previous interventions. Procedures are currently being finalized to disburse assistance to an additional 187 families during the coming week, at a rate of NIS 1,000 per month for three months, with a total value of NIS 3,000 per family. The Ministry confirmed that these families had not received any cash assistance or rental support during 2025, ensuring the inclusion of all eligible displaced families in the support provided.
The Ministry noted that this intervention falls within a broader response implemented throughout 2025 to support displaced families in the camps of the northern West Bank. The value of multi-purpose cash assistance exceeded NIS 32 million, disbursed through 22,430 cash payments across three distribution rounds, at a value of NIS 1,640 per payment, in coordination with the Cash Working Group (CWG). Some families benefited from more than one payment in accordance with the approved targeting criteria.
Regarding rental assistance interventions, the Ministry indicated that the number of families who received rental cash support through UNRWA and its partners reached 7,786 families in the Jenin and Tulkarm camps. In addition, a direct government contribution was implemented to support rental assistance for 530 displaced families residing in housing facilities of the Arab American University in Jenin, with a total value of NIS 326,000, aimed at alleviating the living burdens on these families.
The Ministry further stated that the number of displaced families registered in the National Social Registry in the governorates of Jenin and Tulkarm reached 8,071 families, who were targeted through integrated cash and relief interventions. These also included non-food item (NFI) interventions implemented in November 2025, with a total value of NIS 1.1617 million, comprising the distribution of 13,800 non-food items, 1,000 clothing vouchers, and 600 kitchen kits, aimed at improving shelter conditions for displaced families.
The Ministry of Social Development affirmed that these efforts are carried out within the framework of continuous institutional coordination with UNRWA, the Department of Refugee Affairs, and UN agencies, in line with the outcomes of the most recent coordination meeting. It stressed its commitment to continuing efforts to address any existing gaps and to ensure that support reaches all eligible displaced families in the camps of the northern West Bank.
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MoSD Announces the Launch of Procedures to Develop a Regional Ageing Index in Cooperation with ESCWA
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief, Dr. Samah Hamad, announced that the Ministry of Social Development has initiated procedures to develop a regional ageing index in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The initiative aims to develop a regional tool to measure the situation of older persons and identify their needs, contributing to the development of policies, programmes, and services provided for them. Dr. Hamad affirmed that the Ministry has given this project high priority at the current stage, given its importance in strengthening the data system related to older persons and providing scientific indicators that help assess their situation, identify their needs, and support evidence-based planning and policymaking, thereby improving the quality of services and social protection provided to this group. She explained that the project builds on the discussions held during the workshops organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the participation of national focal points on ageing and older persons, as well as national statistical offices from Arab countries. These discussions underscored the importance of developing a unified regional index that serves as a scientific reference for measuring the situation of older persons and monitoring progress in protecting their rights and improving their quality of life. Dr. Hamad added that the index will support the Ministry's efforts to develop national policies and programmes for older persons by strengthening the use of data and statistics in setting priorities and guiding interventions, in line with the demographic changes and the social and humanitarian challenges facing the region. She noted that the Ministry has begun completing the necessary technical and administrative procedures for implementing the project through coordination with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, in accordance with the approved mechanism for cooperation with ESCWA, in preparation for the commencement of joint work on developing the index. Dr. Hamad emphasized that the development of the index reflects the Ministry of Social Development's commitment to strengthening cooperation with regional and international institutions and benefiting from technical expertise in developing modern data-driven tools that support the rights of older persons, contribute to building more efficient and responsive social policies, and enhance their quality of life and dignity.
MoSD Signs Agreement with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society to Strengthen Protection Services
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development today signed a cooperation agreement with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), with support and funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aimed at strengthening the protection system for women and girls and ensuring the continuity and development of protection, case management, psychosocial support, and empowerment services. The agreement seeks to improve the quality of services provided, particularly for women and girls who are survivors of violence or at risk of violence. The signing ceremony was attended by Akram Al-Hafi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection; Mohammad Al-Qarm, Director General of the General Directorate of Family Affairs; and Hiba Jebat, Head of the Gender Unit. Representing the Palestinian Medical Relief Society were Dr. Suhail Aqabneh, Director General; Dr. Jameel Hamad, Jenin Area Director; Dr. Maryam Sawalmeh, Programmes and Projects Coordinator; and Bahia Omrah, Director of External Relations and Projects. Also in attendance were Shruti Ho, Assistant Representative and Programme Manager at the United Nations Population Fund, and Sana Assi, Gender Analyst. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the Ministry and the Society to strengthen protection services for women and girls, ensure the continued operation of the Protection Centre in Jenin Governorate, and provide case management, psychosocial support, awareness-raising, and empowerment services. It also includes capacity-building for staff and the development of service delivery mechanisms. Funded by UNFPA, the agreement provides for the recruitment of 15 staff members, including 13 personnel whose previous contracts had ended to ensure the continuity of protection services, in addition to creating two new positions to support the Protection Centre in Jenin Governorate, without imposing any direct financial obligations on the Ministry of Social Development. Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief, Dr. Samah Hamad, stated that the agreement represents an important step toward strengthening the social protection system and enhancing services provided to women and girls, particularly survivors of violence. She noted that programmes addressing the protection of women and children are among the most complex and sensitive programmes implemented by the Ministry in light of growing humanitarian and social needs. She stressed that strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations and international partners is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the continuity and further development of services, while guaranteeing their accessibility to the most vulnerable groups. For his part, Dr. Suhail Aqabneh, Director General of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, stated that the agreement reflects the long-standing partnership between the Society and the Ministry of Social Development and contributes to ensuring the continuity of protection and psychosocial support services, particularly in Jenin Governorate. He affirmed that the Society will continue working alongside the Ministry to further develop services and reach those most in need, ensuring a more effective and sustainable response. Meanwhile, Shruti Ho, Assistant Representative and Programme Manager at UNFPA, reaffirmed the Fund’s continued support for the Ministry of Social Development in strengthening protection services for women and girls. He noted that the agreement’s funding is intended to ensure the continuity of essential services and strengthen the capacities of national institutions. He also highlighted that UNFPA is working to assess and improve services provided through safe spaces for women, contributing to better service distribution and enhanced access for beneficiaries. The parties affirmed that the agreement marks an important step in strengthening partnerships among government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners, contributing to the development and sustainability of social protection services. They also stressed the importance of continued coordination to ensure that protection, psychosocial support, and empowerment services reach women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
