Workshop on Social Policies to Enhance Palestinian Food Security
A workshop titled “Food Security in Palestine between Sustainability and Resource Scarcity” was held, addressing the current state of food security and its importance as a fundamental pillar for protecting Palestinian citizens and strengthening their resilience, particularly in light of economic challenges and restrictions on resources. The workshop highlighted the impact of social and economic policies in ensuring access to food for Palestinian households, and the role of cross-sectoral integration in achieving food justice and sustainability.
The workshop was inaugurated with the participation of H.E. Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, and H.E. Minister of Agriculture Prof. Rizq Salimiya, in the presence of a number of ministers, representatives of official institutions, the private sector, civil society, academics, and representatives of relevant international organizations. The opening session included welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shaer, President of Al-Quds Open University; Major General Habis Al-Sharif, Director General of the Palestine Institute for National Security Research; and Mr. Mousa Abu Zeid, Chairman of the Board of the Palestinian National School of Administration, all of whom emphasized the importance of unifying efforts and integrating policies to address food security challenges in Palestine amid sustainability concerns and resource scarcity.
Dr. Samah Hamad from the Ministry of Social Development participated in a panel discussion, during which she emphasized the Ministry’s pivotal role in addressing food security issues from a social perspective centered on the Palestinian family. She noted that the Ministry provides 18 social protection services targeting the most vulnerable groups, particularly impoverished families and those affected by poverty and displacement. She explained that the Ministry’s interventions include direct food assistance, a food voucher system in coordination with relevant partners, as well as the provision of nutritional supplements for children, to improve nutrition and protect the most vulnerable groups.
Dr. Hamad added that the Ministry works continuously to strengthen integration among government institutions, international partners, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that support reaches all families in need in an organized and effective manner. She stressed the focus on the most vulnerable families in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, preventing duplication of services, and directing assistance in line with national priorities.
During the session, numerous questions and discussions were raised by participants and were addressed directly by the ministers and speakers, allowing for clarification of many practical aspects and real challenges facing the food security sector. The workshop concluded by emphasizing that strengthening food security requires a clear vision and practical policies focused on resilience and integration among all stakeholders, to ensure sustainable and equitable access to food for all Palestinian citizens.
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