MoSD Discusses Cooperation with Sareyyet Ramallah to Enhance Social Services and Empower Youth
Ramallah – Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, stressed the importance of expanding national partnerships and strengthening joint work with community institutions to improve social services for targeted groups and support programs that promote youth participation and volunteerism.
Her remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from Sareyyet Ramallah headed by Jad Qandah, in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection Akram Al-Hafi and Director General of Care Samer Alawneh. The meeting discussed prospects for joint cooperation in the social sector and the development of community intervention programs, particularly in the fields of youth support and volunteer work.
Dr. Hamad highlighted the difficult economic conditions facing Palestine, noting that the continued withholding of clearance revenues and the resulting financial pressures, alongside ongoing violations against the Palestinian people, make it essential to strengthen national cooperation to ensure the continuity of social services for the most vulnerable groups.
She reviewed the range of services provided by the Ministry of Social Development, explaining that the ministry currently offers 18 social services, with plans to expand to 20 services early next year. This expansion will include two new services: licensing the profession of social counseling and licensing community protection and care centers, as part of efforts to regulate the social sector and enhance the quality of professional services provided to citizens.
Dr. Hamad emphasized the importance of investing in youth and expanding opportunities for volunteerism and community engagement, particularly in the most affected areas. She pointed to the need to develop joint programs targeting youth in refugee camps in the northern West Bank, especially in camps in Tulkarm and Jenin, in order to create safe spaces for volunteering and community participation and reduce their exposure to social risks.
She also addressed the needs of several protection and care centers affiliated with the ministry, particularly Dar Al Amal for Observation and Social Care, stressing the importance of supporting these centers and securing the funding needed to rehabilitate their infrastructure and strengthen their capacity to respond.
For its part, the Sareyyet Ramallah delegation reviewed its key programs in volunteer work, youth activities, and community clubs, emphasizing the importance of harnessing young people’s energy and directing it toward effective community initiatives that promote participation and social responsibility.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continuing technical discussions to identify areas of potential cooperation and develop joint initiatives that support youth and strengthen social responses in priority sectors.