Dr. Samah Hamad: Expanding Dar Al-Amal Centers Is a Step Toward Strengthening Child and Juvenile Protection in Palestine

Ramallah – Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, emphasized the importance of strengthening national and international partnerships to develop social protection and care services, particularly for children in conflict with the law and children at risk.

Her remarks came during a meeting organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development at Dar Al‑Amal for Observation and Social Care, with broad participation from international organizations, municipalities, local institutions, partner associations, and ministry staff.

The ministry noted that child protection is among the 18 social services it provides, with special attention given to children within the ministry’s policies and programs, reflecting its responsibility to ensure comprehensive protection and care while safeguarding children’s rights.

The meeting aimed to strengthen coordination and unify efforts among relevant stakeholders to improve the quality of services provided to targeted groups and to enhance protection and rehabilitation approaches in line with national and international standards.

The gathering also included a Ramadan iftar bringing together children from the Child Protection and Development Center and Dar Al-Amal, alongside partners, institutional representatives, and ministry staff, in an atmosphere reflecting solidarity and social cohesion.

During the meeting, Dr. Hamad announced the launch of the “Friends of Dar Al-Amal” initiative, noting that Dar Al-Amal and the Child Protection and Development Center represent advanced national models for child care. She added that these centers are among the first government facilities affiliated with the ministry specializing in protection and rehabilitation services.

Dr. Hamad stressed that the work in this sector is based on a philosophy that views the child as a victim in need of protection, care, and reintegration—not as a criminal. She explained that this approach reflects the evolution of Palestinian social work from a punitive model to a protection-based approach, grounded in the Juvenile Protection Law No. 4 of 2016 and the Palestinian Child Law.

She also reviewed the current challenges facing the sector, highlighting the exceptional resilience of Palestinian youth. She cited the example of young people in the Gaza Strip who, despite displacement and the loss of homes and family members, managed to continue their education and sit for the high school examinations, demonstrating determination and a strong sense of belonging.

Dr. Hamad praised the partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, describing it as one of the ministry’s key partners supporting the Palestinian government and responding effectively to real needs on the ground. She also acknowledged the contributions of several international organizations, including Secours Populaire Français and other child-protection institutions, as well as civil society organizations.

She further commended the support of Taawon in organizing the meeting and the Ramadan iftar, noting that the event reflected broad community cooperation and contributions from many partners, including municipalities and local councils.

Dr. Hamad also praised the staff working in the Dar Al-Amal residential care facility, emphasizing that they work around the clock to support children, manage cases, and transform difficult circumstances into real success stories by focusing on each case individually from admission through recovery and reintegration.

She explained that the ministry is expanding geographically in protection services by establishing and operating new centers. Work is underway to launch a center in Nablus within a ministry-owned building, as well as another center in Halhul in the southern West Bank, with the goal of keeping children within their natural environments and reducing the need to transfer them between governorates.

During the meeting, Directorate Director Imad Omran delivered a comprehensive presentation on protection and care centers, reviewing the development of Palestinian social work through different phases—from establishment and institution-building, through the period of occupation, to the current phase focusing on strengthening social identity and protection.

He also outlined the mechanisms for case intervention, beginning with a child’s admission to the center, followed by counseling and rehabilitation programs, and culminating in reintegration into society, highlighting several success stories achieved through the efforts of specialized staff.

Statistics presented during the meeting showed that 1,529 children benefited from protection measures in 2025, while 2,494 juvenile cases received services, including cases handled by Dar Al-Amal. Some children were also referred to family-based care, foster families, and care institutions.

A documentary video about the protection centers was also screened, highlighting the services provided, successful experiences, and the positive impact of interventions on children’s lives.

Participants from partner institutions also spoke during the meeting. Ammar Dweik, head of the Independent Commission for Human Rights, praised the ministry’s role and emphasized the importance of focusing on success stories and effective case-management mechanisms.

Meanwhile, Jaco Cilliers, representative of the United Nations Development Programme, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, noting that the experience represents a model that can be built upon, particularly given similarities with international contexts such as South Africa, stressing the need for a supportive environment for raising children.

For his part, Fadi Abbas, head of the Palestinian Bar Association, expressed appreciation for the initiative and affirmed the association’s readiness to provide legal support and assistance as part of its national responsibility.

Representatives from the Family Protection Department and the prosecution also stressed the importance of integrated case management and coordination with protection and women’s counselors who work around the clock to provide better services for children.

Khaled Quzmar reaffirmed the commitment of human rights organizations to continue working in this field, highlighting the importance of regular visits to the center and describing the initiative as one that restores hope, while calling for expanding the experience to other governorates.

Partner institutions, including Terre des Hommes, emphasized the importance of humanitarian and social work in creating positive change in the lives of children and vulnerable groups.

Rabhi Dawla, head of the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Zakat Committee and Beitunia Community Kitchen, also expressed his support for the ministry’s efforts at Dar Al-Amal, praising the humanitarian and rehabilitation work carried out by the staff and affirming continued support for the center.

At the conclusion of the meeting, partners stressed the importance of continued cooperation, strengthening partnerships, and providing the necessary support to develop protection and care centers, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of services while safeguarding the best interests of children and enabling them to live with dignity.