MoSD Participates in Emergency Meeting of Arab Social Affairs Ministers and Reviews the Situation in Palestine
Ramallah – Minister of Social Development Dr. Samah Hamad participated today, Thursday, in the emergency meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, held via Zoom and organized by the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States – Social Affairs Sector, with the participation of a number of Arab ministers and officials, as part of ongoing follow-up on humanitarian and social developments across the region.
The meeting was held within the framework of an extraordinary session of the Council’s Executive Bureau, in implementation of the directives of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, to discuss the repercussions of escalating humanitarian crises in several Arab countries, foremost among them Palestine.
In her remarks, Dr. Hamad reviewed the latest humanitarian developments in the Palestinian territories, noting that the Gaza Strip is facing a catastrophic reality amid the ongoing aggression. She stated that the number of martyrs has exceeded 72,000, with children and women accounting for nearly 60% of the total, while the number of injured has surpassed 171,000, a significant proportion of whom have become persons with disabilities.
She added that approximately 1.9 million people have been displaced within the Gaza Strip under extremely harsh humanitarian conditions, amid severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare services, alongside recorded deaths due to hunger and cold—particularly among children— in addition to the widespread destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and universities.
The minister also addressed the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, in light of escalating settler attacks and military measures, which have led to economic decline and rising unemployment rates, as well as the impact of road closures and checkpoints on citizens’ mobility and livelihoods.
Dr. Hamad emphasized that the financial blockade and continued withholding of clearance revenues severely limit the Palestinian government’s ability to respond to growing needs, at a time when humanitarian assistance in Gaza covers no more than 20% of actual needs.
She also highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Social Development in confronting these challenges, particularly in the areas of digital transformation, the development of electronic payment systems, and the expansion of the national social registry database, all of which contribute to improving response efficiency and ensuring that assistance reaches those who are most in need.
In concluding her statement, Dr. Hamad called for enhanced Arab support to the Palestinian public budget, intensified political and diplomatic efforts to end the aggression, continued support to UNRWA, and a stronger focus on direct cash assistance as an effective tool to strengthen citizens’ resilience.
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MoSD and UNICEF Discuss Strengthening Humanitarian Response and Social Protection in Gaza
The Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Samah Hamad, received today a delegation from UNICEF headed by the organization’s Representative in Palestine, Jonathan Veitch, to discuss ways to strengthen joint cooperation in the fields of social protection and support for affected children and families, particularly in the Gaza Strip, in addition to reviewing a number of shared humanitarian and development programs and projects. Representing the ministry at the meeting were the Minister’s Advisor, Doaa Wadi; the Advisor to the Ministry of State for Relief Affairs, Mahdi Hamdan; the Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection, Akram Al-Hafi; and the Director General of Childhood Affairs, Mohammad Al-Qarm, alongside several staff members from the ministry’s general administrations and specialists. A number of UNICEF delegation members also attended the meeting. During the meeting, Dr. Hamad emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership with UNICEF, praising the organization’s role in supporting the social protection sector and assisting Palestinian children and families amid the difficult humanitarian conditions, particularly with the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip and the worsening humanitarian and living conditions. The Minister reviewed the efforts led by the ministry to reorganize the social protection sector through the development of the National Social Protection Network Protocol, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Bank. The initiative aims to regulate social assistance resources, unify beneficiary databases, ensure aid and services reach the most vulnerable groups, and prevent duplication in assistance delivery. The meeting also addressed the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and the impact of the war on children, particularly in the areas of education, mental health, social protection, and children with disabilities. The UNICEF delegation affirmed its continued efforts to provide psychological and social support, establish temporary educational spaces for children within the Gaza Strip, and continue delivering educational and medical supplies, clothing, and humanitarian aid. Both parties also discussed the “The Gaza We Want” initiative, implemented by UNICEF with the participation of thousands of children in Gaza. The initiative aims to listen to children’s aspirations and future needs and involve them in shaping their vision for the future of the Gaza Strip, while also highlighting the importance of strengthening children’s participation and protecting their rights under the current circumstances. The meeting further discussed the importance of enhancing field coordination within the Gaza Strip and exchanging data and information related to assistance and services provided to families and children, in a way that strengthens integration between governmental institutions and international partners and contributes to improving the humanitarian response and social services provided to citizens. The meeting witnessed the signing of a joint work plan between the ministry and UNICEF, in addition to the signing of an agreement concerning aid funded by China, which includes winter supplies, clothing, and medical assistance designated for the Gaza Strip. At the conclusion of the meeting, commemorative shields were exchanged between the two sides, reaffirming the depth of the partnership and cooperation between the ministry and UNICEF, and expressing appreciation for the joint efforts aimed at supporting Palestinian children and families and strengthening their resilience in the face of ongoing humanitarian challenges.
