MoSD Organizes a Farewell and Recognition Ceremony for a Number of Its Employees in Appreciation of Their Professional Service Amid the Current Circumstances
Ramallah – In light of the exceptional circumstances and escalating humanitarian and social challenges facing Palestine, along with the growing living needs of Palestinian families as a result of the ongoing aggression and its economic and social repercussions, the Ministry of Social Development continues to fulfill its national and humanitarian role in serving citizens, relying on its staff who have, over the years, formed a key pillar in strengthening the social protection system.
This came during a farewell and recognition ceremony organized by the Ministry for a number of its employees who completed their official years of service, in appreciation of their dedication and sincere efforts throughout their professional careers in serving الوطن and citizens. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad, the Ministry’s Undersecretary, H.E. Mr. Taha Al-Irani, assistant undersecretaries, and a number of Ministry employees.
The recognition included Mr. Bassam Saad Sayel, Advisor to the Minister of Social Development for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (Deaf), in addition to a group of employees and staff members who completed their service or were referred to retirement, in appreciation of the professional and humanitarian contributions they made throughout their years of work.
Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development, affirmed that this recognition is not limited to one individual, but rather comes as an expression of loyalty and appreciation to all honored employees who contributed to developing institutional work and serving our people. They also played a prominent role in strengthening the social protection system and promoting the values of commitment and dedication within the institution.
The Minister praised the role undertaken by the honored employees, particularly during the difficult stages Palestine has gone through, as they continued to perform their professional and humanitarian duties with efficiency and responsibility, contributing to supporting marginalized groups and strengthening the resilience of Palestinian society.
The Minister concluded by emphasizing that the Ministry’s staff will remain a symbol of dedication and national service, and that those who leave their official positions will continue to have a lasting impact on the institution’s journey and its social mission.
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Access to Services & Information in an Understandable Language Is a Fundamental Right of Persons with Disabilities
Ramallah – On the occasion of the International Day of Sign Languages, observed on 23 September, the Ministry of Social Development affirmed that sign language represents a fundamental right for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, and that ensuring accessible communication and access to government, social, health, and educational services forms part of the right to equality, participation, and independence. The Ministry explained that its role in supporting persons with disabilities is not limited to providing assistive devices, but also includes case management and social follow-up, health insurance, referrals to rehabilitation services, provision of wheelchairs, hearing aids, eyeglasses, hearing and vision examinations, medical supplies, protection and care services, economic empowerment, and linking persons with disabilities to specialized services and partner organizations. During 2026, the Ministry continued to develop its interventions for persons with disabilities through its directorates, centers, and partnerships with specialized institutions, with a focus on improving accessibility, facilitating access to services, and promoting social inclusion. The Ministry’s interventions also include providing assistive devices and technologies, following up on the most vulnerable cases, connecting them with rehabilitation, education, protection, and social support services, and working with partners to improve services in a manner that reflects different types of disabilities and the specific needs of each case. The Ministry stressed that sign language is not an additional service or a secondary support tool, but a fundamental means of exercising rights. The absence of accessible communication may prevent a deaf person from understanding a service, expressing their needs, reporting violence or abuse, or accessing care and protection. Providing reasonable accommodations and information in accessible formats is therefore an essential component of quality social services. This issue is of particular importance in the Gaza Strip, where war-related injuries have increased the number of people requiring rehabilitation services and assistive devices. Recent humanitarian reports indicate that around 2% of Gaza’s population is now living with serious conflict-related injuries, while shortages of rehabilitation equipment and assistive products, including hearing aids and mobility devices, persist, and the entry of such supplies continues to face prolonged delays. Reports also indicate an ongoing need for specialized services for children with disabilities in Gaza, including assistive devices, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and referral services. At the same time, children with hearing, mobility, or visual disabilities face additional barriers to accessing protection, education, and information in overcrowded displacement settings. In July alone, hundreds of children with disabilities received multisectoral support, including cash assistance, assistive devices, rehabilitation, psychosocial services, and specialized referrals. The Ministry emphasized that strengthening sign language services and accessibility should extend across government services, health and educational institutions, protection and shelter centers, humanitarian information, warnings, and emergency guidance, ensuring that deaf persons can access information at the same time and to the same standard as others. The Ministry called on government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and donors to increase investment in sign language interpretation services, training for service providers, expanded digital and physical accessibility, provision of hearing and other assistive devices, and support for rehabilitation and inclusion programmes. It stressed that building an inclusive social protection system begins with removing the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from independently and safely accessing their rights and services.
Psychosocial Support, Case Management, and Referral Are Key Components of the Social Protection System for the Most Vulnerable Groups
Ministry of Social Development: Displacement, Loss, Violence, and Economic Pressures Require an Integrated Psychosocial ResponseRamallah – On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on 10 September, the Ministry of Social Development emphasized the importance of strengthening psychosocial support and community-based protection services and expanding early access to support, particularly for groups facing prolonged and severe pressures resulting from displacement, loss, violence, poverty, and family and social instability. The Ministry noted that the 2026 World Suicide Prevention Day theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” focuses on reducing stigma, creating space for safe conversations about psychological distress, and strengthening the ability of individuals and families to seek help and access appropriate services at the right time. The World Health Organization also emphasizes that prevention requires policies and services that ensure access to care and support, rather than relying on awareness-raising alone. The Ministry explained that mental health is an integral part of social protection, and that its role extends beyond providing material assistance to families to include psychosocial support, case management, family follow-up, referral to specialized services, protection from violence, and interventions targeting children, women, orphans, older persons, persons with disabilities, displaced families, and other vulnerable groups. The Ministry stressed that accumulated economic and social pressures, combined with repeated displacement and the loss of homes, sources of income, or family members, can have a direct impact on individuals’ mental health, particularly children, women, and families living in vulnerable circumstances. This requires an early and integrated response that combines psychosocial support, protection, and access to essential services. Since the beginning of 2026 through the end of August, the Ministry of Social Development has delivered approximately 135,000 social protection and care services and interventions across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These included protection services for women, children, and juveniles; care for orphans; services for persons with disabilities and older persons; psychosocial support; case management; family follow-up; and referrals to specialized services. The Ministry also emphasized the importance of working with families and the wider community surrounding individuals, noting that effective social protection requires strengthening family and community support networks, alleviating economic and social pressures, and connecting individuals with available services. These factors constitute an essential part of prevention and of strengthening people’s ability to cope and remain resilient. The Ministry of Social Development called on local and international organizations and partners to expand psychosocial support programmes, strengthen the capacities of professionals working in protection and case management, and further develop referral pathways and coordination across the social, health, and education sectors, to ensure a more comprehensive response for individuals and families facing accumulated psychological and social pressures.
