MoSD and Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics Organize a National Dialogue Session on Disability Statistics in Palestine
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development, in coordination and cooperation with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), organized today a national dialogue session entitled: “Disability Statistics in Palestine: Current Challenges and a Future Vision for Inclusion.” The session comes as part of ongoing efforts to develop the national statistical system and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
The session was attended by H.E. Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs; Mr. Sufian Abu Harb, Acting President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics; H.E. Mr. Taha Al-Irani, Deputy Minister of Social Development; Mr. Akram Al-Hafi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Family Care and Protection; Mr. Mahdi Hamdan, Advisor to the Minister of State for Relief Affairs; Mr. Salah Al-Lahham, Programme Manager at the World Food Programme (participating virtually); and Mr. Majdi Mar’i, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Union of Persons with Disabilities (participating virtually), in addition to representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions and international partners.
Dr. Hamad opened the session, emphasizing that issues concerning persons with disabilities are a key priority on the Palestinian government’s agenda, and that their rights are fundamental and must be protected and strengthened. She noted that the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip has led to a significant increase in injuries and permanent disabilities, necessitating a comprehensive national response based on accurate data and clear planning.
She further stressed the importance of establishing an integrated national statistical system grounded in scientific principles, as a key tool for advocating rights, guiding resource allocation, and shaping social and developmental policies. She also highlighted a number of government measures aimed at enhancing services for persons with disabilities and expanding their coverage.
For his part, Mr. Sufian Abu Harb affirmed that disability is not a static condition, but a dynamic reality influenced by crises, conflicts, and socio-economic conditions. He emphasized that investing in accurate and comprehensive data is essential for developing fair policies and effective programmes that respond to real needs, noting that disability will be a priority area in the upcoming Population and Housing Census.
In turn, Mr. Salah Al-Lahham highlighted the strong partnership between the World Food Programme, the Ministry of Social Development, and PCBS, noting that persons with disabilities are a key target group in both humanitarian and development programmes. He reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to providing technical and financial support to the outcomes of the session.
In his intervention, Mr. Majdi Mar’i commended government efforts to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities, stressing the importance of basing national plans and strategies on accurate data that reflects reality and promotes full inclusion across all sectors.
The session continued with a presentation delivered by Ms. Reham Mousa from PCBS, which addressed the current status of disability statistics in Palestine, the historical development of methodologies used, and national measurement tools aligned with international standards, in addition to key challenges and future directions for improving disability-related data.
The session also featured an interactive discussion and interventions from participants and representatives of relevant institutions, including Ms. Fidaa Tu’am. Discussions covered lessons learned from previous experiences, analysis of gaps and challenges related to reaching persons with diverse disabilities, and mechanisms to enhance their inclusion within the national statistical system, leading to practical recommendations to support development planning and decision-making.
The session was concluded by Ms. Fidaa Tu’am, Director General of Population and Social Statistics at PCBS, who emphasized the importance of consultative and participatory approaches among all national stakeholders to better serve persons with disabilities amid the current challenging conditions.
The session concluded with a reaffirmation of continued coordination and joint efforts among all partners to further develop disability statistics and enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in policies, programmes, and services, thereby promoting social justice and inclusive development in Palestine.
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Dr. Samah Hamad Discusses with the Birzeit Elderly Club Association Ways to Enhance Elderly Care and Develop Services Provided to Seniors
Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Samah Hamad, discussed today with representatives of the Birzeit Elderly Club Association ways to enhance care services provided to senior citizens, as well as mechanisms to develop joint cooperation to ensure the sustainability and improvement of these services. The discussion took place during a meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters, attended by the Minister’s Advisor Doaa Wadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection Affairs Akram Al-Hafi, along with several ministry employees and representatives from the Associations Department. Representing the association were Chairwoman of the Board Dr. Mai Al-Kaila, Club Director Najwa Khoury, and Vice Chairman of the Board Daoud Mansour Shaheen. The meeting addressed the current status of the association and the services it provides to the elderly, in addition to the financial and administrative challenges it faces. Participants also discussed mechanisms to strengthen the partnership with the ministry in order to ensure the continuity and development of services. The participants further discussed the legal status of the association and the procedures for transforming the club from a branch affiliated with a foreign association into an independent local association, as well as completing licensing procedures and opening a dedicated bank account. In addition, they reviewed the “service purchase” file related to care services provided to senior citizens and the move toward reactivating the agreement to ensure the continued provision of services within the community environment for the elderly. Legal issues related to outstanding financial dues and accumulated debts owed to the former foundations were also discussed, with efforts focused on finding appropriate legal solutions in cooperation with the relevant authorities. Dr. Samah Hamad affirmed the ministry’s commitment to developing social care and protection services, noting that the ministry is working to regulate and develop the social services sector and follow up on the legal frameworks governing the work of institutions and social centers. She also highlighted ongoing efforts related to licensing and regulating psychological and social counseling professions and services to ensure the quality of services provided to target groups. She praised the humanitarian and community role played by the association in caring for the elderly and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with local community institutions to serve the most vulnerable groups. For their part, Chairwoman Dr. Mai Al-Kaila and Club Director Najwa Khoury reviewed the nature of the services provided by the association to senior citizens, stressing that the association continues to deliver its services despite financial challenges, thanks to the efforts of staff members and volunteers who continue working to ensure service continuity. They also highlighted the importance of partnerships with several Palestinian universities, especially Birzeit University, particularly in the fields of nursing and pharmacy, due to their role in supporting the health and social services provided to the elderly. The meeting also addressed the ministry’s plan to expand the daytime care services model for senior citizens across the country through cooperation with local councils and municipalities, while benefiting from the experience of the Birzeit Elderly Club Association as a practical model in this field, within a broader effort to implement pilot projects in a number of local authorities. At the conclusion of the meeting, the minister confirmed her intention to visit the association’s headquarters soon in preparation for signing the new “service purchase” agreement once the necessary legal procedures are completed, thereby enhancing the sustainability of care services provided to senior citizens.
MoSD Implements Large-Scale Intervention and Distributes Assistive Devices to 285 Persons with Disabilities
Ramallah – In a step aimed at helping persons with disabilities overcome the challenges they face in their daily lives, the Ministry of Social Development, in cooperation with the Arab Bank, carried out a comprehensive field intervention to provide assistive devices to 285 beneficiaries with disabilities across several governorates. This initiative comes within the framework of a grant provided by the bank in response to the growing needs of the most vulnerable groups amid difficult humanitarian and economic conditions. The intervention was based on accurate field assessments conducted by the Ministry to identify the actual needs of beneficiaries. The assistance included the distribution of a variety of assistive devices, including 50 wheelchairs, 40 wheelchairs for children, 60 walkers, 30 medical mattresses, and 80 white canes, all tailored to meet the health and mobility needs of each beneficiary. The intervention also included supplying women’s protection centers with assistive devices, in a step aimed at promoting inclusion and integration of issues related to women with disabilities, and enabling these centers to provide services that are more responsive to their needs, ensuring their safe and equitable access to protection services. This intervention comes at a time when the challenges facing persons with disabilities are increasing, particularly amid limited resources and rising demand for essential services. These assistive devices are considered indispensable tools for mobility and independence, enabling beneficiaries to access services and participate in their communities in a normal and dignified manner. The Ministry praised the support of the Arab Bank and its active contribution to the success of this intervention, emphasizing that such partnerships with the private sector embody the true meaning of social responsibility and enhance the Ministry’s ability to reach the largest possible number of beneficiaries with meaningful and high-quality services. The Ministry further affirmed that this intervention reflects its firm commitment to strengthening the social protection system and expanding the scope of its services. It stressed its continued efforts to implement similar interventions in cooperation with partners, contributing to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and enhancing their resilience under the current circumstances.
