MoSD Signs Agreement with Taawon Foundation to Support Care Centers and Social Services

The Palestinian Ministry of Social Development afirmed the importance of partnership with civil society organizations and national associations as a fundamental pillar in supporting and sustaining care centers and social services, particularly those dedicated to persons with disabilities and the most vulnerable groups. The Ministry stressed that integration between the governmental sector and civil institutions strengthens the ability to provide high-quality and sustainable services to citizens.

Within this framework, the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development signed a partnership agreement today with Taawon Foundation to operate Al-Thuraya Center for Persons with Disabilities, which is dedicated to caring for persons with severe disabilities. This step aims to strengthen the social protection and care system in Nablus Governorate.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Minister of Social Development, Dr. Samah Hamad; the Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection, Akram Al-Hafi; and the Director General of the General Administration for Persons with Disabilities, alongside a team from the General Administration for the Elderly, the Minister’s Advisor, and representatives of several partner associations and institutions. Directors of the ministry’s general administrations, the Director of the Directorate of Social Development in Nablus, and the staff of Al-Thuraya Center also participated virtually via video conference.

Minister Hamad praised the efforts of the ministry’s staff and Al-Thuraya Center employees, who continued working with determination and responsibility to revive and operate the center despite the challenges and difficult circumstances. She affirmed that the ministry is making intensive efforts to strengthen genuine partnerships with civil society institutions in a way that guarantees the sustainability and development of social services.

Representing Taawon Foundation, the agreement was signed by its Director General, Dr. Tareq Imtairah, in the presence of Project Coordinator Ms. Lina Masouda. Dr. Imtairah emphasized that this partnership stems from the institution’s national duty to work side by side with official and civil sectors, praising what he described as the “Palestinian blessing” of cooperation with a national governmental institution serving a group that requires specialized and sustainable care.

Hamad explained that the center aims to fill an important gap in the national care system for persons with severe disabilities, noting that Qader for Community Development Foundation will oversee the technical aspect related to providing specialized services within the center.

The Minister also affirmed that the partnership with Taawon Foundation comes within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen orphan care programs and provide social, psychological, and educational support for orphans, contributing to improving the quality of services provided to this group and enhancing opportunities for their integration and empowerment within society. She also announced that a recommendation had been submitted to the Council of Ministers to convert the center’s kitchen into “Takiyat Al-Thuraya” (Al-Thuraya Community Kitchen) to serve needy families in the Khillet Al-Iman area, while also meeting the center’s operational needs, in partnership with Al-Tadamon Charitable Society.

During the meeting, participants also reviewed the most pressing operational requirements needed to begin the center’s actual work, foremost among them the provision of a dedicated bus to transport persons with disabilities to and from the center, as this is considered an essential requirement to ensure beneficiaries’ access to services.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants expressed their gratitude to all supporting and partner institutions, praising the role of Taawon Foundation and donors in supporting efforts to operate the center and enhance services provided to persons with severe disabilities in Nablus Governorate.