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.
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MoSD Launches Large-Scale Humanitarian Aid During Eid Al-Adha
The Ministry of Social Development has launched a wide-ranging package of humanitarian interventions during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, targeting poor and displaced families across the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The initiative reflects the scale of the social response required under the current humanitarian circumstances and includes the distribution of more than 21,600 Qurbani meat portions in cooperation with humanitarian organizations and national partners. The Ministry confirmed that animal slaughtering will take place on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, while distribution activities will be carried out through the Ministry’s directorates in 12 governorates during the second and third days of Eid. Distribution will follow approved mechanisms and criteria to ensure assistance reaches the most vulnerable families. Directorate teams will deliver the meat portions to village councils and municipalities for onward distribution to beneficiary households across targeted areas. The Ministry noted that these interventions primarily focus on displaced families in the northern West Bank, as well as Bedouin communities at risk of forced displacement, particularly in the governorates of Jericho and Tubas, in addition to poor and marginalized families throughout the West Bank. The interventions are being implemented in partnership with the French Humanitarian Aid Organization, ANERA, and the Preventive Security Service, alongside several charitable associations, humanitarian organizations, and supporting entities, including the Compassionate Hearts Association, Living with Dignity Association, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Foundation, the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), Multameen Al Khair Association, Farkha Al Khair Association, as well as contributions from individual donors. The interventions also include the distribution of approximately 2,170 Eid clothing packages, shopping vouchers, and garments for children, vulnerable families, and orphans, particularly in displacement areas. In addition, more than 1,300 food and relief parcels will be distributed across several governorates, while nearly 19,700 sacks of flour have been provided as part of efforts to strengthen food security for affected families. In the Gaza Strip, the Ministry’s humanitarian interventions, implemented in cooperation with the Palestine Tomorrow Community Development Association, include the distribution of 17,000 Qurbani meat portions, benefiting 4,000 orphans and 13,000 highly vulnerable families during the Eid holiday. In addition, 3,000 Eid clothing items have already been distributed to orphans and the most vulnerable families, alongside 100 newborn care packages for highly vulnerable households. Furthermore, during the past week, 3,000 hot meals of rice and meat were distributed to residents of shelters and orphaned children as part of ongoing efforts to alleviate the severe humanitarian conditions facing people in Gaza. The Ministry emphasized that these interventions are being carried out as part of its national and social responsibility to support the most vulnerable groups and strengthen the resilience of citizens amid challenging humanitarian and economic conditions. It also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing coordination with partners to expand the humanitarian response and reach as many families in need as possible throughout the Eid holiday.
MoSD Holds the Fifth Steering Committee Meeting of the Youth Protection and Civic Engagement Programme in Partnership with the Belgian Development Agency
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development convened today the fifth Steering Committee meeting of the Youth Protection and Civic Engagement Programme, implemented in partnership with the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel). The meeting was attended by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief Affairs; Mr. Rassem Swan, National Strategic Advisor at Enabel; and representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, and partner organizations involved in the implementation of the programme. Opening the meeting, Dr. Hamad highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership with the Belgian Government and the Belgian Development Agency, expressing appreciation for their continued support to the Palestinian people amid escalating humanitarian and social challenges. She emphasized that the meeting provided an important opportunity to review progress achieved under the programme, discuss priorities for the next phase, and strengthen mechanisms for joint cooperation. The Minister reviewed the difficult humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the profound humanitarian, social, and psychological consequences of the war on children, youth, women, and Palestinian families, as well as the growing challenges facing Palestinian communities in the West Bank. She stressed the importance of strengthening the national social protection system and enhancing its capacity to respond to increasing needs. Dr. Hamad also emphasized the importance of advancing national social protection systems and accelerating digital transformation efforts, including the National Social Registry, given its role in improving targeting mechanisms, unifying data systems, strengthening coordination among partners, and reducing duplication in the provision of services and assistance. For his part, Mr. Rassem Swan, National Strategic Advisor at Enabel, reaffirmed the importance of the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and highlighted the Agency’s commitment to continuing its support for national efforts aimed at protecting and empowering youth, expanding their civic engagement, and building on the achievements realized in recent years. During the meeting, Project Manager Mr. Hani Al-Deek presented progress achieved under the Youth Protection and Civic Engagement Programme, highlighting key results in the areas of youth protection, mental health and psychosocial support, prevention of and response to gender-based violence, civic engagement, and updates on programme implementation and existing partnerships. Participants also reviewed the programme portfolio and future work plans, including proposals to extend the programme through the end of 2028 and proposed adjustments to interventions in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in response to evolving circumstances and increasing needs on the ground. The Minister stressed the importance of strengthening field-level coordination with Ministry teams, particularly regarding interventions related to child and youth protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and gender-based violence, in order to ensure complementarity of efforts and avoid duplication of services and interventions. In the context of discussions on proposed interventions in Hebron Governorate, Dr. Hamad addressed the issue of youth protection and service centers, emphasizing that any initiative to establish or support new centers should be based on a clear assessment of existing needs and service gaps and should align with national priorities. She further noted the existence of a functioning center in Hebron that could be further utilized and strengthened, stressing the importance of harmonizing efforts among partners and directing resources in a manner that promotes service integration, avoids duplication and overlap, ensures efficient use of resources, and maximizes benefits for target groups. Participants also discussed growing needs in the northern West Bank, particularly in the field of child and youth protection, emphasizing the importance of directing interventions based on needs assessments and identified service gaps. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants agreed to strengthen coordination and joint planning between the Ministry and partner organizations. The Ministry of Social Development and the Belgian Development Agency reaffirmed their commitment to continuing cooperation in support of Palestinian youth and to strengthening social protection services, mental health support, and civic participation initiatives.
