Dr. Samah Hamad Discusses Humanitarian Developments & Strengthening the Social Protection System with International Partners
Ramallah – As part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the humanitarian response and ensure that assistance reaches those most in need, Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, continues her engagements with international and regional partners amid the current humanitarian situation. These meetings aim to enhance coordination and further develop response, relief, and social protection mechanisms.
In this context, Dr. Hamad met with Paula Seearo Emerson, Representative of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The discussion focused on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, particularly in the northern West Bank, and the growing challenges facing citizens and displaced persons under the current circumstances. Dr. Hamad briefed the OCHA representative on the Ministry’s efforts to lead and coordinate the humanitarian response and provide services and assistance to the most vulnerable groups. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen coordination and improve humanitarian response mechanisms to ensure effective outreach to affected populations.
Dr. Hamad also held a meeting with Giovanni Di Girolamo, Head of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and Alexandre Stutzmann, Representative of the European Union. During the meeting, she highlighted key achievements made by the Ministry and the Palestinian Government within the framework of institutional reform and development, as well as progress achieved under the Government Reform Matrix.
Dr. Hamad emphasized the importance of the National Social Registry as a strategic national tool for consolidating national data and improving the targeting of eligible households. She noted that the registry enhances fairness, transparency, and the efficiency of social assistance and service delivery, while helping direct resources and interventions according to citizens’ actual needs.
In a separate meeting with partners of the Humanitarian-Development Nexus Programme, Dr. Hamad outlined the Ministry’s approach to strengthening the integration of humanitarian action and development programmes. This approach supports the transition from emergency response to resilience-building and sustainable development. The meeting also reviewed progress in strengthening the social protection system, enhancing coordination among partners, and reinforcing the central role of the National Social Registry in consolidating national data, improving aid management, and ensuring assistance reaches those who are entitled to receive it. Dr. Hamad stressed that this approach contributes to increasing the effectiveness of humanitarian and development interventions and achieving a more efficient and sustainable response to growing needs.
Throughout the meetings, Dr. Hamad underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts with international partners and strengthening support for the social protection sector. She noted that such cooperation contributes to improving the effectiveness of humanitarian responses, enhancing services provided to citizens, and ensuring that assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries based on principles of fairness, transparency, and efficiency.
For their part, representatives of the international and European institutions reaffirmed their continued support for the efforts of the Ministry of Social Development, commending its role in leading and coordinating humanitarian action and social protection initiatives, and in strengthening partnerships with national and international stakeholders to serve the most vulnerable groups.