MoSD Stresses the Importance of Strengthening a Comprehensive Response for Persons with Disabilities
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development emphasized the importance of strengthening national and international efforts to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities and respond to their growing needs amid the current humanitarian situation. This came during the Fifth Meeting of the Disability Thematic Working Group, held in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and attended by representatives of governmental, international, and civil society organizations working in the disability sector.
Representing Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, was Deputy Minister Mr. Taha Al-Irani. The meeting coincided with the Minister’s participation in several activities in Nablus Governorate related to supporting services for persons with disabilities, including the signing of an agreement to support nutrition services at Al-Thuraya Center and the handover of a new bus to the center. Also in attendance were Assistant Deputy Minister for Family Protection and Care Mr. Akram Al-Hafi, Advisor to the Ministry of State for Relief Affairs Mr. Mahdi Hamdan, Director General for Persons with Disabilities Mr. Ajaj Ajaj, Deputy Chair of the Disability Thematic Working Group and WFP Programme Manager Mr. Salah Al-Lahham, as well as representatives of international organizations, civil society institutions, and partners working in the disability sector.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Mr. Taha Al-Irani stated that the meeting was taking place under exceptional circumstances facing the Palestinian people, which have exacerbated the humanitarian, social, and economic needs of persons with disabilities, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank. He stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among partners, directing resources toward the most urgent priorities, and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all stages of humanitarian response, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in a manner that protects their rights and dignity and promotes their full participation in society.
For his part, Assistant Deputy Minister for Family Protection and Care Mr. Akram Al-Hafi welcomed the participants and highlighted the increasing challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing their rights and essential services. He pointed in particular to the impact of Israeli occupation practices and restrictions on movement and border crossings, which hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, assistive devices, and specialized services, especially in the Gaza Strip.
Mr. Al-Hafi also referred to several internal challenges that require concerted efforts to address, including the development of updated databases on persons with disabilities, strengthening the relevant legal frameworks, expanding the scope of specialized services and centers, and ensuring the provision of assistive devices and rehabilitation support.
In turn, Advisor to the Ministry of State for Relief Affairs Mr. Mahdi Hamdan underscored the importance of strengthening coordination among international, UN, and national partners working in the disability sector. He referred to ongoing preparations for the upcoming Social Protection Working Group meeting, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, the European Union, and UNICEF, with the aim of developing practical recommendations to improve humanitarian interventions and services provided to persons with disabilities. He also commended the high level of cooperation and commitment demonstrated by the Disability Thematic Working Group.
Director General for Persons with Disabilities Mr. Ajaj Ajaj emphasized that mainstreaming disability issues within national plans and humanitarian response programs remains a key priority for the Ministry. He stressed the importance of unifying efforts among partners to ensure equitable access for persons with disabilities to essential services, assistive devices, and social protection programs. He also highlighted the need to strengthen national disability databases to support evidence-based planning and improve the effectiveness of interventions and services.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chair of the Disability Thematic Working Group and WFP Programme Manager Mr. Salah Al-Lahham reaffirmed the continuation of the partnership with the Ministry of Social Development in supporting programs and services for persons with disabilities. He stressed the importance of integrating disability considerations across humanitarian and development interventions and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in support and response programs.
Participants discussed the outcomes of the roundtable on disability statistics, which aimed to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national data systems and statistical surveys, thereby ensuring the availability of accurate and up-to-date data to support planning, decision-making, and the development of programs and policies targeting this group. Discussions also addressed challenges related to data collection and classification, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation among relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and reliable data.
Representatives of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) presented an overview of services provided to persons with disabilities, including the provision of assistive devices, special education services, vocational rehabilitation, and psychosocial support. They also highlighted emergency response interventions in the northern West Bank, including the expansion of assistive device provision, the establishment of safe spaces for the most vulnerable groups, the distribution of essential supplies, and efforts to ensure continuity of education for children with disabilities affected by displacement.
Participants stressed the importance of strengthening coordination among governmental, international, and civil society organizations and directing resources toward the most urgent priorities, ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all stages of humanitarian response, early recovery, and reconstruction efforts, while enhancing their access to essential services and humanitarian and development programs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants reaffirmed the need to continue joint efforts and strengthen national and international partnerships to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and ensure their full and effective participation in society and in all response and recovery initiatives.