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.
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Department of Refugee Affairs Presents Its Annual Report to the MoSD and Reaffirms the Importance of Partnership in Strengthening the Resilience of Palestinian Refugees
Ramallah – The Department of Refugee Affairs of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) presented its Annual Report to the Ministry of Social Development during a meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters. The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two institutions and to enhance mechanisms for responding to the humanitarian and social needs of Palestinian refugee camps. Representing the Ministry of Social Development were Mr. Akram Al-Hafi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Family Care and Protection, and Mr. Ashraf Al-Barghouthi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Administrative Development and Planning. Representing the Department of Refugee Affairs were Mr. Ahmad Khallah, Advisor to the Department, Ms. Azhar Al-Khalili, and Ms. Serena Arrar from the General Directorate of Projects. The delegation conveyed the greetings of Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi, Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, and the Department’s Deputy Head, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and enhancing cooperation among Palestinian national institutions in support of Palestinian refugees and their resilience under the exceptional circumstances facing the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Department’s delegation presented the key findings of its Annual Report, which documents the situation in Palestinian refugee camps, the challenges they face, and the Department’s principal achievements over the past year. The report also highlights the humanitarian and development interventions implemented in refugee camps and Palestinian communities, as well as the partnerships established with national institutions and international donors to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian refugees and improve the quality of services provided to them. The meeting also explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in responding to the needs of displaced families in the northern West Bank and improving coordination in the areas of social protection, social care, and humanitarian relief, with the aim of ensuring a more coordinated and effective national response for affected households. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining close coordination, exchanging expertise and information, and building on the existing partnership between the Ministry of Social Development and the Department of Refugee Affairs. They stressed that strengthening cooperation among national institutions is essential for addressing humanitarian and social challenges and enhancing the resilience of Palestinian refugees while improving the services provided to them.
MoSD Holds Consultative Workshop to Develop the Grievance Redress Mechanism Manual
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development today held a consultative workshop to present and discuss the draft Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Manual under the Social Development Enhancement Project, implemented in partnership with the World Bank. The workshop brought together representatives of the General Union of Persons with Disabilities, the Advisory Board for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations, and civil society organizations working in the field of human rights. The workshop forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen a more efficient and inclusive grievance redress system that enhances service quality and promotes the principles of transparency and accountability. The workshop was opened by Mr. Ashraf Al-Barghouthi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Administrative Development and Planning, who welcomed the participants and emphasized that strengthening the grievance redress system requires effective coordination and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders. He described the system as one of the key instruments for improving service quality and enhancing responsiveness to citizens' needs. He explained that the workshop aims to discuss the Grievance Redress Mechanism Manual and its procedures through a participatory approach to develop practical, confidential, transparent, and effective processes, with particular attention to sensitive complaints, including those related to gender-based violence (GBV), thereby strengthening public confidence in the grievance mechanism and improving its effectiveness. Mr. Mohammad Rashid Khaled, Head of the Complaints Unit at the Ministry of Social Development, presented an overview of the Ministry’s existing grievance redress system, including the procedures for receiving, processing, and resolving complaints. He emphasized the importance of continuously improving these procedures and expanding access channels for all population groups to ensure timely responses, high-quality complaint resolution, strengthened good governance, and improved public service delivery. For her part, Ms. Kifah Rajoub, Environmental and Social Specialist at the World Bank, presented the draft Grievance Redress Mechanism Manual, explaining that the workshop is part of a broader consultative process aimed at gathering feedback from partners and relevant stakeholders before the Manual is finalized. She noted that this process seeks to strengthen complaint intake channels and grievance handling procedures in line with international good practices. Ms. Rajoub also presented the key components of the Social Development Enhancement Project, which aims to build a more resilient social protection system capable of responding to shocks and crises by strengthening social services for poor and marginalized households, enhancing the Social Registry and Case Management System, building the capacities of Ministry staff in the directorates, and developing a flexible emergency response mechanism in collaboration with partners. The workshop further reviewed the core principles of the Grievance Redress Mechanism Manual, with particular emphasis on ensuring that complaint channels are accessible to all groups, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons, while establishing clear, fair, and transparent grievance handling procedures that reinforce integrity, accountability, and transparency in project implementation. The workshop concluded with an extensive technical discussion among participants representing various institutions and professional backgrounds. Participants reviewed the draft Manual, shared technical observations and recommendations for its improvement, and emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination and consultation among all partners to finalize a comprehensive Grievance Redress Mechanism Manual that strengthens the effectiveness and credibility of the Ministry’s grievance redress system.
