Sustainable Development is an Urgent Necessity to Face Challenges in Bethlehem Governorate

SadaNews -  The Bethlehem Governorate is experiencing difficult and worsening humanitarian and economic conditions, especially with the decline in tourism, which represents one of the most important sources of income in the governorate. According to recent reports, unemployment rates in Bethlehem have risen to over 30%, and the poverty rate has increased to around 28%, with more than 60% of families unable to meet their basic monthly needs. 

The governorate also faces increasing challenges related to freedom of movement and access to basic services, as field reports indicate the presence of 89 barriers and gates on the roads, exacerbating the isolation of many villages, especially in the remote areas east and west of Bethlehem, which are the most vulnerable, where more than 85% of the area of the Bethlehem Governorate falls within these areas.

Support for the Most Vulnerable and Poor Population

As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance humanitarian and developmental work in Palestine, a delegation from Life For Relief and Development visited Bethlehem Governorate to assess the needs of social and health institutions and explore opportunities for cooperation aimed at supporting the most vulnerable and needy groups in Palestinian society.

Mohamed Al-Jaafari, the General Director of Public Affairs in Bethlehem Governorate, conducted a field tour with the "Life" team that included several prominent social and health institutions, among them the Elderly Care Home in Beit Sahour, the Saint Nicholas Elderly Home in Beit Jala, and the Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital, aiming to introduce the delegation to the services provided by these institutions and the challenges they face, and to open the door for developing future cooperation projects that contribute to enhancing their capacity to serve beneficiaries.

Healthcare and Psychological Support are the Top Needs of the Elderly

Nizar Al-Arja, Director of the Saint Nicholas Club for the Elderly in Beit Jala, emphasized the importance of supporting charitable institutions for elderly homes, stating: "The needs of elderly homes include support for healthcare and medical care by providing medications, medical devices, regular check-ups, and physical therapy services, alongside nutritional support by providing healthy meals and nutritional supplements suitable for the needs of the elderly.

These homes also need daily living essentials such as clothing, blankets, personal hygiene products, and diapers for the elderly, in addition to infrastructure support through the maintenance of facilities and equipping them in accordance with their mobility and health needs.

This is in addition to psychological and social support programs that help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness by organizing recreational and cultural activities and regular community visits. We also need to cover the costs of care and health staff and basic services, ensuring the continuity of providing high-quality services to the most in-need elderly groups.

Expanding Psychological Care for the Most Affected Groups

During the visit to the Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital, administrative director Anjad Zaharan clarified that the hospital is preparing to expand its services to include residents of the Gaza Strip in the coming period, in response to the deep psychological effects of the ongoing war and the resulting widespread trauma and psychological disorders.

She pointed out that the hospital does not limit itself to providing medical care but offers a wide range of therapeutic and rehabilitative activities aimed at supporting the mental health of patients and enhancing their social integration, including greenhouse farming, embroidery work, and manufacturing.

Regarding the challenges facing the hospital, Zaharan stated that the institution suffers from a shortage of specialized human resources, increased needs for training and rehabilitation, in addition to the limited availability of some medical and service supplies. She also highlighted the necessity for the restoration and modernization of some vital facilities, including kitchens and refrigeration units, as well as the development of gas and central heating systems, in addition to health kits like those provided by "Life" for all resident patients.

The Necessity of Sustainable Support in the West Bank

For her part, Doaa Issa, the executive coordinator of projects at Life For Relief and Development in Palestine, presented an overview of the organization's main activities within the Palestinian territories, indicating that the organization's programs include the distribution of food parcels in the West Bank governorates, in addition to implementing humanitarian and relief programs in the Gaza Strip that include the provision of tents, food supplies, hygiene materials, and medications. Issa confirmed that the main objective of the delegation's visit to Bethlehem Governorate is to directly assess the needs of local institutions and evaluate projects that could be included in the organization’s future programs. 

She clarified that the projects include educational support programs, seasonal aid initiatives, including providing winter supplies for the Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital, noting that despite its focus on relief work, the organization is considering expanding the implementation of long-term developmental and empowering projects that contribute to achieving a sustainable impact within Palestinian society.