The Diplomat
The European Union and Spain provided €15.5 million for the payment of social allowances through the National Cash Transfer Programme. This funding will benefit 27,561 at-risk families in the West Bank, offering them crucial financial support during challenging times.
The EU supports the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Ministry of Social Development in providing basic social allowances to the most vulnerable families in the West Bank and Gaza through its Cash Transfer Programme, reports the Office of the EU Representative in the West Basnk and Gaza Strip.
Given the Palestinian Authority’s current financial crisis, the European Union and Spain have stepped in to fully cover two overdue payments for eligible beneficiaries in the West Bank.
In Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is escalating, the EU is partnering with the Ministry of Social Development and various international organizations to deliver aid through multiple humanitarian channels. This comprehensive approach aims to reach the increasing number of vulnerable families there and address their basic needs amid the ongoing war there.
This payment for social allowances is part of the short-term emergency financial support to Palestine addressing the most pressing needs, as announced by the European Union. It will target 27,561 extremely poor families, persons with severe disability and elderly above 65 years without pension in the West Bank. The European funding is channelled and verified through the PEGASE mechanism to ensure their eligibility. Various independent and external checks are carried out before and after the European disbursement. The EU is providing €13.5 million while Spain is providing €2 million.
“Social protection is a priority and a basic human right that should be upheld by governments worldwide. In Palestine, the European Development Partners have been instrumental in assisting the Palestinian Authority in establishing its own social protection system, which includes a Cash Transfer Programme aimed at supporting the poorest and most vulnerable. This programme is currently facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing PA fiscal crisis. This contribution by the EU and Spain reaffirms unwavering European commitment to support the most vulnerable in Palestine. This comes in parallel to unprecedented European humanitarian support to the people in Gaza where hundreds of thousands of families are struggling for their basic needs,” said the EU Deputy Representative Maria Velasco.
“For many years, Spain has been providing reliable and predictable support to the Palestinian Government for the delivery of essential public services to the Palestinian population, ensuring ownership and contributing to the reduction of multi-dimensional poverty. This year our support is focused on meeting the urgent needs of the most vulnerable households identified by the Ministry of Social Development, with social assistance benefits”, said the Head of the Spanish Cooperation, Ventura Rodríguez García.
