Mr. Mingyong Kim, the Palestinian Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, have signed a cooperation agreement worth 6 million US dollars. This funding aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of mental health services for Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in the Gaza Strip.
According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, newly registered cases of mental illnesses in the Occupied Palestinian Territory increased by 13% between 2021 and 2022. The recurrent security escalation, continuous rise in violence, and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increased need for psychological support among adults, teenagers, and children, making mental health one of the most significant public health challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
"Everyone's life is touched by someone suffering from a mental health condition. However, many Palestinians do not receive the healthcare they need due to insufficient reporting of mental health disorders and lack of adequate treatment and support. I sincerely thank KOICA for their long-term partnership and generous support in addressing this hidden crisis. Investing in mental health is an investment in a better life and a better future for all," said Dr. Peeperkorn.
The project, spanning three and a half years, will focus on three areas to enhance mental health services in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. These areas include improving the quality and effectiveness of services in 20 centers for mental and community health and two psychiatric hospitals, expanding service provision by integrating mental health into selected primary healthcare clinics under the Palestinian Ministry of Health, UNRWA, and general hospitals, and enhancing mental health programs in schools to support adolescents with risky behaviors. This will be achieved through training and capacity building for 5,200 healthcare workers in the Ministry of Health, UNRWA, and educational staff in schools under the Ministry of Education, providing mental health medications to address chronic shortages in supplies, offering rehabilitation programs for patients with mental health disorders, and renovating mental health hospitals in Gaza and the West Bank.
"The Korea International Cooperation Agency and the World Health Organization have worked together to achieve global health security and overcome pandemics such as COVID-19 and Ebola. To achieve this, the two organizations have implemented ten projects globally based on a strong partnership. I am pleased to see our partnership continuing in Palestine to build a healthier and more resilient community," said Mingyong Kim, the Palestinian Director of KOICA.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency has been providing support to the health sector in Palestine since 2011. KOICA's programs have focused on providing healthcare for all, quality education for youth, creating employment opportunities, and building government capacities to enhance public services.
