Occupied Palestinian territory

In the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), SIMASHE built on a long-standing human rights-based approach to health, rooted in WHO’s Palestinian-led advocacy work established in 2007 and 2008. In 2023, before these efforts were interrupted by the current crisis, activities included preparatory work for assessing urban health determinants in Ramallah and Gaza, and the development of a social medicine and advocacy training course in partnership with Birzeit University and Harvard University.

Country achievement highlights

1. Finalization of a right-to-health indicator set to enhance monitoring of health inequities in the occupied Palestinian territory.
   
2. Successful launch of a social medicine and advocacy training course in 2023, developed with Birzeit and Harvard Universities, with plans for annual implementation.
   

Main activities 2025–2028

• Health in refugee camps may be a future focus, but there is uncertainty about when support for the occupied Palestinian territory will resume and how it will be structured after the conflict ends.
• The work to support displaced populations could potentially align with the EMRO regional strategy on healthy cities and equity integration, and involve drawing on insights from the World Report on the Social Determinants of Health Equity, as well as with trainings and lessons learned throughout the initiative.