OIPA in Palestine

Who We Are

OIPA’s work in Palestine is carried out through its Country Representative, Hala Montaser Naim Mahmoud, based in Tulkarm, where she works to promote animal welfare through awareness, education, community engagement and cooperation with local institutions.

Hala is a law graduate and Honor College graduate from An-Najah National University, with a strong background in volunteer work, environmental advocacy and animal welfare. Through OIPA Palestine, she is committed to strengthening public understanding of animal protection, promoting humane treatment and encouraging more responsible coexistence between people and animals.

“Animal welfare begins with awareness, education and the courage to build compassionate communities.”

Hala Montaser Naim Mahmoud, OIPA Country Representative for Palestine

Our Mission in Palestine

OIPA’s mission in Palestine is to promote animal welfare through education, awareness, prevention, community engagement and institutional cooperation, with a particular focus on humane and sustainable solutions for stray animals.

Through the work of its Country Representative and volunteer team, OIPA Palestine aims to strengthen public understanding of humane treatment, responsible coexistence, the reporting of animal abuse and the importance of science-based approaches to animal welfare challenges.

The work brings together veterinarians, schools, universities, local communities, civil society organisations and relevant institutions to encourage practical and long-term responses to the needs of animals and communities. Particular attention is given to stray animals, rabies prevention, future vaccination campaigns and the promotion of responsible behaviour towards animals.

OIPA Palestine also recognises the important role of students, young people and volunteers as agents of change. By connecting animal welfare, environmental protection, law, science, public health and community participation, OIPA Palestine seeks to build a stronger culture of compassion, responsibility and respect for all living beings.

Through education, dialogue, prevention and practical initiatives, OIPA Palestine aims to support long-term change, improve coexistence between people and animals and contribute to safer, more compassionate communities.

Challenges and Our Response

Animal welfare in Palestine faces several important challenges, including limited public awareness, the absence of comprehensive animal welfare legislation and difficulties linked to the management of stray animal populations, particularly in rural areas.

Stray dogs remain a sensitive and complex issue in many communities, often connected to fear, lack of information, public health concerns and limited access to structured humane solutions. The risk of rabies and other diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans makes this issue particularly important from both an animal welfare and public health perspective.

In this context, vaccination, community education and responsible stray animal management are essential to protect both animals and people. Preventive action can help reduce fear, improve coexistence and support safer communities, while avoiding harmful or reactive responses towards stray animals.

Other challenges include the need for stronger reporting mechanisms for animal abuse, wider access to veterinary expertise, greater institutional coordination and more educational opportunities for children, youth and local communities.

OIPA’s response in Palestine focuses on awareness, education, cooperation and prevention. Through university outreach, public interviews, stakeholder meetings, volunteer engagement and dialogue with institutions, OIPA Palestine works to promote humane, scientific and sustainable approaches to animal welfare.

Hala is also working on a strategy that integrates the One Health model, recognising the close connection between animal health, human health and the environment. This strategy aims to promote awareness initiatives, respond to the need for vaccination campaigns and encourage cooperation among veterinarians, communities, institutions and local stakeholders.

The objective is to build long-term solutions based on community participation, responsible behaviour, veterinary knowledge, disease prevention and respect for animals.

Main Areas of Activity

Education, University Awareness and Youth Engagement

Education is one of the main pillars of OIPA Palestine’s work and plays a central role in promoting long-term change for animals and communities.

Through awareness activities in schools, universities and local communities, OIPA Palestine aims to engage students, children and young people in discussions on animal welfare, responsible coexistence and humane solutions for stray animals.

This work focuses on encouraging empathy, kindness towards animals, safe behaviour around stray dogs, responsible care, rabies prevention and the importance of reporting animal abuse. Particular attention is given to helping young people understand the connection between animal welfare, public health and community responsibility.

OIPA Palestine also uses student engagement and public dialogue to better understand community perceptions, concerns and knowledge gaps around stray animals. These activities help replace fear and misinformation with awareness, scientific knowledge and practical guidance.

By reaching students, children and young people, OIPA Palestine seeks to foster a new generation that is more aware, responsible and committed to protecting animals and promoting safer coexistence between people and animals.

Scientific Awareness, Rabies Prevention and One Health

OIPA Palestine promotes a scientific and evidence-based approach to animal welfare, particularly in relation to the management of stray animals and the public concerns connected to them.

This area of work focuses on replacing fear and misinformation with knowledge, dialogue and practical guidance. By involving veterinarians, specialists, students and local communities, OIPA Palestine aims to encourage a better understanding of stray animal issues and promote humane, medical and science-based solutions.

OIPA Palestine also recognises that animal welfare is closely connected to public health and community safety. The presence of stray animals, combined with limited access to preventive veterinary services, can increase concerns related to rabies and other diseases that may be transmitted from animals to humans.

For this reason, Hala is working to develop a strategy that integrates the One Health model, bringing together animal health, human health and environmental responsibility. The aim is to promote awareness, support the need for vaccination initiatives and encourage cooperation among veterinarians, communities, institutions and local stakeholders.

Through this approach, OIPA Palestine seeks to prevent disease, reduce fear and promote safer, more humane coexistence between people and animals.

Strategic Partnerships, Environmental Protection and Institutional Cooperation

OIPA Palestine is working to build a strong network of cooperation around animal welfare, environmental protection and future joint initiatives.

The work focuses on connecting civil society organisations, veterinarians, veterinary students, local communities and institutional stakeholders from both the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A key part of this process is the development of a strategic plan in collaboration with local stakeholders, with the aim of promoting a sustainable and structured approach to animal welfare in Palestine. This includes identifying common priorities, strengthening cooperation between professionals and organisations, and encouraging more coordinated responses to animal welfare and environmental concerns.

Through this work, OIPA Palestine seeks to transform individual efforts into a broader network of action, bringing together civil society, professionals, institutions and local communities around shared solutions based on cooperation, responsibility and respect for all living beings.

Research, Youth Empowerment and Technological Innovation

OIPA Palestine is also working to strengthen the role of Palestinian youth in animal welfare, environmental advocacy and international cooperation.

This area of work focuses on creating opportunities for young people, students and professionals to engage with animal welfare through research, scientific evidence, education and dialogue. By connecting animal protection with environmental responsibility, OIPA Palestine aims to support a new generation of advocates able to contribute to both local and international discussions.

Within this framework, OIPA Palestine has launched the AI for Veterinary Medicine Initiative, a multidisciplinary platform that brings together veterinary professionals, animal welfare advocates, technology specialists and AI experts from different countries.

The initiative explores how modern technology and artificial intelligence can support progress in veterinary medicine, contribute to the reduction of animal testing and experimentation, and help develop digital tools to address emerging challenges in animal health and welfare.

Through this work, OIPA Palestine seeks to build bridges between animal welfare, science, technology, environmental protection and international advocacy, promoting innovative solutions that can benefit both animals and communities

Our Impact

Sì, per Our Impact ti proporrei una versione più compatta, istituzionale e coerente con le sezioni che abbiamo appena sistemato.

Our Impact

Through the work of Hala and the OIPA Palestine volunteer team, OIPA has started to build an important platform for animal welfare awareness, education and cooperation in Palestine.

OIPA Palestine has promoted university-based awareness activities in Tulkarm, engaging students in discussions on stray animals, humane coexistence, public health concerns and the importance of medical and science-based solutions.

The team has also contributed to strengthening public understanding of animal welfare through interviews, online awareness activities and dialogue with specialists, helping to address fear, misinformation and knowledge gaps around stray animals.

Between March and June 2026, OIPA Palestine developed initial strategic dialogue with animal welfare organisations, veterinarians, veterinary students and stakeholders from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with the aim of supporting a more coordinated and long-term approach to animal protection.

OIPA Palestine has also opened channels of cooperation on environmental awareness, wildlife protection, youth empowerment, research and innovation, connecting animal welfare with broader issues such as environmental responsibility, public health and community participation.

The launch of the AI for Veterinary Medicine Initiative represents an additional step towards promoting international collaboration, scientific exchange and innovative approaches to veterinary medicine and animal welfare.

Through these activities, OIPA Palestine is helping to create the foundations for a stronger animal welfare network based on education, scientific knowledge, youth involvement, One Health principles and institutional cooperation.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, OIPA Palestine aims to strengthen its work in animal welfare education, public awareness, community engagement and institutional cooperation.

Key priorities include expanding awareness activities in schools, universities and local communities, with a particular focus on children, students and young people. Through these initiatives, OIPA Palestine seeks to promote empathy, responsible coexistence, safe behaviour around stray animals, rabies prevention and the importance of reporting animal abuse.

OIPA Palestine is also working on projects addressing the urgent needs of stray animals, particularly in areas where dogs and cats face vulnerability, lack of care, limited access to veterinary support and risks linked to fear, misinformation or inadequate management. These projects aim to support humane emergency responses, promote responsible community action and develop more structured solutions for animals in need.

In this context, OIPA Palestine is actively seeking international partners, donors and supporters who can contribute to the development of future animal welfare initiatives, including emergency support for stray animals, vaccination campaigns, veterinary assistance, awareness activities and community-based programmes.

OIPA Palestine will also continue strengthening its network of volunteers and partners across different governorates, supporting local capacity, youth engagement and community-based animal welfare action.

In parallel, OIPA Palestine aims to further develop partnerships in the fields of environmental protection, wildlife awareness, research, youth empowerment and technological innovation, including the continued growth of the AI for Veterinary Medicine Initiative.

Through these efforts, OIPA Palestine seeks to build a stronger and more coordinated animal welfare platform, promote humane responses to stray animal emergencies and create long-term change for animals, communities and future generations.

Contact

For further information about OIPA’s activities in Morocco, please contact:

OIPA International
international@oipa.org