Currently, aid distributions in Gaza average just 28 trucks per day, far from enough to meet the most basic needs of Gaza’s more than 2 million people. The growing gap between what is needed and what is reaching people is a direct threat to civilian survival. Principled humanitarian access must be protected. This is not just a moral imperative but a legal obligation under international humanitarian law, which guarantees civilians the right to receive impartial assistance during armed conflict. 

Global Communities urges all parties to agree to an immediate and permanent ceasefire to save lives and allow families to safely access essential food, water and medical care.

All land crossings into Gaza must be fully opened to humanitarian organizations, without restriction.

Administrative barriers that impede the delivery of lifesaving aid must be lifted.

Every civilian, no matter where they are, must be able to receive assistance safely and without discrimination. 

We also urge returning to a United Nations-led response that is carried out by experienced, independent organizations operating under international law.  

We call on all governments, donors and the international community to continue supporting principled humanitarian efforts and to protect the space in which neutral actors work to save lives. In times of conflict, our strongest commitments must be to humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, so we can serve people in need without fear or favor. These commitments must be upheld in Gaza, urgently and without exception. 

Global Communities has been on the ground in Gaza since the beginning of this conflict, providing lifesaving assistance under extraordinary and often dangerous conditions. Our teams have mourned the loss of cherished colleagues, operated under constant threat of violence, and endured the same shortages of food and water as the communities we serve. Despite these challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the people of Gaza and advocating for their rights and well-being.

The post Call for Immediate Action to Prevent Starvation and Ensure Principled Humanitarian Aid in Gaza  appeared first on Global Communities.

According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme, around 85% of enterprises have halted their production. Meanwhile, 63% of the businesses that are still in operation can only work at less than 30% of their usual capacity.  

To support rebuilding and expansion efforts, Global Communities is providing grants to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in the region. This initiative is made possible with backing from the Swedish Government, the Palestine Investment Fund and local partner Wefaq Society for Women and Child Care.  

To date, a total of 10 grantees have been able to create 83 new full-time jobs, preserve nearly 12.5 acres of farmland and reach more than 34,000 internally displaced people with essential food and water sources. 

“This support has been crucial,” said Ne’Ma El Qebt, whose food business was destroyed at the beginning of the war. Since then, she has been trying to maintain some semblance of an operation. 

“Following another sudden displacement from Rafah, I lost my equipment and relocated to Khan Younis, where I began rebuilding the Bint Al-Balad Kitchen,” she said. 

After applying for a grant through Global Communities, Ne’Ma received support to obtain essential equipment, cooking gas and worker wages. Now, the business has doubled its production capacity, stabilized its finances and provided full-time employment for 25 women.  

In addition to creating new jobs, these grants have also leveraged the capacities of local businesses and civil society organizations to meet the urgent food and water needs of displaced families.  

Despite losing its Khan Younis branch, Al-Rabee’ Kitchen was able to sustain operations in Deir Al-Balah Governorate, using grant money to set up a nylon-covered location with wood-burning stoves, nearly twice the amount of cooking pots, and a solar heating system.  

This support enabled the business to expand its meal production by 34%, resulting in the daily production of 22,000 hot, nutritious meals for internally displaced people (IDPs). The kitchen has also provided over 1,000 hot meals to vulnerable groups, including cancer patients and impoverished families in displacement camps. 

“We offer assistance to IDPs in Deir Al-Balah every day,” said kitchen manager Mohamed Rabee. “… Things are getting better. Previously, we were displaced to several places. At that time, we assisted others as much as possible.” 

In a region grappling with severe water shortages, Al-Safadi Water Well is addressing a critical need for 6,000 people. Prior to receiving a grant through Global Communities, the well lacked an energy source to pump water. This prompted the local management board to approach Global Communities for support developing the well.  

“The water pump’s capacity was increased from 1.5 horsepower to 3 horsepower, and a solar energy system was provided to operate the well,” said Othman Siam, a member of the local management board. “As a result, we could supply water for free and almost continuously to nearly 600 displaced families in the area.” 

According to Abu Mohamed, an elderly man who has been displaced to Deir Al-Balah, the well has been a critical source of water to meet his daily needs. 

“The water well saved us a lot of effort and trouble in getting water,” Abu said. “Before the [grant], we walked about 2 kilometers and sometimes a kilometer and a half to get water to wash our hands and feet.”  

Upgrading the well also positively impacted local farmers’ lands, which had previously suffered from water shortages. Now, water prices have been reduced by 40% for farmers and they are starting to see the benefits of more affordable and consistent irrigation. 

“Thanks to this grant, these lands were rehabilitated, crops were revived and the number of farmers in the area increased,” Othman said. “Things are going for the better.” 

According to Abu Alaa, a local farmer who uses the Al-Safadi Water Well, the grant support came at “the right time during this difficult situation.” 

As the Israel-Palestine war continues to exacerbate economic instability in the region, the grants provided through Global Communities have not only enabled businesses to rebuild and expand but have also fostered resilience and hope among the local population. The entrepreneurs and citizens behind Bint Al-Balad Kitchen, Al-Rabee’ Kitchen and Al-Safadi Water Well have demonstrated remarkable perseverance, transforming their challenges into opportunities for growth and community well-being. Their efforts illustrate the profound difference that targeted support can make in times of crisis.

While Global Communities welcomes the current ceasefire in Gaza, it will be a long road ahead to rebuild the territory and economy. We urge the international community to support efforts to achieve a lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures the dignity and security of all individuals in the region.

The post From Destruction to Determination: How Grants are Reviving Gaza’s Small Businesses appeared first on Global Communities.

For decades, the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence have underpinned humanitarian action. They provide a foundation for delivering aid with integrity and fairness, and they help ensure that assistance reaches those in need based on vulnerability and urgency, rather than political or personal interests. In recent years, however, we have seen significant challenges in the application of these principles, including their outright violations. Attacks on aid workers, access restrictions and other constraints imposed by parties to armed conflicts inhibit the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver effective, principled assistance.

Recently, a group of humanitarian workers from our organization met to discuss the risks and challenges to principled humanitarian action. The following colleagues participated in the exchange: Jasper Vaughn, Communication and Information Management Officer, Humanitarian Response; Elise Hannaford, Director, Humanitarian Response; Eva K. Mejia, Country Director, Honduras; Marshall Karidozo, Director of Monitoring & Evaluation and Acting Program Director, Syria; Will Musombi, Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Response; and Noah Steinberg Distefano, Senior Regional Manager, Americas.

The conversation was edited for length and clarity.

Paula: What are the origins of humanitarian principles and what do they mean for Global Communities?

 Jasper: The onset of the modern set of humanitarian principles dates back to the 19th century, when they were first promoted by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Today, these principles are embedded in the international humanitarian law, including four Geneva Conventions, ratified by almost all countries in the world. These treaties lay out legally binding obligations aimed at protecting individuals who are not participating in hostilities, including civilians.

In 1994, the humanitarian principles were codified in the voluntary Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief.  Global Communities is signatory to this code.

While the humanitarian principles are well-defined by the international community, there are still tensions and misconceptions about their practical application.

Paula: What are the challenges associated with the implementation of humanitarian principles and how do you address them?

Elise: In theory, the humanitarian principles sound straightforward, but in practice, humanitarians face challenges around their implementation and they are unevenly applied across crisis contexts.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has led to a serious reckoning in the humanitarian community. Our organization has lost two colleagues, Hani Jnena and Alaa Abu Al-Khair, who have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since the start of the war in October 2023. Many of our colleagues have also lost their family members. These tragic losses are profoundly felt by our teams. Our colleagues work tirelessly to deliver lifesaving assistance to their communities while facing unfathomable danger, severe trauma and significant logistical challenges caused by widespread insecurity and restrictions on aid. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and unequivocal adherence to international humanitarian law so that we can deliver aid in a safe and timely manner. As we continue to provide assistance in Gaza, we will keep evaluating our response to ensure that we adhere to the humanitarian principles.

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Jasper: Well said, Elise. In recent years, humanitarian assistance has become very politicized. We have seen governments attempting to influence humanitarian actors to pursue non-humanitarian goals, such as foreign policy or military objectives. It can be very difficult for humanitarian actors to balance their adherence to the principles with these intense pressures from high-level political figures or even donors.

In addition, in fast-paced and emergency environments, it can be challenging for humanitarian actors to know how to best include local governments as necessary partners in humanitarian action without compromising principled aid delivery. First, if a government is a party to a conflict, our collaboration with them may be worrying to our program participants, who may no longer see us as an independent or neutral party. Second, local governments often have strong opinions about which populations should receive aid. If these populations are not those most in need of humanitarian assistance, we risk compromising the principle of impartiality.

Aid diversion is also a threat to humanitarian principles. This can happen when stakeholders prevent aid from going to populations most in need and instead divert it to other groups. Also, donor requirements designed to prevent aid diversion may unintentionally hinder the timely and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. It is crucial to balance these safeguards with the need to ensure that aid reaches those in need without unnecessary delays or obstacles.

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Eva: I would like to share a real-life example from Honduras, where Global Communities has been operating since 1985. For nearly four decades our main focus was sustainable development. This changed in 2020, when our country experienced a superimposed humanitarian crisis caused by two devastating hurricanes, Eta and Iota, which hit us in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the aftermath of these disasters, we began implementing the Honduras Emergency WASH and Shelter (HEWS) program (2020-2022), funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA). In the span of weeks, our country team turned into a humanitarian actor, and we became bound by the humanitarian principles.

At the very beginning, our staff were not familiar with these principles, and it was challenging for them to apply them while selecting program partners and recipients of aid. In development programs, the selection criteria can be different. For example, while we certainly want to reach the most vulnerable populations, we also apply the “cost-benefit” and “value for money” lens when choosing the communities we work with.

Additionally, we are used to working closely with local governments, and we did not predict that this would be a problem. Yet we soon learned of a growing perception that we were providing humanitarian aid mainly to neighborhoods and communities who were sympathizing with the Honduran government. After an internal reflection, we realized that we need to get better at using the humanitarian approach and terminology to coordinate assistance with local actors and to communicate the eligibility criteria to our communities. 

We learned a lot within a short period of time, and we took decisive actions to overcome these challenges. The key was to build trust within the communities and to link local leaders with municipalities for a more coordinated, transparent and principled response.

Now, four years later, we continue implementing humanitarian projects and we have a very strong relationship with BHA. Thanks to Global Communities’ Global Support Team, our staff is well-trained on humanitarian principles, and we systematically monitor their application.

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Elise: Well said, Eva. Your team’s experience in pivoting between development and humanitarian work is incredibly valuable as we support other country teams in becoming humanitarian-ready.

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Marshall: To me, all four humanitarian principles are intertwined, and it is very rare to witness a situation where only one principle is threatened or violated.

The Syrian context, where I work, is extremely complex. Ten years ago, when Global Communities began its work in Syria, we focused on the blanket distribution of life-saving commodities, such as food and water. Today, our goal is to provide more systematized support to internally displaced people, but we face interference from local committees, camp managers and other local actors who exert power over a specific area. For example, they sometimes give us lists of people who should or should not receive aid, which is in complete violation of the principles of independence and impartiality. In response, we have instituted a robust verification mechanism, which includes community-based needs assessments and validation exercises with other humanitarian stakeholders.

We are incredibly committed to delivering aid in an impartial way. One of the best practices in addressing these challenges is hiring local staff who understand the language, culture and power dynamics in their communities. They have been very helpful in identifying and responding to the instances of bias and discrimination. In some cases, we also employ third-party monitoring teams who lead these verification exercises, and we do our best to ensure that our distribution centers are out of reach of military establishments.

Finally, Global Communities has been very active in Syria’s cluster system, which strengthens coordination and accountability for the delivery of services.

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Elise: Many thanks for your examples, Marshall. Your monitoring & evaluation team plays a key role in ensuring that we abide by humanitarian principles, and I appreciate that we have such a strong team.

I also want to mention the importance of our community feedback mechanisms, which not only improve the quality and accessibility of our programming but are also pivotal in holding us accountable and preventing misconduct.

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Will: Humanitarian principles are extremely important. In conflict settings, it is critical for us, humanitarians, to engage in dialogues with leaders on both sides of the conflict and assure them of our commitment to neutrality. We have to explain that our mission is solely to deliver humanitarian aid. That we will not take sides and we will not discriminate against people based on which side of the conflict they are on. That we do not have a political or military agenda. Establishing clear communication channels and trust with all parties is key to ensuring a safe and uninterrupted passage of people and goods. Otherwise, we can face bureaucratic and security-related impediments to our work.

Unfortunately, over the past few years, we have seen increased targeting of aid workers. We see attacks on humanitarian convoys. Hospitals are being bombed. Humanitarians are being killed, kidnaped and detained. This is unacceptable. Humanitarian relief personnel must be respected and protected at all times.

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Elise: Indeed. I also want to highlight how challenging it can be to abide by the humanitarian principles during the first phase of an emergency response. We need to make quick decisions with imperfect information, and even with the best intentions, there can be unintended consequences. It’s important to have open discussions, learn and improve.

Paula: How do you apply humanitarian principles to the selection of program partners?

 Elise: Many local organizations we work with have dual mandates. The key is to ensure that they apply humanitarian principles in the process of delivering humanitarian aid. We conduct scrupulous verification and monitoring of our current and prospective partners, and we strengthen their capacity to engage in principled emergency response. We take any violations very seriously and address them immediately.     

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Jasper: This balancing act also applies to our relationships with donors, especially government donors. Governments may participate both in humanitarian and non-humanitarian activities within the same crisis context. For example, they may engage in diplomacy or send military assistance to a conflict party while also financing humanitarian aid to conflict-affected populations. Humanitarian actors must constantly think how to preserve their independence and neutrality in these very complex situations. While the humanitarian principles are well-defined by the international community, there are still tensions and misconceptions about their practical application.

Paula: How do you balance the principle of impartiality with social inclusion and gender integration while developing eligibility criteria for recipients of humanitarian aid?

 Elise: These principles may seem contradictory, but most often, they are not. Our goal is to provide appropriate support to those most affected by a crisis and be as inclusive as possible. For example, while we cannot exclude anyone based on gender or age, often women and girls, and children generally, are most vulnerable in crisis settings and may get prioritized for aid. Our Child Protection in Emergencies programming is a good example of this. This is not an exclusion of other populations, but rather a recognition that children are most in need of protection in a particular context.      

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Marshall: Local cluster systems are incredibly helpful in developing appropriate, context-specific eligibility and vulnerability criteria. In Syria, for example, there is a ranking system, and everything is validated and shared with our community representatives. This creates a common understanding about who qualifies for assistance, which helps reduce community tensions and pushback. 

Paula: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Noah: In addition to the core humanitarian principles, which are static, there are also minimum humanitarian standards, for example the Sphere standards. They are more technical in nature and aim to improve the quality and accountability of the humanitarian sector.

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Elise: This is a good point, Noah. You are right, the humanitarian principles do not shift, but the minimum standards get updated regularly. In fact, the Core Humanitarian Standards on Quality and Accountability were updated earlier this year. Our Humanitarian Response Team is reviewing them, and we will ensure that our country teams are up to date.  

Paula: Thank you for your insights!

The post Humanity at Risk: Addressing Challenges to Principled Humanitarian Action appeared first on Global Communities.

Firstly, we would like to convey our deep appreciation to the people of Gaza for their continued willingness to engage with NGOs, ensuring we understand where humanitarian needs are the highest, enabling us to understand the challenges you are facing, and for ensuring our safety in the community.

NGOs recognize that the protection of civilians in Gaza is paramount. On a daily basis, we are undertaking continuous advocacy through all available channels to us, calling for a ceasefire, calling for the opening of all the crossings, and calling for an end to the violence against civilians and civilian infrastructure, alongside calling for the end of forceful transfers of people. We continue to demand action from the international community to protect civilians, and to highlight the scale of humanitarian needs in Gaza.

We understand that people in Gaza need more than just humanitarian aid, and the ability of the private sector to function effectively is critical. We have been repeatedly calling for solutions to the cash liquidity emergency, and for commercial supplies to be permitted to enter all areas of Gaza without restrictions. NGOs also understand the need to increase Palestinian self-reliance through more education and livelihood opportunities, and this is something many of us are working on developing.

As NGOs, we are deeply frustrated that we are still not able to meet all of the humanitarian needs of the community in Gaza, which continue to surge in this extreme and worsening emergency. We are working every single day trying to address these challenges.

Among the biggest issues that we are facing:

We are still not being permitted to bring in aid supplies in the quantities or varieties needed. We are continually prohibited from entering critically needed humanitarian items, including medication, assistive devices, and agricultural products, alongside other critically needed items. While we can bring in some trucks, we are not being allowed to bring in anywhere near enough. We still experience major delays, denials, and limitations on the amount of aid that can be brought in through all of Gaza’s land borders.

We continue to advocate for the reopening of the Rafah crossing, alongside all crossing points into all of Gaza, and the lifting of any limits set on how much aid can cross through these each day. We are calling, in particular, for the urgent expedition of winterisation supplies, including tarpaulins, sealing off kits and shelter items, alongside essential medical supplies and assisted devices.

We are still not being permitted to move aid supplies safely within Gaza. For most of the aid supplies coming into Gaza, we are only permitted to use the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, but we are not being enabled to collect this aid safely. We suffer recurrent looting of aid supplies, and this means not all aid is reaching the people who need it most, and some of it is instead being sold in markets, rather than distributed as intended. We continue to advocate to be allowed to collect aid safely, and to be permitted to use all available roads and routes, which Israeli forces currently prohibit us from doing.

How NGOs are prioritising who receives aid:

As we do not have enough aid supplies to meet your needs, we normally prioritise based on either eligibility criteria (those who the aid is most relevant for), or on vulnerability criteria (women-headed households, children, those with disabilities, the elderly, etc.).

We are continually working to ensure that the limited aid that we can get into Gaza reaches those who need it the very most. This is not always possible, especially given the security environment, as well as there being so many eligible and vulnerable community members that we cannot meet all needs.

NGOs are keen to ensure greater transparency, and meaningful engagement with the community in Gaza. We recognise we need to improve this. Each NGO has their own feedback and engagement mechanism, so you can reach out to any of us directly. In addition, a coalition of international and Palestinian NGOs are also working to increase our two-way dialogue with you to improve our collective engagement and accountability through engagement with Gazan civil society organizations. Our intention is to ensure your voices are being amplified, and that we can ensure we are advocating loudly for your needs, your rights, and your dignity.

With sincere appreciation and respect,
A coalition of Palestinian and International NGOs operating in Gaza, facilitated by PNGO and AIDA.

Specific NGO signatories include:

• Welthungerhilfe
• Care International Organisation
• Global Communities
• Premiere Urgence Internationale
• Norwegian People’s Aid
• Japan International Volunteer Center
• Middle East Children’s Alliance MECA
• Caritas Jerusalem
• Oxfam
• Solidarités International
• Project Hope
• Save the Children
• Dan Chruch Aid/ Norwegian Church Aid
• Norwegian Refugee Council
• Action Against Hunger
• HEKS/EPER (Swiss Church Aid)
• Humanity & Inclusion
• INARA
• CESVI
• UAWC
• GCMHP
• LRC Gaza
• SDF
• RAFDA
• Maan Development Center
• Dr.Haider Abdel Shafi Center
• Right to lives Society
• PARC
• Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children
• Scince & Culture Center
• Kotof el -Khair Health and Community Association
• Women’s Programs Center Association
• UHCC
• Baitona
• CFTA
• AlDammer for Human right
• IRC

The post A Message to the Community from NGOs in Gaza appeared first on Global Communities.

With deep concern and a commitment to peace and humanity, we mark one year since the tragic events of October 7 and the start of the war that has devastated and displaced millions. Rooted in decades of conflict and hardship, the war has brought immense suffering and loss of life across the region, with Gaza facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today.

As we reflect on the past year, we are especially focused on the terrible impact of the war on our own staff and the people we serve. For over 30 years, Global Communities’ work in the West Bank and Gaza has focused on partnering with local organizations to help strengthen the resilience of Palestinian people and address the profound impacts of the longstanding conflict on their lives and livelihoods. From rebuilding infrastructure and promoting economic development to fostering civic engagement and advancing women’s leadership, our programs have touched the lives of thousands and thousands of people. The disruption to this progress is devastating, but our commitment to supporting the Palestinian people on their path to peace, healing and recovery remains as strong as ever.

The heartbreaking losses brought upon by the war are felt deeply by our humanitarian response teams, who have been on the frontlines of the crisis response from day one. Our colleagues continue to work tirelessly, delivering lifesaving services, including food and water, to their communities, all while facing violence, displacement, severe trauma and significant logistical challenges brought on by widespread insecurity and limitations on aid. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, their dedication to helping those in need remains unwavering.

The brutality of this war is deeply horrifying, as are the attacks on humanitarian convoys and the tragic loss of more than 300 humanitarian workers who gave their lives in service of others. Over the past year, we have mourned the loss of two of our colleagues, Hani Jnena and Alaa Abu Al-Khair, who were killed in separate airstrikes. The pain is deepened by the devastating loss of far too many family members of our surviving staff, intensifying the heartache and suffering experienced by everyone.

On this somber occasion, and for the millions enduring displacement, fear, hunger and unimaginable loss, we urge the end of violence of all kinds and on all sides, a recognition of the dignity and common humanity of all people, and strict adherence to humanitarian law. This must include a ceasefire, fundamental to the protection of life and the delivery of humanitarian services; the safety and security of aid workers; the removal of barriers to the delivery of humanitarian assistance; and the safeguarding of all civilians and essential infrastructure. While tensions persist and the threat of a broader conflict grows, we join our colleagues in the humanitarian sector in calling for a lasting and peaceful resolution to this crisis. Our shared humanity and the well-being of countless lives depend on it.

To our colleagues in the region: Your courage and dedication inspire me every day. I grieve with you, and my heart is with you, your families and your communities as you navigate this horrific crisis. Please know that we are deeply grateful for all that you do and are in awe of your resilience. We will continue to support you in every way we can, standing for peace and healing.

May peace prevail soon.

The post Marking One Year of Devastating War and Bloodshed appeared first on Global Communities.

Many Palestinian families, already forcibly displaced countless times since October, are on the move yet again, including humanitarian workers critical to providing the limited aid response that is still possible.

At least 24 NGOs have reported impacts from orders in the past week resulting in the forced displacement of staff members, operations disrupted, and at least one site sheltering civilians under attack. Warehouses storing supplies are located within the blocks that have come under orders that are resulting in forcible displacement.

So-called ‘“evacuation” orders issued by Israeli authorities on 13, 15, 16 and 21 August continue to obstruct aid operations, affecting a number of agencies including Save the Children, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), MSF, Solidarités International, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Oxfam, Humanity & Inclusion, Action Against Hunger, Islamic Relief, Project HOPE, DanChurchAid and Norwegian Church Aid and partners, and Palestinian partners of ActionAid, War Child, Danish Refugee Council, Médicos del Mundo, Middle East Children’s Alliance and WeWorld.

A shelter belonging to NERA has come under fire, while NRC has waited more than 15 days for the Israeli authorities to respond to a request to deconflict an area where they seek to relocate staff following Israel’s latest displacement order.

The UN said that multiple orders issued by Israeli forces in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah between 8 and 17 August impacted 17 health facilities, including five primary healthcare centers and nine medical points, disrupting essential health services. Disruptions will also threaten the ability to administer critically needed polio vaccines once they arrive in Gaza.

Communities are cut off from vital aid, as suppliers who deliver essential items like water, face challenges reaching locations close to the areas which people have been ordered to leave.

Humanitarian actors must be allowed to deliver aid based on need rather than the designation of safe areas by a party to the conflict.

“Even if Israeli authorities let polio vaccines in, with the biggest responders in Gaza constantly pin-balled from one place to the next, how can we deliver an effective campaign and reach the children in dire need of that protection? If you want to understand the access situation, this is it – not the trickle of trucks exceptionally allowed to enter.” said Jeremy Stoner, Save the Children Regional Director for the Middle East.

“Palestinians in Gaza have been relentlessly uprooted, forced from one so-called ‘safe’ area to the next, enduring unimaginable hardship and loss. Among them are brave humanitarian workers who risk their lives every day to save others. Our ability to provide meaningful aid in any part of Gaza does not meet our ambitions, l let alone the overwhelming needs. Deir al-Balah, once declared a humanitarian zone, is now under attack with bombardment at our doorstep,” said Sally Abi Khalil, Oxfam’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are a humanitarian organisation, trying to deliver humanitarian services in what Israel had unilaterally declared a ‘humanitarian zone’. These conditions don’t just punish us, they impact civilians in desperate need of assistance,” said Suze van Meegen, NRC’s acting Country Director in Palestine.

“The situation has become incredibly dangerous. There’s constant fighting, and the sounds of shelling and explosions are clearly audible. Skin diseases are spreading rapidly. We’re all becoming paranoid that we’ll get infected. The physical toll is real. I’ve been having severe stomach pains, likely from the contaminated water we’re forced to drink. I don’t know how much longer we can survive like this,” said Lena*, Mercy Corps staff member in Gaza.

For more than 10 months, humanitarian organisations have called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. Now the looming risk of a polio outbreak and urgent need to vaccinate children in Gaza makes this more urgent than ever.

All parties to conflict have an obligation to facilitate humanitarian access at all times. Israel as the occupying power is obligated to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the occupied population are met. This includes facilitating humanitarian aid and creating conditions that enable the safe provision of supplies, and has been ordered by the International Court of Justice in its provisional measures of 26 January and 24 May.

Rafah served as the main hub for Gaza’s strained aid operations until early May, when Israeli forces expanded their ground operations there. Aid agencies were forced to move their operations to Deir al-Balah. With northern Gaza decimated, southern Gaza largely inaccessible, civilians and aid workers, and critically needed humanitarian operations, now have nowhere left to go.

Editor’s Note
The Israeli designated “humanitarian zone” now ecompasses less than 11 percent of Gaza, according to the UN.
Civilians who are unable or unwilling to leave their homes remain protected under international humanitarian law.

Signed on:
Save the Children
War Child
ActionAid
DanChurchAid
Solidarités International
Islamic Relief
Middle East Children’s Alliance
Danish Refugee Council
WeWorld
Humanity & Inclusion/ Handicap International (HI)
Norwegian People’s Aid
Project HOPE
The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development – REFORM
Agricultural Development Association – PARC
Anera
Médicos del Mundo
Médecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Medical Aid for Palestinians
Norwegian Church Aid
Action Against Hunger
ChildFund Alliance
Global Communities
Mercy Corps
Oxfam
CARE International
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

The post Gaza: New Israeli orders force thousands in Deir al-Balah to flee again, and disrupt last aid hub appeared first on Global Communities.

The post Protection in Emergencies appeared first on Global Communities.

“We are addressing the most profound needs I’ve ever witnessed, transcending mere survival and food security, to fundamentally sustain the human spirit in our vulnerable communities,” said a staff member who directs Global Communities’ food assistance program in Gaza. 

The decision to increase the number of meals was driven by an acute awareness of the dire circumstances facing those most affected by the Israel/Palestinian war. The entire population of Gaza is currently facing acute food insecurity, including one million people for whom famine is imminent.

Global Communities has escalated its operations, including the addition of a new distribution site, to accommodate the increased demand for food. To date, our Palestinian-led team has provided nearly 2.1 million hot meals to those in need. This is in addition to more than 157,000 food parcels we have distributed outside United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) centers since January. Each food parcel provides two weeks of support for a family of five people.

“At Global Communities, our priority and guiding principle is the delivery of humanitarian aid to those severely affected,” said Carrie Hessler-Radelet, CEO and President of Global Communities. “Our dedication to this cause is matched by the incredible courage of our staff in Gaza, who, despite their own losses and hardships, continue to facilitate our humanitarian response with steadfast dedication. Their courage in the face of danger is a powerful testament to the values we hold dear at Global Communities.” 

As the conflict enters its seventh month, women, children and newborns continue to suffer disproportionately. In February 2024, the Global Nutrition Cluster released a report documenting the deteriorating nutrition situation in Gaza due to food insecurity, lack of access to safe water and sanitation, widespread disease and a collapsed health system. Over 90% of children under 2 and pregnant and lactating women are eating two or fewer food groups each day, and the food they have access to is of the lowest nutritional value. 

In early March, to help address this crisis, Global Communities started an initiative to reach pregnant and lactating women and children ages 3 months to 5 years old with Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (LNS). To date, we have reached 8,000 people with LNS and plan to scale up our operations to reach approximately 105,000 people monthly. 

Read more here about our ongoing relief efforts in Gaza.

The post Global Communities Ramps Up Hot Meal Distribution, Nutrition Assistance in Gaza  appeared first on Global Communities.

Last month, the World Bank held its 2024 Fragility Forum – a biannual conference that brings together policymakers, researchers and practitioners from humanitarian, development and peacebuilding communities to exchange knowledge and ideas about how to improve our approaches in fragile, conflict and violence-affected settings. This year’s theme was “Adapting and Innovating in a Volatile World.” 

After the Forum, I asked my Global Communities’ colleagues who attended the event for their reflections. Kelly Van Husen, Vice President for Humanitarian Assistance; Patricia Dorsher, Senior Manager for Humanitarian Business Development; Meena Grigat, Director of Humanitarian and Nexus Business Development; and Patrick Woodruff, Manager for Humanitarian Assistance participated in the exchange. The conversation was edited for length and clarity. 

Paula: In most of the sessions I attended, the panelists painted a bleak picture. The world is increasingly fragile, marred with compounded crises and intertwined risks, from protracted conflicts and climate disasters to chronic political instability and widespread food insecurity. The World Bank estimates that by 2030, almost 60% of the world’s poor will live in countries classified as fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS). During the opening session, Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank noted that we cannot end poverty without addressing fragility. She also said, “I’m going to be very honest with you. … We are not preventing conflict.” Why? What are the key factors behind these alarming trends?  

Patricia: I have been working on our humanitarian assistance portfolio for the past few years and found it difficult to identify funders who are willing to address the root causes of conflict in contexts like Syria, where the outcomes are very political. For example, investing in infrastructure in the non-regime areas could help stabilize the lives for millions of people, but humanitarian donors do not see this as their purview and development actors do not want to pay for something where there is no recognized government counterpart to work with. We have been working to find intermediate solutions, but with funds decreasing, humanitarian donors want to focus on the urgent, lifesaving activities and not those that can help counter systemic fragility.  

Patrick: Well said, Patricia. Humanitarian and development organizations are often forced to choose between working with actors considered illegitimate by the international community and restricting or even halting programming to at-risk populations. This was evident after the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan. The disengagement of many actors, including donors, not only left many people at increased risk, but resulted in brain drain of trained humanitarian workers who fled the country or went underground. The lack of funding and support for national non-governmental organizations has led to devastating backtracking on hard-won gains in the rights of women and minority groups. We can see this trend in almost every major crisis today, from Ukraine and Syria to Gaza and the West Bank. Furthermore, many, if not most humanitarian and development organizations are overly reliant on government funding from the Global North. It makes it increasingly difficult to respond to the needs on the ground when the donor countries are aligned with one side of a conflict. While this is understandable from a political standpoint, porous funding streams leave hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people without lifesaving aid, in direct contradiction to the humanitarian principles.

Patricia: So true! During the session on “State Building in Protracted Crises,” I was struck by the discussion on Palestine led by Nigel Roberts, former Country Director for Gaza and the West Bank at the World Bank. Roberts talked about how the World Bank is designed to be apolitical – at least at a technocratic level – but is beholden to a board that is, by nature, political. Because of this dichotomy, the World Bank has missed many opportunities to help realize economic improvements and development objectives for Palestinians. This resonated with me. In humanitarian assistance, we frequently grapple with the mandate to be “neutral” and “apolitical,” and yet our largest government donors are responsible for carrying out domestic and foreign policies. Being neutral or apolitical is often thought of as the refusal to choose sides, but we fail to recognize that this is also a choice with consequences. It raises the question of what it means to be neutral or apolitical, and if it is ever truly possible.  

Paula: How can we, and others in the sector, address these challenges?  

Patrick: To me, some of the most impactful discussions at the Fragility Forum were around the need to stay engaged in challenging situations, including by finding ways to work with illegitimate or diplomatically isolated actors. Many panelists emphasized that humanitarian organizations have the moral responsibility to remain engaged in order to alleviate suffering. They also noted that continued engagement decreases the financial and social costs that result from humanitarian and development actors leaving in the face of these challenges. Of course, there is no easy solution to this, and every organization needs to make its own decisions based on acceptable risk levels. I think that the most important thing that organizations can do is to protect the foundations of humanitarian work, which is rooted in the principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. By reinforcing these ideals, organizations will be better positioned to respond to crises based on needs. 

Meena: The sessions I listened to reinforced the importance of investing time and resources into developing an in-depth understanding of the local context. It is very important to build long-term relationships with local communities and actors, and to conduct political economy and conflict analyses. We must be ready to work with communities and local systems over the long-term in order to see impact. 

Patricia: I have to echo what Meena said. You can’t ignore the political context and conflict dynamics. Understanding them at the macro, meso, micro and even household levels is essential if we want to work effectively in fragile and conflict-affected areas. I also want to second what Patrick said about staying engaged. When a new crisis emerges, donors and implementers cannot just forget about conflicts that have been going on for years or decades. When Russia invaded Ukraine, there was a sudden reassignment of critical funding and programming to Ukraine and its refugees. Now, the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza dominates the headlines. While we must respond to these new crises to the fullest extent possible, we must still remember about people in Yemen, Syria and other fragile states with protracted conflicts and instability. Their voices deserve to be heard, and their needs deserve to be met, too. I am proud of our programming in Syria, where we have been addressing food security, protection, water, sanitation and shelter needs for a decade. I truly hope donors will remain engaged there for years to come. 

Kelly: One theme that I heard repeatedly in the sessions I attended was around the need to be agile and innovative. This is not necessarily new, but the speakers highlighted how critical it is for implementers – particularly those working in fragile contexts – to be flexible: constantly evaluating, assessing and identifying new opportunities to shift programming to better meet humanitarian needs and more effectively achieve program outcomes. The Forum also reinforced the need for continued advocacy to our donors, policymakers and other stakeholders around flexible funding mechanisms. In a volatile world we live in, funding mechanisms must have built-in opportunities, such as crisis modifiers, to quickly adapt and pivot to rapid emergency response.  

Paula: Indeed. The ability to fluidly respond to changing circumstances is a game changer. We have witnessed how crucial this is in many contexts. In Ukraine, for example, our long-term development program – Decentralization Offering Better Results and Efficiency (DOBRE) – was able to quickly mobilize its networks and provide rapid emergency response right at the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. This paved a way for the Community-Led Emergency Action and Response (CLEAR) program, which we launched soon after in two regions overlapping with DOBRE. By layering life-saving humanitarian interventions with development assistance, we can more effectively respond to the crisis, set the stage for post-war recovery and foster lasting resilience to shocks and stresses.  

Ethiopia also comes to mind, where we are implementing the Resilience in Pastoral Areas South (RIPA South) project. In March 2022, amid one of the driest rainy seasons on record, RIPA South activated a Crisis Modifier to address urgent needs of the most vulnerable people affected by the drought. The Crisis Modifier sets aside funds for emergency response measures to save people’s lives, rescue livestock and safeguard economic gains made possible by development activities. We have categorized these interventions into three windows: livestock support, multi-purpose cash assistance and access to water, sanitation and hygiene.  

Paula: Where else is Global Communities adapting or innovating in the face of fragility and constant change? 

Kelly: Gaza was mentioned several times during the Forum. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, we have pivoted more than 20 years of programming to address the urgent needs resulting from this devastating humanitarian crisis. Our teams are managing to adapt and innovate in Gaza, despite extremely constrained and dangerous circumstances. As you know, 2.2 million people are at the imminent risk of famine, and we are proud to serve as the World Food Programme’s (WFP) main implementing partner. We have been able to shift our WFP work from cash to in-kind assistance, and we have pooled resources and knowledge to partner with others, for example the World Central Kitchen, to provide hot meals. We are also distributing nutritional supplements to pregnant women, nursing mothers and small children who are at increased risk of malnutrition. In addition, we are setting up latrines and sinks, and he have provided winterization support to many families. This represents critically needed agility and creativity that has enabled us to continue working in this extremely challenging environment.  

Paula: Agility in adapting to evolving needs is vital in our efforts to ensure efficient, timely support in both stable and crisis conditions. I imagine we have had to adapt and innovate our own internal processes and mechanisms to make it happen.  

Patrick: Yes, absolutely. Global Communities is currently developing Protocols for Emergency Response, so that we are humanitarian-ready even in relatively stable environments. I am personally involved in this effort. We want to ensure that our organization has systems in place to respond to natural disasters and conflicts quickly and effectively. We place a heavy focus on increasing the resilience, preparedness and ability of our country teams to respond with existing programming. This is often done by leveraging our ongoing development programs, like in Gaza, Ukraine or Ethiopia. 

Kelly: We work at the intersection of sustainable development and humanitarian assistance, so strenghtening the capacity of our country teams to pivot from development programming to emergency response is one of our main internal priorities.  

Paula: Many panelists emphasized how important it is to strengthen local institutions and make them more inclusive in order to solve conflicts and maintain peace. For example, Bjerde said that it is crucial to focus not just on services but also on the institutions behind the services, making sure that their capacity is built. “When things go wrong, when things get difficult and hard, it’s those institutions that need to actually step up even more,” she said. What are your thoughts on this? 

Patrick: I agree. This brings up the topic of localization, which was frequently mentioned at the Forum too. To protect hard fought gains, we must ensure that local and national actors – who do the vast majority of the work on the ground – have the adequate resources and power to adapt their programming in a way that is contextually appropriate.   

Paula: Right. Ultimately, it is the local communities and institutions who have the intimate understanding of their needs and priorities, and who can design context-specific and culturally relevant interventions. This came up a lot in the session “Gender Equality in FCV Settings: Moving from Humanitarian Responses to Creating Resilience.” Amini Kajunju from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development spoke very passionately about investing in community-driven solutions, leveraging local expertise and elevating local women leaders. She also stressed that civil society organizations are central to providing services in fragile settings, especially when state institutions are weakened. I know that our sector has a long way to go to fully realize the localization principles, but I think we are making strides. For example, localization is a core strategy of our CLEAR project in Ukraine, where we invest in small, community-based organizations (CBOs), which deliver emergency assistance and protection services to war-affected populations. Of course, this approach has its challenges. When I visited Ukraine last year, many CBO leaders shared their struggles with strict donor compliance requirements. We hear it in other settings, like Syria, too. This is where we come in with our capacity strengthening interventions, which are extremely helpful, but take time. 

Paula: How else did the conference connect with the work you are doing at Global Communities? 

Meena: The session “Troubled Borders: Subnational Conflict in Middle Income Countries” was relevant to the context in northern Ghana, where we have extensive experience implementing water, sanitation and hygiene programs. The region is one of the key focus areas under the U.S. Global Fragility Act. Communities in the districts along the borders of northern Ghana are part of interconnected trade and migration networks, and there are major concerns over the spread of violent extremism into these communities. The speakers stressed the complexity of border economies and governance institutions, and the need to consider market systems, the flow of goods and ideas, the role of the state, and the ability of local actors to arbitrate conflict. 

Paula: Great point. Conflicts and the climate crisis do not recognize borders. Several panelists also emphasized the need to support countries receiving refugees and discussed the global impact of the war in Ukraine. The fragility that has emanated from Russia’s invasion has cascaded globally, affecting countries not just in Ukraine’s vicinity, but states on other continents. For example, the conflict has had a major impact on the global wheat supply, resulting in a widespread food security crisis.  

Thank you for sharing your reflections. As some of the panelists noted, sustainable development is not possible without sustainable peace, and we need tectonic shifts and holistic approaches to address the interconnected global risks and polycrises. I left the Fragility Forum and our conversation with the following recommendations:  

• Anticipate better and be prepared to ensure effective, timely support when conditions change. 
• Remain engaged when challenges arise. Ensure stable funding streams. Continuity is vital when fragility grows.  
• Acknowledge that conflicts and the climate crisis do not recognize borders. 
• Focus on prevention and resilience building. Address the drivers and root causes of fragility. 
• Strengthen state institutions, engage the private sector and invest in civil society organizations, including women- and youth-led groups, which are often first responders in fragile settings and play a huge role in recovery efforts. 
• Improve governance and the rule of law. 
• Ensure that interventions are inclusive and gender-responsive. Talk to people you typically do not engage with. 
• Localize development and humanitarian interventions. 

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