Humanitarian Coordination and Advocacy - OCHA 2019

January 2019 - Palestinians face a long-term humanitarian crisis with approximately 1 in 2 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza requiring some form of humanitarian assistance. The impacts on vulnerable Palestinians include limited access to safe water and sanitation persistent food and income insecurity and the risk of sexual and gender-based violence. With GAC’s support the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) works with local and international relief organizations and agencies to facilitate the coordination of effective and principled humanitarian action and advocacy to help alleviate human suffering and promote the rights of people in need. Project activities include: (1) enhancing situational awareness of humanitarian stakeholders through preparing reports briefings maps fact sheets tours and analyses including gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities; (2) planning and monitoring humanitarian responses including conducting analyses of vulnerability to best prioritize needs and better integrating gender mainstreaming and community engagement into the response structure; (3) strengthening the coordination mechanisms to ensure effective and coherent delivery of humanitarian assistance and encourage the participation of local non-governmental organizations and women’s groups; (4) coordinating and managing the Humanitarian Programming Cycle including planning monitoring and improved gender mainstreaming; (5) continuing to advocate for humanitarian access and space and protection from harm; and (6) supporting emergency preparedness and response planning efforts.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) coordination mechanisms that are lighter context specific and flexible; (2) more credible comprehensive and evidence-based situational analysis; (3) an effective innovative humanitarian financing system that meets the needs of crisis-affected people; and (4) international acceptance of the centrality of international humanitarian and human rights law access and protection that results in meaningful action for affected people especially internally displaced people. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.