Effective Humanitarian Gender-Based Violence Responses - UNFPA 2017

January 2017 - This project is part of the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan for the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Projects under this appeal help to reduce the vulnerability of Palestinians especially women and children affected by the ongoing crisis. Of the 4.8 million people who live in the West Bank and Gaza the United Nations estimates that approximately two million will need some form of humanitarian assistance in 2017. Palestinians endure high rates of poverty unemployment and food insecurity. Internal displacement and recurrent conflict have eroded coping mechanisms and necessitate a humanitarian response focused on protection. With Global Affairs Canada’s support the United Nations Population Fund aims to provide essential medical psychosocial and legal services to approximately 5 000 survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). This is achieved through establishing four “one-safe-stop centres” in high priority vulnerable areas where women men and adolescent girls and boys can receive holistic medical and psychosocial support and be referred to other services such as legal assistance and counselling. The project also works to enhance community engagement and works with community leaders to respond to GBV prevention and protection threats and incidents.

The expected results for this project include: (1) reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children; specifically (2) strengthened available and accessible safe confidential compassionate multi-sectoral responses to gender-based violence including psychosocial support and legal assistance; and (3) enhanced community engagement and work with community leaders to effectively respond to gender-based violence prevention and protection threats and incidents. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or that are food insecure.