Two Years On from Conflict in Gaza
ActionAid’s Response in Gaza
July 8th marks two years since the 2014 Israeli conflict in Gaza, which left over 2,000 dead and 100,000 Gazans displaced. In response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a consequence of the war, ActionAid began an emergency programme with a number of local partners in Gaza supporting approximately 16,870 individuals (2,410 families).
One of the people aided through the emergency programme was a 37 years old woman from Rafah. She has been entrenched into poverty most of her life; she is a mother of five and she was divorced due to her ex-husband’s unending abuse.
She said “now I have a small project, I am so proud that I have become a productive woman in the society. I can secure food to my children. I have a bank account and I am saving money for my children and the future. I am working all the time and I have produced different types of embroideries. Together with another woman, we established small scale project. She provided the place and I provided all materials and sewing machines that I received from ActionAid. I am happy I helped another woman to start her dream as well. We are dreaming to enlarge and develop our business and to promote our products effectively”.
To date ActionAid Palestine has worked with different local partners:
WEFAQ Association for Women and Child Care has:
- Provided free legal consultations for affected women and family mediations
- Provided group therapy sessions for affected women
- Conducted legal awareness workshops
- Organised public hearings on domestic violence and advocacy
- Developed legal awareness materials
- Produced research on the barriers and opportunities for women’s leadership in disasters/conflict situation
The Palestinian NGO’s Network (PNGO) has produced accountability tool kits with English and Arabic version being distributed to relevant UN, INGOs, Clusters and NGOs.
The Agriculture Development Association (PARC) produced the 5th fact sheet on Israeli Forces’ violation of Agriculture and access to farms. The 2nd global online petition that demands full access to land for farmers and a documentary film on food security/livelihood are ongoing.
Al Aqsa Club a community based organisation conducted community orientation to start a Local Rights Programme to enhance the resilience of four communities in Middle Area, Gaza, and conducted a series of meetings establishing women and youth groups.
Photo, R K, 37, from Rafa Gaza (Initials only given)