The Issue
Since 7 October 2023, 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip have suffered the consequences of active conflict and loss of access to essential goods and services. Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations continue to be reported across Gaza. By January 2025 this had resulted in some 45,000 people killed in Gaza (70% estimated to be women and children), the displacement of 1.7 million people (75% of the population), and the widespread destruction of houses, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure.
Living without electricity and increasingly limited access to other basic services (water, healthcare, shelter), most people within Gaza are displaced, and the entire population is considered in need of humanitarian support. More than 100,000 people have been wounded, and with little access to healthcare, victims remain exceedingly vulnerable. The issue addressed by the project is an emergency response to the current situation in Gaza particularly focusing on responding to cash and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs.
The Project
To respond to the crisis in Gaza, this intervention was designed to focus on addressing needs related to cash as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The project employed Emergency Multipurpose Cash Assistance to vulnerable people within Gaza, with the objective of enabling people affected by conflict to access essential basic goods and services during the ongoing crisis.
In addition to cash assistance, the project also provided essential cleaning, maintenance, and light, protective repairs to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities within shelters.
The project aimed to support the restoration of basic services within Gaza through the repair of public infrastructure. And lastly, it aimed to meet the short-to-medium-term needs of displaced people through support of shelters and basic non-food items to families remaining displaced in informal shelters. This support aimed to enable internally displaced persons to improve safety, dignity, and protection of their living facilities.
The Change
The main expected result from this intervention was that conflict-affected families receive emergency cash and in-kind support to enable the meeting of basic needs. More precisely, the intervention was expected to enhance access to basic goods and services, improving the immediate well-being of vulnerable individuals. It also aimed to lead to better public health and sanitation by increasing access to clean water and improving hygiene facilities.
The restoration of essential water, sanitation and hygiene services aimed to benefit the broader community, contributing to public health and safety. Additionally, providing shelter and non-food items support was to increase safety and dignity for displaced families.
The Results
The emergency multi-purpose cash assistance was disbursed to 555 households, reaching 3,052 beneficiaries. Post-distribution monitoring by local partners indicates that most of the cash was spent on food, followed by other lifesaving necessities such as medicine and water supplies. This demonstrates our support in ensuring these families can access their most basic needs. Additionally, the project successfully implemented light repairs to three water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in the targeted shelters within the Rafah Governorate, benefiting 6,024 people. These repairs have provided access to clean facilities, thereby increasing beneficiaries’ dignity, privacy, and overall well-being.
Furthermore, public infrastructure activities – wastewater and solid waste repairs – in Deir Al Balah Camp has benefited approximately 40,000 beneficiaries.
Our Partner
DCA/NCA works with MA’AN Development Center to implement the project. MA’AN is an independent Palestinian development and training NGO working in Gaza and the West Bank. MA’AN is one of the largest local agencies in Palestine, supporting both humanitarian, development and empowerment programming. MA’AN maintains a thorough portfolio and expertise in cash and voucher assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene, food security and protection programming. Since the outbreak of war in 2023, the organization is actively responding in Gaza.
Our Work
DCA and NCA work in Palestine to support Palestinian communities in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem to be economically and socially resilient and active participants in decision making processes affecting their lives. This includes advocating for respect for international humanitarian law, human rights and a just peace. Since October 7, 2023, DCA/NCA has taken part in the humanitarian response to the war in Gaza.
About the project
Full title: Integrated Emergency Response to the Gaza Crisis; MPCA, WASH, Shelter / NFI Support to Conflict-Affected Families
Period: December 2023 – December 2024
Partner: MA’AN Development Center
Funding: DKK 4,794,636
Expected number of people reached: 38,000
Main Donors: CLWR, Humanitarian Coalition & the Canadian Government
