RISK MITIGATION ASSESSMENT REPORT

TO PREVENT SEA IN THE GAZA STRIP AND

THE WEST BANK

PSEA Network – Occupied Palestinian Territories

April 2024

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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 4
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 6

METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 6
OVERVIEW OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE.......................................................................................... 7

PART I: ENABLING ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................ 7

Law and Policies, Government Institutions ................................................................................................... 7
Policy & Societal Norms ................................................................................................................................ 9
Community awareness, attitude, and practices around Gender, GBV and SEA ......................................... 11

PART II: SOCIO- ECONOMIC CONTEXT ..................................................................................... 12

Economic Factors ........................................................................................................................................... 12

The Gaza Strip........................................................................................................................ 12

Gaza Economic Conditions .......................................................................................................................... 12
Findings Relating to Aid Distribution, Food Security, Shelter & WASH ....................................................... 14
Crisis Scope & Intensity ............................................................................................................................... 18
Summary of SEA and Safeguarding Risks .................................................................................................... 22

The West Bank ....................................................................................................................... 23

Socio-political factors .................................................................................................................................. 23
West Bank Preparedness Needs ................................................................................................................. 23
Social Factors ................................................................................................................................................. 24

The Gaza Strip........................................................................................................................ 24

Gender Dynamics ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Community Safety and Social Support ........................................................................................................ 25
Cultural and Organizational Norms ............................................................................................................. 25
Increased negative coping mechanisms ..................................................................................................... 25
High risks of child labour and child marriage .............................................................................................. 26
Findings relating to social factors................................................................................................................ 27
Summary of SEA and Safeguarding Risks .................................................................................................... 31

The West Bank ....................................................................................................................... 32

Poverty ........................................................................................................................................................ 32
Education .................................................................................................................................................... 32
Healthcare ................................................................................................................................................... 33
Unemployment rate .................................................................................................................................... 33
Social cohesion concerns ............................................................................................................................ 33
West Bank Preparedness Needs ................................................................................................................. 33

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Technological Factors .................................................................................................................................... 34

The Gaza Strip........................................................................................................................ 34

Summary of Safeguarding Risks .................................................................................................................. 36

The West Bank ....................................................................................................................... 37

West Bank Preparedness Needs ................................................................................................................. 37
Environmental Factors ................................................................................................................................... 38

The Gaza Strip........................................................................................................................ 38

Summary of Safeguarding Risks .................................................................................................................. 41

The West Bank ....................................................................................................................... 41

West Bank Preparedness Needs ................................................................................................................. 42

Aid and Development Workers’ Attitudes and Behaviours (Gaza & the WB) ............................ 42
PART III: OPERATIONAL CONTEXT ........................................................................................... 43
Needs Scale & Complexity ...................................................................................................... 43
Response Institutions ............................................................................................................. 44
Senior leadership, Organisational culture and practices & Partnerships .................................................... 45

Response Modalities .............................................................................................................. 46

PSEA Mainstreaming in Clusters and Working Groups ............................................................................... 46
Programming modalities ............................................................................................................................. 46
PSEA Integration into program/project budgets ........................................................................................ 47
Identification of program project risks ....................................................................................................... 48

PART IV: PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................... 48

Capacity and Resources .............................................................................................................................. 48
Mechanism and Accountability ................................................................................................................... 48
Reporting..................................................................................................................................................... 49
Inter-agency SEA Referral Procedures ........................................................................................................ 50
Community Awareness ............................................................................................................................... 50
Investigations .............................................................................................................................................. 51
Annex I: Gaza SEA Drivers Summary Table ..................................................................................................... 52
Annex II: SEA_ Safeguarding Risks and Mitigation- Distribution .................................................................... 54

Safeguarding Risks in Distribution .......................................................................................... 54

Safeguarding Risks in Food Distribution .................................................................................. 57
Safeguarding Risks in WASH ................................................................................................... 61
Safeguarding Risks In Shelter.................................................................................................. 61
Annex III: West Bank Safeguarding Preparedness Checklist ........................................................................... 68

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Before the current crisis, the PSEA network was well stablished as a key resource for 96 organizations working
to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse. The network's strategic helpline was crucial in offering a victim-centred
approach and improving the referral of high-risk cases. Efforts were also made to build a community of practice
through peer-to-peer training, addressing technical assistance and capacity-building gaps. There was a regular
flow of feedback and reporting through a well stablished field network of focal points and community feedback
channels.

The helpline, held by a local partner, has been strategic to build trust with communities and has addressed calls
about a range of sensitive and confidential claims regarding SEA but also GBV, CP, accountability and
safeguarding claims for affected populations. In 2020, the helpline provided a total of 9,936 counselling sessions,
in 2021 and in 2022 counselling sessions bypassed 23,000. In 2023 despite the severe communication
restrictions, the helpline provided 28,228 counselling sessions; 18,638 since the beginning of the war. Since
October the helpline has answered 43,954 calls. These calls have been crucial entry points for Mental Health
Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), medical sessions, and referrals for food and cash. The helpline has
addressed 9,002 mentions of SGBV forms, 4,860 during counselling sessions since October 2023, 1,060 on poor
access to food or starvation, including child deaths, and has incorporated the protocol for unaccompanied and
missing children.

In 2023, the PSEA Network transitioned to a new visual identity. Under the name SANAD –support – the PSEA
Network wanted to be closer to the community. SANAD was launched at the end of December 2023 and despite
the difficulties in connectivity, it shows a steady growth in posts’ reach, engagement and followers, with an
average 1.9 million Meta audience members reached monthly. SANAD aims to be recognized as the most
reliable, trusted, and popular public engagement platform, uniting the efforts of the UN, INGOs, Palestinian
NGOs and civil society organizations in the State of Palestine. Grassroots organizations, thus, promote SANAD
PSEA awareness through community mobilization. To this date, 183,481 children and their caregivers have
received SANAD messages in the Gaza Strip. The annual Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) reporting
showed a significant increase in reporting capacity among network members compared to the previous year,
reflecting shared responsibilities. In 2023, there were 1,085 sites where awareness-raising campaigns and
activities on reporting SEA took place, and more than 600k individuals were engaged in awareness-raising
activities and community mobilization interventions on PSEA in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

According to the SEARO 2022 Index1, Palestine ranked in the 20th position among the context with higher risks
of SEA. Yet, the onset of the war has challenged the resilience of the network and a completely different context
is unfolding with important emergent risks of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers and related
personnel. At large, risks of SEA by other actors have also skyrocketed. For these reasons, the PSEA Network
lead on the elaboration of the SEA Risk assessment that aims to inform the emergency response on drivers of
SEA, concrete risks and mitigation measures. Having in mind that the 2023 update of the SEARO index will yet
not reflect the current crisis, the risk assessment offers an important qualitative insight with concrete details
impacting affected communities while future SEARO exercises capture the impact on Global trends, certainly
oPt will enroll into the top ten contexts at higher risks of SEA for affected communities.

The Gaza Strip methodology involved a combination of primary and secondary data collection methods due to
the challenging situation that prevented representative primary data collection, particularly through interviews
or consultations. The primary method utilized was a Multi-Sectoral Diagnostic Tool developed to identify gaps
in the prevention and mitigation of potential safeguarding risks across various humanitarian response sectors,
including WASH, shelter, food security, and general distribution activities. 107 samples of the diagnostic tool
were collected by volunteers in all different areas of the Gaza Strip. West Bank methodology focused on

1 SEARO Beta v.1.1. Index Data.xlsx (live.com)

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qualitative approaches to understand safeguarding risks at organizational levels, allowing for consultations and
interviews with CSOs and CBOs. The data was analyses against a PESTLE framework and the report is organized
following the SEARO model.

The results of the assessment clearly indicate high operational risks in all areas of concern that should be match
with a proportional response to integrate SEA risk mitigation responses in all operations and with support to the
PSEA in- country structure to meet the challenge.

In terms of Law and Policies, Government Institutions, the total breakdown of government institutions in the
Gaza Strip and partial in the West Bank, depicts a context were Palestinian communities lack the most
fundamental accountability framework: rule of law and are exposed to the occupying power practices with no
means to defend themselves. Absence of news coverage by international media and recurrent blackouts
further also endangers international outreach and proliferation of fake news which has polarized global
awareness and respect of global protection frameworks. Against this context, social and economic factors
compounded with technological and environmental factors draw the main drivers of SEA.
As economic factors the assessment has identified: lack of basic needs; hunger; absence formal economies;
and changes in the vulnerability framework as main areas of concern.
As social factors: overcrowding; loss of family and social support systems; weakened conflict resolution
mechanisms; hyper-masculinization of the conflict; exacerbated traditional and customary law with embedded
women discrimination practices; and mental health and collective trauma are the core issues affecting
individuals at higher risk of SEA.
In terms of technological factors, severe restrictions in mobility and deprivation of ICTs as tools for survival
profoundly affect communities’ opportunities to seek remedies.
Finally, environmental factors such as threat of endemics and pandemics; extended exposure to lack of
livelihood (including explosive remnants of war); and severe restrictions in mobility severely affect the most
vulnerable constituencies.
Rich qualitative data was consolidated in this report through media monitoring, interviews and one field visit to
the Gaza Strip. The results are in line with the spike on allegations received since February (more than twenty
safeguarding claims and twenty-three SEA reports have been documented by the PSEA network). Reports
pertaining safeguarding, child safeguarding and SEA have emerged on weekly basis. Yet, as this assessment
shows, the conditions to establish accountabilities and aid are extremely limited and while the PSEA Coordinator
is timely informed of all allegations when they are disclosed to the network of focal points the scope of action
remains highly restricted due to safety concerns and an extremely limited access to the operations. Remote
operational modalities, reliance on suppliers and implementing partners have diluted PSEA accountabilities of
key humanitarian actors. Moreover, an extremely chaotic environment and lack of assurances to survivors have
hampered survivors’ will to come forward and for agencies to identify perpetrators.

In terms of operational capacities, the PSEA Network is well stablished in oPt reporting directly to the HC/ RC,
well-staffed and with relative short and medium funding available. This should continue. Yet, humanitarian
actors must scale up their PSEA and Safeguarding capacity to prevent an epidemic of SEA abuses committed by
personnel related to humanitarian operations. This should be also seconded by programmatic actions to protect
the most vulnerable from sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers but also other actors. The Protection
crisis in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is of historic proportions, posing an existential
threat to Palestinians.

This report aims at informing operations and programs about underlying risks of SEA, therefore, they can
integrate risk mitigation measures in their operations and project the necessary changes to accommodate for
interventions that ensure the commitment towards a Do-No-Harm principle and the IASC Standard of
Humanitarian action.

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INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY

The safeguarding risk identification and mitigation plan development exercise was meticulously prepared for
four months, from October 2023 to January 2024, in the aftermath of the outbreak of the October 2023 conflict
and the subsequent escalation of violence within the Occupied West Bank. The report encompasses both the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The analysis employed the PESTLE framework as a strategic planning instrument,
facilitating the identification and evaluation of potential threats and opportunities.2 Utilizing this framework
enabled a thorough analysis of the prevailing factors in both Gaza and the West Bank, which could pose hazards
and risks in safeguarding. This analysis laid the foundation for formulating mitigation measures tailored to each
area. In the Gaza Strip, these measures were articulated as emergency checklists designed to support specific
humanitarian sectoral responses. Conversely, in the West Bank, the measures were articulated as preparedness
plans, encompassing minimum preparedness actions for organizations.
The Gaza Strip methodology involved a combination of primary and secondary data collection methods due to
the challenging situation that prevented representative primary data collection, particularly through interviews
or consultations. The primary method utilized was a Multi-Sectoral Diagnostic Tool developed to identify gaps
in the prevention and mitigation of potential safeguarding risks across various humanitarian response sectors,
including WASH, shelter, food security, and general distribution activities. This tool was designed for focal points
and volunteers to complete based on observations rather than interviews to adhere to the Do No Harm principle
and avoid overburdening the respondents. Observers, identified through the PSEA Network in Palestine,
completed 107 observations across different locations in the Gaza Strip, primarily during the humanitarian pause
starting on November 24, 2023. The tool was informed by checklists, risk assessments, and risk mitigation plans
from other humanitarian crises, aiming to assess basic minimum standards and measures for preventing or
mitigating safeguarding cases.
Key Informant Interviews were another primary method, involving discussions with individuals from various
humanitarian clusters focusing on the Gaza Strip and local organizations to assess the situation and the
challenges faced.
Secondary Data played a crucial role in identifying safeguarding risks, monitoring formal and informal news and
media, conducting internet-based searches for reports, academic articles, and consulting frameworks and
guidelines developed by IASC and other UN Agencies over three months from October 2023 to January 2024.
West Bank methodology focused on qualitative approaches to understand safeguarding risks at organizational
levels, allowing for consultations and interviews with CSOs and CBOs. This approach aimed to identify risk factors
and develop preparedness checklists as guidelines for organizations to mitigate safeguarding risks. The
development of these measures consulted various frameworks and guidelines emphasizing emergency
preparedness and response. Secondary data collection and consultations with CSOs and CBOs in the West Bank
were also conducted to identify risk factors, utilizing a similar approach to that used for the Gaza Strip but
tailored to the different contexts and situations in the West Bank.
Limitations of the study
Data collection took place during active conflict and in the midst of forced population displacement towards
Rafah, the south of the Gaza Strip. In these conditions, while data collected and secondary data analyses provided
valuable insights into the factors contributing to safeguarding/ SEA risks in the OPT, the limitations include:

2
This approach significantly leverages Francis Aguilar’s PESTLE (Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) analytical
framework.

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Lack of quantitative data and limited discussions on response mechanisms and the direct impact of operational
conditions on SEA risks. Hampered access of humanitarian aid has severely impacted the full deployment of
humanitarian actors. As the emergency response gets fully consolidated, further analysis should delve into the
concrete nuances of governorates and regions and future plans for multisectoral assessments must include PSEA
assessment questions.

Insufficient information on vulnerable constituencies- Specific Risks and nuances in differentiated governorates:
program-based safeguarding analysis must address gender and children’s specific interventions, localized and in
relation to specific SEA/ Safeguarding risks.

OVERVIEW OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE

PART I: ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

Law and Policies, Government Institutions

Prior to the war, the legal, political and government framework in oPt enshrined important structural
discrimination against women. Under the Personal Status Law (Art. 47), a woman can be ‘head of household’ or
head of family in the same way as a man. However, the legal provisions require a married woman to obey her
husband 3 and cannot obtain a judgment of divorce in the same way as a man. 4 Women have equal
administrative power and ownership rights to immovable property, including land. 5 However, they cannot
inherit assets from their parents or surviving spouses.6 However, in practice, women and men enjoy equal rights
to immovable property according to expert opinions on women's property, inheritance rights, and pensions,
indicating recognition of equality in these areas.7

Legislation is absent or insufficient, particularly concerning women’s rights and safety. There is no legislation in
place addressing domestic violence, leaving women without legal protection from abuse within the home. The
legislation does not cover femicide - the killing of women or girls because of their gender, and comprehensive
legislation on sexual harassment is lacking, which means there are no clear legal remedies or protection for
women facing harassment in various settings. In addition, the absence of legislation on child marriage led to
adverse effects on young girls, including limiting their educational and economic opportunities.8 Furthermore,
the lack of applicable provisions that prohibit discrimination in employment based on gender can lead to
discrimination in recruitment based on marital status, parental status, and age, as well as the absence of
guidelines on non-discrimination and flexible work arrangements. Women also do not have equal rights to
confer citizenship to their spouses and their children, and they cannot travel outside their homes in the same
way as men.9 The legal frameworks score for the West Bank and Gaza is 15.0 out of 100.0, significantly lower
than the global average (64.2) and the Middle East & North Africa regional average (38.6), with particularly low
scores in areas affecting women's safety. 10

3 Personal Status Law, Art. 47.

4 Personal Status Law, Arts. 82 and 102.
5
Personal Status Law, Ar. 183
6 Ibid.
7See The World Bank World Bank, Women, Business and the Law, West Bank and Gaza; page
https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2024/pilot/WBL24-2-0-West-bank-and-gaza.pdf
8
World Bank, Women, Business and the Law, West Bank and Gaza;
https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2024/pilot/WBL24-2-0-West-bank-and-gaza.pdf
9 Personal Status Law, Art. 69.
10 Ibid.

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With the onset of the war, women with children, adolescent and young girls and new and old women head of
households represent a large portion of the displaced population facing gender specific risks that must be
highlighted and mitigated. Food insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and acute aid dependency are highly engendered
matters that further expose women and children to SGBV and VAC, including by Aid Workers. Early analysis of
the conflict already stated that lifesaving inputs, such as water, sanitation, food, fuel, and health care, are critical
for the survival and well-being of these households. These must be matched with support for women and girls to
access safe shelter, protection support and maternal health care.11

As a result of the war, preexisting social- legal and political frameworks have been disrupted. Key findings from
a Rapid Gendered Analysis12 underlined new SEA enabling factors. The disruption of patriarchal norms hand in
hand with the loss of livelihood opportunities for men is an acute source of tension an violence; disruption in
health women-only services such a obstetric and SHRS care that exposes women to gender specific
vulnerabilities; deepened mental health deterioration of the displaced population, which was already a dire pre-
existing condition undermines women’s access to services; food insecurity that affects women and pregnant
women in higher proportions; worse access to sanitation facilities for women; break down of social norms of
privacy affecting safety; the collapse of the education system which releases a burden on women domestics
chores and finally intrafamilial tensions draw the picture of enabling factors for SEA on women and young and
adolescent girls. Finally, the vacuum left by the broke on the rule of law and extremely fragile effective
governance institutions also severely affect women exposing them to abuse and exploitation. On one hand
widening the rule of customary law, on the other deepening the role of social and cultural values to maintain
social cohesion that often do not foster women’s rights and accountability measures.

Child Protection
The State of Palestine has a high proportion of young people with almost half of the Palestinian population being
children. The number of children (under 18 years) was 2.35 million in the State of Palestine in 2022. As of June
2023, there were almost 905,000 registered Palestine refugee children, 635,000 in the Gaza Strip (70 per cent)
and 269,000 in the West Bank (30 percent) 13. The situation analysis released in July 2023, children’s track on
SDGs indicators was positive in important areas.

In right to survival and health, child mortality rates improved, yet malnutrition and mental health were a raising
issue of concern. With regard to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, latest update showed than only 4 in 10
households have access to improved drinking water and wealth and geographical location greatly impacted this
indicator. With regard to menstrual hygiene, 78.8 per cent were using appropriate sanitary means and with
regard to education, ECD was on track, and SoP was right on the right path to meet SDG school completion rates,
with a gap on adaptation to children with disabilities.

Yet, the analysis on the Right to protection, family environment and alternative care analysis prior to October,
clearly stated that children were deeply affected by a protracted crisis and ongoing armed conflict. Verified child
grave violations and detained children have been in the rise since 2021. In 2022, children continued to be
disproportionately affected by armed conflict, and the number of children verified as affected by grave violations
increased compared with 2021. The United Nations verified 3,133 grave violations against 1,139 Palestinian
children (1,057 boys, 82 girls).14 Killing and maiming; arrest and detention, health related incident, denial of
humanitarian access, demolition and displacement, and education- related incidents against children depict a
enabling environment that places children within a weak legal and institutional framework. Within this picture,

11 UN WOMEN rapid assessment and humanitarian response in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (20, October 2023)
12 Rapid gender analysis: gendered impacts of the October 2023 escalation in gaza (UNRWA, October 2023)
13 Situation Analysis of Children’s Rights and Wellbeing in the State of Palestine (Development Pathways, July 2023)
14 SG Report Children and armed conflict Report of the Secretary-General 2022 (A/77/895-S/2023/363)

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violence against children was already widespread prior to October, 64.8 of children aged 0-11 had experience
physical violence and more than three quarters experience psychological violence (76.7 per cent). Violence
against children was mainly perpetrated at home and was highly gendered. 15

Six months after the onset of the war, all SDG indicators above already show grave negative deviations. With 1
million affected children, UNICEF estimated that 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated from their
families in Gaza and 70% of injured and killed are women and children.16 The population of 2.23 million people
in the Gaza Strip is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase
Classification (IPC) report, and famine is imminent as half of the population – 1.1 million people– experience
catastrophic food insecurity. Only 3 litres of water are available per person per day (median) across 75 shelter
sites, as analysed by the WASH Cluster in a recent assessment. The most basic health care is also at risk, as
hospitals across the Gaza Strip struggle to maintain operations and to save lives, as stated by the World Health
Organization (WHO). Patients and medical personnel also lack food and water. Other children related health
services are halted or severely impacted 17 and education facilities are damage or destroyed in their great
majority. Against this picture, child labour and VAC is steady in the rise.

Policy & Societal Norms

Indicator Yes/No Year Source

Policy & Societal Norms
Legal Framework18
Safety
Is there legislation on domestic violence? No 2024 World Bank
Is there legislation on femicide? No 2024 World Bank
Is there comprehensive legislation on sexual harassment? No 2024 World Bank
Is there legislation on child marriage? No 2024 World Bank
Mobility
Can a woman choose where to live the same way as a man? No 2024 World Bank
Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a No 2024 World Bank
man?
Do women have equal rights to confer citizenship to their NO 2024 World Bank
spouses and children?
Marriage
Can a woman be ‘head of household’ or ‘head of family in Yes 2024 World Bank
the same way as a man?
Is the law free of legal provisions that require a married No 2024 World Bank
woman to obey her husband?
Can a woman obtain a judgment of divorce in the same way No 2024 World Bank
as a man?
Does a woman have the same right to remarry as a man? No 2024 World Bank
Childcare

15 Violence Survey in the Palestinian Society 2019. PCBS.

16 UNICEF Unaccompanied Children in Gaza Strip March 2024

17
UNICEF Escalation Humanitarian Situation Report No. 21
18World Bank, Women, Business and the Law, West Bank and Gaza;
https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2024/pilot/WBL24-2-0-West-bank-and-gaza.pdf

9
Does the law establish the provision of childcare services in Yes 2024 World Bank
centre-based settings?
Does the law establish any form of support to families for No 2024 World Bank
childcare services?
Does the law establish any form of support for non-state No 2024 World Bank
childcare providers?
Does the law establish quality standards for the provision of No 2024 World Bank
childcare services in centre-based settings?
Entrepreneurship
Can a woman undertake entrepreneurial activities in the Yes 2024 World Bank
same way as a man?
Assets
Do men and women have equal administrative power and Yes 2024 World Bank
ownership rights to immovable property, including land?
Do sons and daughters have equal rights to inherit assets No 2024 World Bank
from their parents?
Do male and female surviving spouses have equal rights to No 2024 World Bank
inherit assets?
Does the law provide for the valuation of nonmonetary No 2024 World Bank
contributions?
Policy (supportive frameworks)
Safety
Has the government developed comprehensive No 2024 World Bank
mechanisms to address violence against women?
Are there special procedures for cases of sexual No 2024 World Bank
harassment?
Is there a government entity responsible for the monitoring Yes 2024 World Bank
and implementation of national services, plans and
programmes addressing violence against women?
Mobility 2024 World Bank
Are the application processes for official identity Yes 2024 World Bank
documents the same for women and men?
Workplace
Has the government published guidelines on non- No 2024 World Bank
discrimination based on gender in recruitment?
Is there a specialized body that receives complaints about No 2024 World Bank
gender discrimination in employment?
Marriage
Are there specialized family courts? Yes 2024 World Bank
Is legal aid available for family law disputes? No 2024 World Bank
Entrepreneurship
Is there a current national government plan or strategy with Yes 2024 World Bank
a focus on women’s access to financial services?
Assets
Are there awareness measures in place to improve No 2024 World Bank
women's access to information about marital and
inheritance rights?

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 Practices (expert opinions) Expert opinions responses (scale on the top
range from 0% to 100%)19
Safety
In practice, are women free from GBV? 50% believe that, in practice, women are free
from GBV
Mobility
In practice, do women enjoy the same freedom of Opinions are divided on whether women enjoy
movement as men? the same freedom of movement as men, with
the largest groups of experts (33.3%) indicating
that some women do
Workplace
There is a consensus that about half of all
women enjoy the same opportunities to enter
and remain in the workplace as men.
Marriage
In practice, do women and men enjoy equal rights during There is a division of opinion on whether
marriage? women and men enjoy equal rights during
marriage and when getting a divorce, with 33.3
% of experts responding that some women do.
In practice, do women and men enjoy equal rights when There is a similar division of opinion (33.3%) on
getting a divorce? whether women and men enjoy equal rights
during marriage and when getting a divorce.
Childcare
In practice, do women have access to affordable and quality There is no clear consensus on whether
childcare services? women have access to affordable and quality
childcare services (33.3.% responding to each
category ‘Some women’, ‘Most women”, and
‘Almost all women”.
Entrepreneurship
In practice, do women enjoy the same opportunities to start About half of the experts (50%) believe women
and run a business as men? enjoy the same opportunities to start and run
a business as men.
Assets
In practice, do women and men enjoy equal rights to Most experts (66.7%) believe that women and
immovable property? men enjoy equal rights to immovable property.

Community awareness, attitude, and practices around Gender, GBV and SEA
Almost one in three Palestinian women reported violence by their husbands in 2018-201920 and concerns over
the safety of civilians, including women and girls, in the context of ongoing hostilities and the severe
humanitarian situation in Gaza persist.21 The prevalence of harmful gender norms and practices reinforces and
perpetuates gender inequality with exacerbation of violence, inequalities, and discrimination against women
and girls in the OPT, particularly in Gaza, where the disruption of schooling and collapse of healthcare and

19World Bank, Women, Business and the Law, West Bank and Gaza;
https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2024/pilot/WBL24-2-0-West-bank-and-gaza.pdf
20UN Women Palestine 2021 Gender Alert Analysis.
https://palestine.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Field%20Office%20Palestine/Attachments/Publications/2021/11/D6-
Gender%20Alert%20Analysis-111121_compressed.pdf ;
21See also https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2023/10/un-women-statement-on-the-situation-in-israel-and-the-
occupied-palestinian-territory

11
housing have impacted the well-being and future prospects of girls. These conditions drivers of early/forced
marriage, neglect, and violence, which can have profound effects on future generations of women and
children.22

PART II: SOCIO- ECONOMIC CONTEXT

Economic Factors
Before the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, the West Bank and Gaza Strip were already grappling with
significant social and economic challenges deeply rooted in the prolonged conflict and the complex political
landscape of the region. Evidence demonstrates that dire economic conditions and economic disadvantage are
major contributors to increasing safeguarding risks for children and adults, particularly in relation to sexual
violence, including exploitation, abuse, and harassment. As of November 2023, according to the UNDP, it had
been estimated that “the number of Palestinians living in poverty has risen by 300,000” 23. According to the ILO,
immediately after the beginning of the Israeli offensive in October 2023, around 390,000 jobs were lost in both
the Gaza Strip and the West Bank24. This deterioration of economic conditions has been ongoing prior to the
eruption of the massive invasion and carpet bombing of the Gaza Strip in October 2023 25. It has been noted,
before October 2023, that “Israel has denied Palestinians access to their natural resources, including shared
water resources and an estimated 1.5 billion barrels of oil reserves in the West Bank as well as more than $2.5
billion worth of natural gas off the Gaza coast”, which has resulted in stripping the Palestinian economy of vital
elements for its healthy operation, whose productive base continues to shrink, thereby exacerbating dire living
conditions26”. These pre-existing economic conditions have undermined any preparedness measures and/or
actions to ensure the resilience of the economy for similar situations. In May 2023, the World Bank issued a
report noting that “growth remains sensitive to the escalation of tensions in the Palestinian territories and the
ongoing restrictions on mobility, access and trade 27 ”. The following sub-sections explore the economic
conditions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank separately and demonstrate how these conditions are creating
safeguarding and SEA risks for the Palestinian people.

The Gaza Strip

Gaza Economic Conditions
Whereas economic conditions have deteriorated across the Palestinian Territories, the October 2023 Israeli
offensive has caused complete devastation of the formal economy in the Gaza Strip. 28 Before the mass
destruction the Gaza Strip witnessed, unemployment rates in the Strip were 46.4%, one of the highest rates in

22 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/women/wg/WGDAWG-Statement-Gaza-2023.pdf
23UNDP 2023 Gaza War: Expected Socioeconomic Impacts on the State of Palestine, Preliminary Estimations until 5 November 2023.
E/ESCWA/UNDP/2023/Policy brief.1.
24ILO, November 2023 Bulletin, Impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on the labour market and livelihoods in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory.
25UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. October 2022. Israel’s Practices against Palestinian Economy Exacerbating Dire Living
Conditions in Occupied Territory, Syrian Golan, Senior Official Tells Second Committee. GA/EF/3574. SEVENTY-SEVENTH SESSION, 19T
26UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. October 2022. Israel’s Practices against Palestinian Economy Exacerbating Dire Living
Conditions in Occupied Territory, Syrian Golan, Senior Official Tells Second Committee. GA/EF/3574. SEVENTY-SEVENTH SESSION, 19T
27 World Bank. 2023. The Palestinian Economy Remains Vulnerable Amid Socio-Political Instability. PRESS RELEASE MAY 2, 2023.
28ILO, November 2023 Bulletin, Impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on the labour market and livelihoods in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory.

12
the world 29 and three and a half times higher than the West Bank. 30 In November 2023, the World Bank
estimated that 85% of workers in the Strip had lost their work since the October 2023 escalation and that 54%
of businesses had been compromised.31

Massive Economic Downturn

The Palestinian economy experienced one of the most significant shocks in recent history, with GDP in Gaza
plummeting by more than 80% in the fourth quarter of 2023. This economic collapse has almost entirely halted
economic activity in Gaza, leading to widespread poverty and making nearly every resident of Gaza live in
poverty, at least in the short term.32

Increased Poverty and Vulnerability

The conflict has exacerbated multidimensional poverty, which covers income, access to education, and basic
infrastructure, among others, with poverty levels reaching slightly higher than the peak of COVID-related
economic restrictions.33

Widespread Internal Displacement

About 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza, approximately 75% of the total population, have been internally
displaced, in some cases multiple times. This displacement, coupled with the destruction of homes and
infrastructure, has left over 1.2 million individuals without homes, further exacerbating the risks of exploitation
and abuse.34 Most of the displaced population are women and children that try to move with relatives. UNRWA
is sheltering half of the IDPs in 154 schools occupied nearly four times their capacity. Churches, schools, public
building, tents around these areas and hosting families are the makeshift shelter for a population under threat
of a new forced evacuation. An estimate of 62% of building in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed. In light of a
ceasefire, IDPs will not have a home to return, thus remaining in formal or informal shelters unfit for living.

Deterioration of Non-Monetary Welfare Conditions

Multidimensional poverty measures have rapidly deteriorated. This includes disruptions to children’s access to
education and colossal challenges in obtaining essential health and other basic services. Every person in Gaza
faces acute food insecurity, with at least one in four experiencing catastrophic hunger, increasing the risk of
famine.35 36

Fiscal Crisis and Reduced Public Services

The Palestinian Authority has been forced to reduce public salaries and essential services, further jeopardizing
the social contract and increasing the population's vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. 37

29ILO, November 2023 Bulletin, Impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on the labour market and livelihoods in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory.
30UNDP 2023 Gaza War: Expected Socioeconomic Impacts on the State of Palestine, Preliminary Estimations until 5 November 2023.
E/ESCWA/UNDP/2023/Policy brief.1.
31 The World Bank December 2023 Update. Impacts of the Conflict in the Middle East on the Palestinian Economy.
32https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/db985000fa4b7237616dbca501d674dc-0280012024/original/PalestinianEconomicNote-Feb2024-
Final.pdf
33 https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/7600aee6c75eff4cf9b71ea1fe4016db-0280012023/original/NoteWBG-dec11-CLEAN.pdf
34https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/db985000fa4b7237616dbca501d674dc-0280012024/original/PalestinianEconomicNote-Feb2024-
Final.pdf
35
https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/note-impacts-conflict-middle-east-palestinian-economy-february-2024
36 GazaStrip: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for 15 February - 15 March 2024 and Projection for 16 March - 15 July 2024 | IPC - Integrated
Food Security Phase Classification (ipcinfo.org)
37 https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/note-impacts-conflict-middle-east-palestinian-economy-february-2024

13
Increased Restrictions and Loss of Employment
The conflict has led to heightened restrictions on movement and temporary reductions in public salaries in the
West Bank, affecting consumption levels and deepening the economic impact. The cancellation of work permits
for over 170,000 Palestinian workers has heavily impacted demand in the West Bank, contributing to an
estimated 22% contraction in the West Bank’s GDP during the fourth quarter of 2023. 38

These economic impacts have not only devastated the Palestinian economy but have also significantly increased
the risks of exploitation and abuse among the population, particularly among the most vulnerable groups such
as internally displaced persons, children, and those living in extreme poverty. The combination of widespread
poverty, internal displacement, and the deterioration of welfare conditions creates an environment where
exploitation and abuse can flourish, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. 39 40 41

Findings Relating to Aid Distribution, Food Security, Shelter & WASH

The findings from this assessment offer a revealing glimpse into the current state and aid distribution’s
multifaceted challenges and risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, with key insights regarding food distribution,
shelter conditions, and WASH services. The finding also identifies several common trends across these sectors,
highlighting the complexities of ensuring safety, fairness, and efficiency in aid distribution efforts.

Since February the main channel to report SEA has received 23 safeguarding reports and 21 SEA allegations
denouncing verbal and physical abuse, aid diversion, discrimination, favouritism and nepotism. Similar reports
are also coming through oPt Confidential email. Communities expressed anger and frustration underlying an
unbearable conflictive relationship with aid workers and aid institutions. On one hand, acute dependency, and
fear of abandonment, on the other wiling to reclaim their rights, threat to retaliate and willingness to talk to the
media depict the erosion of communities to be treated and served with dignity. Safeguarding claims were also
part of the spot checks made during the first visit of the PSEA Coordinator to Gaza in March 2024. In two
occasions, tension with the community and family disputes in the waiting queue for flour prevented the
completion of the visits.

Aid Distribution
Responses/observations provide a comprehensive overview of the conditions and operational aspects of aid
distribution sites across various locations, primarily focusing on Rafah (16 sites) and Khan Younes (26 sites), and
a few sites in Gaza City (4 sites), Central Region (2 sites), North Gaza (2 sites). The data is collected through
questionnaires by entities involved in the aid distribution process.
Most of the responses (11 out of 12) received for the food security and distribution assessment tool were from
Rafah, which received “over one million of the 1.9 million” IDPs.42 The responses reflect scarcity, inconsistency
in food distribution, and irregularity in food distribution. Qualitative data from the tools showed that even those
who received aid felt that the process was not dignified. This data (see Figures 6 and 7) indicates that food
scarcity is alarming even in places with high numbers of displaced people. UNRWA has also warned that
quantities arriving at the Strip do not meet the needs of the population43.

38https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/db985000fa4b7237616dbca501d674dc-0280012024/original/PalestinianEconomicNote-Feb2024-
Final.pdf
39 https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/7600aee6c75eff4cf9b71ea1fe4016db-0280012023/original/NoteWBG-dec11-CLEAN.pdf
40 https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/note-impacts-conflict-middle-east-palestinian-economy-february-2024
41https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/db985000fa4b7237616dbca501d674dc-0280012024/original/PalestinianEconomicNote-Feb2024-
Final.pdf
42 Anera. 12 January 2024. Palestine Situation Report (January 12, 2024)
43
UNRAW. 29 December 2023. THE GAZA STRIP: UNRWA CALLS FOR UNIMPEDED AND SAFE ACCESS TO DELIVER MUCH NEEDED
HUMANITARIAN AID

14
 FOOD SECURITY: QUANTITIES ARE
ENOUGH FOR BENEFICIARIES
Sometimes Yes No

25%
42%

33%

F IGURE 1. F OOD QUANTITIES

Observations and responses reveal a mixed picture of the aid distribution process, with several sites reporting
that aid distribution occurs in open, safe, and easily accessible locations. However, there are notable concerns
regarding safety and accessibility, mainly due to the large number of displaced people, making some sites not
easily accessible. Distribution often begins and ends during daylight, although there are instances where
distribution occurs at night, raising safety concerns.
Risks associated with aid distribution include the presence of unofficial humanitarian workers without
identification, mixed distribution lines for men and women leading to potential safety risks for vulnerable
groups, and reports of shooting to resolve disputes at some sites. Additionally, respondents/observation
responses mention the presence of long and time-consuming distribution lines, which can degrade human
dignity and exacerbate tensions among aid recipients.
Findings demonstrate a mix of separate and mixed distribution lines for men and women, with some sites having
only male or female supervisors. The presence of male and female humanitarian workers at some sites suggests
an effort to address gender-specific needs. However, the organization of distribution lines indicates areas for
improvement in ensuring fairness and orderliness. Additionally, the presence of unofficial humanitarian workers
without identification and reports of shootings to resolve disputes at some sites highlights significant risks to
both the fairness of aid distribution and the safety of those involved.
The assessment reveals a complex picture of aid distribution efforts, with notable achievements in providing aid
to various community groups and maintaining open and accessible distribution sites. However, significant
challenges remain in ensuring the distribution process's safety, fairness, and efficiency, particularly in terms of
accessibility for vulnerable groups, information availability, and the organization of distribution lines. Addressing
these challenges is crucial for improving the effectiveness and impact of aid distribution efforts.

Food Distribution
During the period, assessment observations were conducted in December 2023. Food distribution was taking
place at various sites in Rafah, such as neighbourhoods of AlQuds Open University – and tents in front of it, Saudi
alWuds University – and tents towards the university, Deir elBah, Deir alBalah, Khirbet Adas, and shelter
affiliated with CSOs or charitable organisations.
Perceived lack of orderly distribution. The distribution varies across sites. Food distribution was perceived to be
fair and orderly in some locations, with male and female supervisors present. However, there were sites not

15
covered by the distribution and/or without supervisors present at some sites. Waiting times in food distribution
lines range from 30 minutes to more than an hour.
Different types of assistance were provided across different sites. These include food vouchers and food parcels
(sugar, rice, wheat flour, fresh vegetables, ready-to-eat)

FOOD SECURITY: FOOD IS BEING

DISTRIBUTED REGULARLY AND
CONSISTENTLY
Sometimes No Yes

0%
17%

83%

F IGURE 2. F OOD DISTRIBUTION

Limited information about food distribution: There is a mix of availability regarding information on food aid
distribution, with some sites providing clear information about the content and timing of food aid distribution,
information indicating that the aid is free, and means and methods for complaints.
Abusive Behaviour and 'Unofficial Humanitarian Workers': Respondents reported There are instances of
abusive behaviour, including violence, threats, and harassment at some sites, and the presence of 'unofficial
humanitarian workers' providing assistance without identification or uniforms.
Dire economic conditions often increase safeguarding risks and make the whole population prone to
exploitation. The emergence of a black market in particular places the population under extreme circumstances,
with prices increasing on average by 12% for some products 44, including basic food items. The prolonged dire
economic conditions caused by Israeli hostilities in the Gaza Strip were considered by the Integrated Food
Security Phase Classification (IPC) the major cause for the entire population to become highly prone to food
insecurity and at risk of famine45. According to the Protection Cluster’s 18 January 2024 Operational Update on
the Gaza Strip, “there are severe restrictions on the entry of essential relief and commercial supplies… materials
essential for survival are scarce, humanitarian relief is unpredictable and inadequate, and the desperation
amongst the community is further leading to complications including security concerns for distribution46”.

Shelter
The assessment examined the conditions of several shelters in Rafah and Khan Younes. Observations were
conducted at several Rafah and Khan Younes locations, including agency schools, civil sites, and camps. The
shelters visited accommodated elders, children, individuals with special needs, and unaccompanied minors.
Shelter infrastructure varied; some had lights and signs, while others did not. Male and female supervisors were

44
The World Bank December 2023 Update. Impacts of the Conflict in the Middle East on the Palestinian Economy.
45IPC, December 2023, Gaza Strip: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for 24 November - 7 December 2023 and Projection for 8 December
2023 - 7 February 2024.
46 PROTECTION CLUSTER - GAZA OPERATIONAL UPDATE 18 JANUARY 2024

16
present, although not all of them. Contractors such as construction workers and plumbers were spotted in some
shelters.
Overcrowding. Many shelters are described as very crowded, with reports of up to 6 families in a room or 40
people in an apartment. One shelter is noted to have 35 to 40 thousand people. For instance, one shelter dweller
describes the situation as "Very crowded, up to 6 families in a room". Overcrowding can lead to increased stress
and tension among shelter residents, which may exacerbate conflicts and abusive behaviour. It also poses a
challenge to maintaining hygiene and could potentially lead to the spread of diseases.
Abusive Behaviour. Abusive behaviours were reported and observed in some shelters, and they included
violence, threats, or harassment. As Abu, a respondent from Rafah, noted: ‘Bad behaviour of security personnel"
is a concern. Another occupant reported that: ‘Many problems occur,’ which could imply instances of abusive
behaviour. These comments suggest a need for better management and training of security personnel to ensure
the safety and well-being of the shelter residents.
Lack of Information on Site. Several respondents have indicated a lack of available information. For example, a
youth organization noted, ‘There is none of this information on the site,’ which could refer to information about
aid distribution, mental health services, or medical services. The absence of clear information can lead to
confusion and frustration among the shelter residents, contributing to chaos and lack of order.
Limited Health and Psychosocial Services. Primary mental health/psychosocial support services and recreational
activities for children are limited, with some shelters offering none.
Safety and Accessibility challenges. Some shelters are equipped to accommodate people with limited mobility,
but not all.
Sanitation and Health. The corridors and pathways in some shelters have good lighting, but not all of them.
There are unofficial humanitarian workers on site providing assistance without identification or uniforms in
some cases.
Fairness and Order. Interconnected issues on safety, accessibility and overcrowding can cause heightened stress
and conflict, which may result in abusive behaviour. The lack of information can further exacerbate the residents'
sense of insecurity and helplessness and raise the likelihood of exploitation. There is a need to improve
conditions in these accommodation centres. The response would include, among other things, more training for
security personnel, initiatives to alleviate overcrowding, improved privacy and enhanced communication and
information sharing within the shelters.

WASH
The assessments identified risks associated with WASH, particularly issues related to accessibility, safety, and
management of water and sanitation services.
Accessibility, Safety and Security issues. WASH sites are not always easily accessible from shelter areas, schools,
and medical facilities, with some responses describing access as ‘bad’ or ‘very difficult’. This poses a significant
risk to the community, making it harder for individuals, especially those with special needs, older people, and
children, to access essential water and sanitation services.
Inadequate lighting and hygiene. Lighting was limited to one hour each day in some regions. This increases the
danger of accidents and makes these regions risky, especially at night. The lack of locks on the inside of restrooms
and showers can jeopardise users' privacy and safety, leaving them vulnerable to abuse. There were also reports
of poor hygiene in water collection areas. Without clear information on SEA, message prevention demonstrates
a communication and support gap for the community's health and well-being.
Infrastructure and Management Deficiencies. Responses suggest significant deficiencies in the management
and supervision of WASH sites, with some sites described as not having any workers but displaced volunteers.
Inadequate Provision for Vulnerable Groups.

17
Sites lack measures in place to ensure the needs of various vulnerable groups are met, such as older people,
children with special needs, and children without guardians.
Environmental and Sanitation Concerns. Crowded conditions, difficulty entering bathrooms, and waiting times
of up to three hours were reported.

Crisis Scope & Intensity

By 22 March 2024, it is estimated that there are 31,988 Palestinian fatalities, 74,188 reported injuries, and 1.7.
million internally displaced persons (75% of Gaza population), with ‘1.1 million people projected to face a
catastrophic level of food insecurity (IPC Phase 5)’. 47 Since 7 October 2023, Gaza has seen an increase in aerial
bombardments, ground invasions, restrictions on freedom of movement, mass detentions, torture, threats,
intimidation, sexual and physical violence, in addition to other forms of abuse, such as harassment, censorship,
and silencing48. The conflict's intensity increases SEA risks and is considered SEA risks in its own right.

Crisis Scope & Intensity

Indicator (Gaza) Value Year Source
People Affected
People Affected (absolute) 1.7 million 2024 OCHA
People Affected (relative to the people in 75% 2024 OCHA
the affected area
Crisis Severity
Conditions of People Affected 1.1 million projected to face 2024 IPC
catastrophic levels of food insecurity
(IPC Phase 5)

Destruction of Infrastructure and Housing

Approximately 50% of the Gaza Strip had been affected by the conflict as of January 7, 2024, with over 69,000
structures directly impacted. This includes 22,000 destroyed, 14,000 severely damaged, and 33,000 moderately
damaged buildings. The northern areas of the Gaza Strip, including North Gaza and Gaza City, experienced
significant damage, with around 68% of buildings in North Gaza damaged to varying degrees. The conflict's
expansion southwards has resulted in considerable damage in southern areas such as Khan Younis, Deir Al-Balah,
and Rafah. Estimates suggest that 35% of buildings in Khan Younis and 20% in Deir Al-Balah have sustained
various levels of damage, with around 10% of buildings in Rafah affected. The total number of structures across
the Gaza Strip is nearly 180,000, with the report estimating that more than 60% of buildings, approximately
110,000 structures mainly residential, are now likely damaged and uninhabitable across the entire area. As a
result, approximately 1.2 million people will likely be without adequate safe housing and urgently need
emergency shelter and housing recovery assistance. 49 The demolitions of housing have increased people’s
vulnerability to exploitation and abuse of all kinds, including sexual. With the loss of housing and increased
homelessness, the lack of safe spaces and privacy increases SEA risks and makes the population prone to SEA.

47
OCH,A, Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel – reported impact. Day 167. https://www.ochaopt.org/content/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-
israel-reported-impact-day-167
48 OHCHR. 27 December 2023. The Human Rights Situation in the Occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem: Flash Report.
49Remote sensing structural damage assessment to determine probable shelter needs in the Gaza Strip, March 2024.
https://sheltercluster.org/palestine/documents/remote-sensing-structural-damage-assessment-determine-probable-shelter-needs

18
Overcrowding emergency shelters and makeshift shelters
Shelters, including those provided by UNRWA schools, have not been spared from Israeli aerial bombardments.
The high demand for shelters, compounded by their targeting, presents substantial safeguarding risks for all
affected Gazans, particularly for women, children, and other marginalized groups such as individuals with
disabilities and older people. The enormous demand for shelters, exacerbated by the targeting of shelters,
constitutes major safeguarding risks to all affected Gazans, and even more so for women, children and other
marginalised groups, including people with disability and older people. The observation tool on shelters also
echoed risks related to shelters and during the assessment conducted using 28 completed observation tools—
50% from Khan Younis, 36% from Rafah, 7% from Deir Al-Balah, 4% from North Gaza, and 4% from Gaza City—
revealed that shelters were in poor condition, overcrowded, unsafe, and unclean. These shelters house various
social and vulnerable groups (see Figure 2).

When respondents were asked about shelter overcrowding, 82% confirmed over-crowdedness, while only one
stated that the shelter assessed was not overcrowded (See Figure 4).

SHELTERS ARE OVER CROWDED

No
Kind of 4%
14%

Yes
82%

F IGURE 3. OVER -CROWDEDNESS IN S HELTERS

This over-crowdedness compromises peoples’ overall physical and emotional well-being and increases
vulnerability to SEA.

19
 THE SHELTER INCLUDES PEOPLE BELONGING
TO THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL GROUPS
Elderly Children Disability Unaccompanied Children

11%

32%

26%

31%

Difficult access to shelters for individuals with physical disabilities

16 out of 28 responses indicated that the shelters were not equipped to accommodate these needs. 82% of
respondents confirmed the issue concerning overcrowding, with only one stating that the assessed shelter was
not overcrowded.

When asked whether shelters are equipped to host people with a physical disability, 16 out of 28 responses
stated that they are not (see Figure 3).

SHELTERS ARE EQUIPPED TO HOST PEOPLE

WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITY
No Kind of Yes

21%

57%
22%

F IGURE 4. SHELTERS AND ACCESSIBILITY TO D ISABLED PERSONS

Lack of electricity
The military action caused a considerable reduction in economic activity and household welfare due to the lack
of electricity, as indicated by satellite photos and statistics on night-time illumination. The decrease in night light

20
levels predicted a notable collapse in economic activity and household spending. 50 The shelters' circumstances
have been made worse by the absence of electricity, which has been intensified by Israel's choice to disconnect
the power supply to the Strip during the attack. Lack of electricity raises security threats and immediately affects
the safety of shelter areas, especially for women. 39% of respondents mentioned sporadic lighting, 29% stated
there was lighting, and 32% said there was no lighting in the shelters. (See figure 5).

THERE IS LIGHTING IN THE SHELTER

29%
39%

32%

Sometimes No Yes

F IGURE 5. L IGHTING IN S HELTERS

In facilities with electricity, the observation's qualitative data clearly indicates that energy is generated through
generators and solar panels when there is lighting.

Food and water shortages

The population faces life-threatening food and water shortages, with half of the population struggling with
catastrophic hunger. Famine is imminent in northern parts of Gaza.

Medical services and safety

Displaced people face critical food, water, housing, and medical supply shortages. Unclean environments
facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. Law and order are almost nonexistent and educational and health
facilities are in ruins. Because of the population's precarious situation, they are easy targets for abuse and
exploitation in Gaza. Medical services and the health sector in Gaza have been hit hard by the fuel and electricity
shortages as well as the intentional attacks on hospitals. According to the World Health Organisation, only 15 of
36 hospitals were fully operational as of January 15, 2024. As a result, many injured people had to wait on
overcrowded hospital floors to obtain treatment.

School targeting
The severe impact of 17 years of blockade and recurrent conflict on Gaza's education infrastructure led to
damaged facilities, disrupted education provision, and adverse effects on the psychosocial well-being of children
and teachers. Financial barriers to education, with many children dropping out due to the inability to afford
school-related expenses. The infrastructure challenges include overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of
schools, further exacerbated by the conflict. 51

50UNCTAD Preliminary Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Destruction in Gaza, and Prospects for Economic Recovery, UNCTAD
Rapid Assessment, January 2024. https://unctad.org/publication/preliminary-assessment-economic-impact-destruction-gaza-and-prospects-
economic-recovery
51Education Cluster Response Plan, January 2024. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/gaza-education-cluster-
response-plan-january-2024

21
The Israeli offensive has also severely affected children, targeting schools and forcing the closure of the formal
education sector. The Education Cluster in the Palestinian Territories estimated that 69% of school buildings
were damaged, over 625,000 students lost access to education, and 89% of school buildings are either being
used as shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs) or have sustained damage. UNICEF has highlighted that
in conflict zones, children and youth with low levels of education are at an increased risk of exploitation.
Furthermore, it has been documented that individuals of all ages in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to
detention under extreme conditions.52

Collective Trauma
The overall political and legal conditions are causing collective traumas among the population of the Gaza Strip.
Compromised mental health and psychosocial well-being may exacerbate SEA risks in humanitarian response.
With populations feeling desperate for the very little assistance provided, vulnerabilities increase.

Political factors significantly contribute to the exacerbation of safeguarding risks. The deteriorating living
conditions and the gradual inhabitability of the Strip are creating collective traumas among the Gazan
population, impacting their physical, mental health, and psychological well-being. The control of Gaza’s only
internationally recognized border crossing, the Rafah Border Crossing, by Israel and Egypt allows for the
regulation of the type and amount of aid and goods entering the Strip. This politically motivated restriction on
the population's access to basic supplies, including medical supplies, food, fuel, and water, will have far-reaching
and devastating effects on the entire population.53

Summary of SEA and Safeguarding Risks

The analysis above demonstrated that the current socio-economic situation produces hazards that exacerbates
safeguarding and SEA risks associated with humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip. Four main risks arise as
solid assumptions:

Lack of Basic needs: Scarcity of basic needs to meet essential living conditions increases competition for
resources, thus deepening power dynamics where the most vulnerable will be highly exposed to abuse and
exploitation (including sexual but not only) to access primary goods for survival.
Hunger: The declaration of famine re-dimensions access to humanitarian and charity food supply as the solely
live saving mechanism for the most vulnerable.
Absence formal economies: Emergence of black markets further weakens institutional capacities to address
equal access to affected communities and minimum protection assurances, including channels to report
wrongdoing and seek safety.
Changes in the vulnerability framework: Pre-existing categories of vulnerability prevail with important nuances:
children supporting women head of household, women without guardianship, women in lower ranks of the
kindship structures, families without extended families, unaccompanied children, injured individuals, people
with disabilities, and old people without extended family populate a new vulnerability framework.

52 Education Cluster (UNICEF and Save the Children). 7 December 2023. Education under attack in the Gaza Strip, as of 5 December 2023.
53 WHO. 15 January 2024. Preventing famine and deadly disease outbreak in Gaza requires faster, safer aid access and more supply routes.

22
The West Bank
Socio-political factors
Settler violence in the West Bank has also been ongoing for decades. However, the scale of violence escalated
with the October 2023 offensive on the Gaza Strip. Different cities and areas in the West Bank, although
administratively governed by the Palestinian Authorities (PA), have come under routine Israeli invasion of homes
and lands by both soldiers and settlers. The expansion of settlements on internationally recognised Palestinian
lands and forced evictions have been ongoing since the 1993 Oslo Agreement.54 In addition to that, the West
Bank is politically, economically, and militarily controlled by Israel, with checkpoints separating different
Palestinian areas and cities from each other. Over the past four months, settler violence escalated in the West
Bank, with further restrictions on freedom of movement through increasing the number of checkpoints and
unpredictable closures.

Consultations with CSOs in the West Bank expressed that the situation has worsened since the October 2023
escalation, with restrictions on freedom of movement and transportation disruptions that have heavily
influenced their day-to-day lives and work. In addition to that, many expressed fears of leaving their homes,
fearing for their lives, because of settler violence by soldiers and/or settlers 55. Many areas in the West Bank are
surrounded by settlements, where settlers are armed and regularly attack Palestinians. The threat of
displacement and actual displacement have been a worry for West Bankers, as “nearly 2,000 Palestinians
displaced amid Israeli settler violence since 2022; 43% since 7 October 2023”56. West Bankers struggle with a
complete absence of political leadership and representation.

Following the October 2023 escalations, incursions occurred in several West Bank cities, and Jenin came under
aerial bombardment. Since October 2023, Israel has detained 6,200 Palestinians from the West Bank and East
Jerusalem, which included women and children, and has killed 314 Palestinians, among them 80 children, as of
4 January 202457. This requires particular attention, as consultations with the CSOs demonstrated that most of
them do not know their rights and/or what to do in case Israeli forces detain them. Others also emphasised
needing first aid and Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) training.

The current situation and the gradual escalation in the West Bank are alarming, and there are areas of
preparedness needed to mitigate the risks that could result from political factors. Safeguarding risks in the West
Bank will likely be exacerbated if the situation continues and peoples’ lives are constantly disrupted. The political
situation and context may contribute to increasing safeguarding risks as living conditions deteriorate, violence
increases, and large populations are forcibly displaced.

West Bank Preparedness Needs

Political and legal factors in the West Bank, which may produce and exacerbate safeguarding and SEA risks, are
producing preparedness needs in the West Bank, which must be considered before the situation escalates
further. The major risk that can be identified in the West Bank is the escalation of violence, displacement,
bombardment, etc. and for the West Bank to become subject to violence that amounts to that in the Gaza Strip.
For this reason, preparedness to ensure potential risks are mitigated is essential. Preparedness needs emerging
from political and legal factors can be summarised as follows:

Anticipated Shelter Needs: With the escalation of events in the West Bank and the potential for more violence,
shelters might become needed if the humanitarian situation deteriorates. For this reason, and to mitigate SEA

54 Amnesty International. 2022. ISRAEL AND OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES.

55 United Nations. 2 November 2023. Rise in intimidation, settler violence in the West Bank, warns OCHA.
56 OCHA. 1 November 2023. The other mass displacement: settlers advance on West Bank herders.
57 OCHA. 4 January 2024. Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #84.

23
risks, it is imperative to ensure that available shelters in the West Bank are equipped with physical preventative
measures and can provide psychosocial support.

Security Awareness Needs: Increased security awareness and hostile environment sensitisation can be
lifesaving and a mitigation measure for SEA risks, as they reduce the chances of compromising physical health
and mental well-being.

Legal Protection Mechanisms and Awareness Needs: As detention is one of the main legal and political hazards
that could potentially produce safeguarding and SEA risks, establishing legal protection mechanisms and
increasing awareness of existing mechanisms is essential.

Social Factors

The Gaza Strip

In the context of the recurrent conflict and the escalation of hostilities since October 2023, the social structure
in OPT has been severely disrupted. With the onset of the war, customary and patriarchal roles replace other
forms of governance that have now collapsed which has increased reliance on family and community structures
for support. Absence of rule of law and law enforcement result in lineage based and community mediation for
solving the increase tensions and, as literature shows, these often further enshrined discriminatory practices.
During this review, e.g., several instance where customary mediation has reversed court orders on custody of
children have been recorded. Secondly the female and children exodus, first form the north to the south of the
Gaza Strip and then outside the strip also may entail a hypermasculinization of the conflict affecting particularly
those most vulnerable women and children that do not possess the means to leave.

Gender Dynamics
The societal norms and expectations for men and boys emphasize their role as providers, which is challenged by
limited economic opportunities. This situation leads to increased levels of frustration and a higher risk of
violence, including gender-based violence (GBV). As in previous conflicts in OPT, Women and girls face societal
pressure to fulfil conservative and traditional roles, limiting their participation in economic and social life. The
conflict has also had an impact on economic challenges on women's participation in the labour market and the
prevalence of gender-based violence.58 Before the current conflict, women did not have equal access to jobs in
the same way as men.59

There is a particular limited and/or lack of women humanitarian workers in Gaza, which also reflects gender
imbalance in the provision of aid and support. This gender-balance workforce that is rooted in unequal power
dynamics affects women and children, who face greater risks of SEA in an emergency due to their often
marginalised status and the power imbalance that exists.60 61 Customary patriarchal practices in this context are
exacerbated with an impact in conflict resolution mechanism that discriminate women and rule over pre-exiting
court agreements – this can be noticed in payments of alimony and custody of children- and an

58 ACAPS Thematic Report: Palestine - Social impacts of the humanitarian situation, 19 October 2021. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-
palestinian-territory/acaps-thematic-report-palestine-social-impacts-humanitarian
59
World Bank, Women, business and the Law; West Bank and Gaza, 2024.
https://wbl.worldbank.org/content/dam/documents/wbl/2024/pilot/WBL24-2-0-West-bank-and-gaza.pdf
60 https://www.unicef.org/protection/protecting-children-from-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse
61 https://emergency.unhcr.org/protection/protection-principles/protection-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-psea

24
Community Safety and Social Support
Strong social support systems essential for providing a protective environment and for the recovery of survivors
have been heavily affected,62 increasing risk to vulnerable groups in communities. The Palestinian society in the
Gaza Strip is heavily relying on collective and community forms of care, aid, and support despite losing trust in
institutions. This reliance provides an opportunity to mitigate and safeguard risks. The population is
heterogeneous, with native Gazans, internally displaced people, and refugees, which presents unique social
challenges and opportunities for community engagement. In the current emergency settings, the breakdown of
usual protective institutions such as family, community, government, and law enforcement structures can lead
to increased risks of SEA.

Cultural and Organizational Norms

The diversity within the Gaza Strip is characterised by a complex interplay of cultural backgrounds that influence
social and economic interactions. The majority of the population in the Gaza Strip is Sunni Muslim, with Islam
playing a significant role in shaping social norms, practices, and the political landscape. Religious beliefs and
practices are deeply embedded in the culture, influencing various aspects of life, including education, law, and
community relations. The presence of a small Christian minority also contributes to the cultural fabric of the
region.63 The region's history of conflict, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has had a significant impact
on the social and economic conditions, leading to high levels of unemployment, poverty, and dependence on
humanitarian aid. Organizational cultures, including hierarchical structures that promote traditional masculinity
or risk-taking, are likely to dismiss incidents of sexual violence and exploitation.64

Social factors such as community structures, cultural norms, economic conditions, gender dynamics, and the
availability of assistance and reporting procedures have significantly impacted the risks of SEA and the
effectiveness of protective measures in emergencies and crises like the Gaza Strip. It is critical to address these
factors in order to prevent SEA and protect the well-being and respect of vulnerable populations.65 66 67 68 69 The
SEA risk assessment findings highlight the Gaza Strip's relies on community aid due to the governance vacuum
and the acute economic constraints. The varied society faces unique challenges, needing a focus on gender
dynamics, raising awareness, and providing information to support the reduction of safeguarding and SEA risks.

Increased negative coping mechanisms

The socio-economic challenges in Gaza, where 46% of the population lives below the poverty line and 62% of
households face severe or moderate food insecurity, 70 have led to increased negative coping mechanisms
among vulnerable groups, especially children. This has resulted in higher school dropout rates, child labour, and

62 https://emergency.unhcr.org/protection/protection-principles/protection-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-psea
63 https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/palestinian-culture/palestinian-culture-core-concepts
64
https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/sites/default/files/migrated/2017-
10/rta_addressing_sexual_violence_in_humanitarian_organisations_-
_good_practices_for_improved_prevention_measures_policies_and_procedures.pdf
65 https://www.unicef.org/protection/protecting-children-from-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse
66 https://emergency.unhcr.org/protection/protection-principles/protection-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-psea
67https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/sites/default/files/migrated/2017-
10/rta_addressing_sexual_violence_in_humanitarian_organisations_-
_good_practices_for_improved_prevention_measures_policies_and_procedures.pdf
68 https://apps.who.int/gb/COVID-19/pdf_files/2021/14_10/Item1.pdf
69
https://odihpn.org/publication/doing-the-right-thing-protection-from-exploitation-and-abuse-in-humanitarian-action/
70 https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-unicef-risk-famine-gaza-strip; https://www.who.int/news/item/19-02-2024-children-s-
lives-threatened-by-rising-malnutrition-in-the-gaza-strip; https://www.unicef.ch/en/current/news/2024-01-08/intensifying-conflict-
malnutrition-and-disease-gaza-strip-creates-deadly

25
child marriage. These conditions particularly impact children with disabilities due to a lack of necessary assistive
devices, adapted learning materials, specialized support, adequate transportation, and adapted school facilities.
Approximately 270,000 children in Gaza experience various degrees of learning difficulties, and in 2022, about
27% of children with disabilities aged 6-17 were not enrolled in education. Those who are enrolled face a high
risk of dropping out. The ongoing conflict and recent escalations are expected to increase the number of children
with disabilities significantly.71

High risks of child labour and child marriage

The main factors contributing to the high risk of child labour and child marriage in Gaza are deeply intertwined
with the region's socio-economic conditions, cultural norms, and the ongoing conflict. Families facing financial
difficulties often see child labour as necessary to supplement household income. Approximately 7.3% of children
between the ages of 5 and 17 are engaged in child work.

Similarly, child marriage has sometimes been viewed as a way to reduce the economic burden on a family by
transferring the responsibility of a daughter to her husband. 72 73 Especially females with disabilities are more
likely to marry young as a coping technique over time. Girls with disabilities face a variety of complicating factors
related to patriarchal cultural norms and financial constraints. These situations promote detrimental activities,
such as child marriage. Child marriage is also another example of gender-based violence that occurs within the
home. Child marriage predominantly affects girls. Approximately 8% of girls aged 15 to 19 were married, with
the Gaza Strip having a higher incidence (9.1%) than the West Bank (7.1%). 2.4% of girls aged 15 to 17 were
married. Nonrefugee females have a child marriage rate of 9.0%, whereas girls with little or limited education
have a rate of 10.9%. 74 Girls with disabilities face increasing pressure to marry at a young age to ensure their
safety and financial stability. In 2022, the HNO reported that more than half of Palestinian parents considered it
more difficult for a girl with a disability to marry and were willing to have their daughter marry before the age
of eighteen.75

• Cultural and social norms, such as traditional beliefs and customs in Gaza and the broader Palestinian
territories, sometimes prioritize early marriage for girls and view boys as economic contributors from
a young age. These cultural practices can perpetuate the cycles of child labour and child marriage. 76
• Lack of access to education: The current periods of heightened insecurity concerns and attacks on
school facilities have heavily undermined the education of school children. The obstacle to obtaining
high-quality education, exacerbated by the conflict and economic blockade, has increased dropout
rates and restricted children's future prospects. This lack of educational opportunities leads families to
consider child labour and early marriage as a viable alternative.77

71 Gaza Education Cluster Response Plan, January 2024. https://educationcluster.app.box.com/s/fj9rwnhy9aoehuzuuu7hi2gdmc0mjp4f

72 https://www.unicef.org/stories/poverty-drives-child-labour-gaza
73
https://www.ochaopt.org/content/child-labour-increasing-gaza
74Unicef, Situation Analysis of Children’s Rights and Wellbeing in the State of Palestine, July 2023.
https://www.unicef.org/sop/media/2471/file/Situation%20Analysis%20of%20Children's%20Rights%20and%20Wellbeing%20in%20the%20U
NICEF%20State%20of%20Palestine.pdf
75 ACAPS Thematic report - Palestine: Impact of the conflict on people with disabilities in the Gaza Strip (14 February 2024 .
https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/acaps-thematic-report-palestine-impact-conflict-people-disabilities-gaza-strip-
14-february-2024
76 https://borgenproject.org/child-marriage-in-palestine/

77 https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---arabstates/---ro-beirut/documents/publication/wcms_236940.pdf

26
 • Food insecurity: A substantial portion of households in Gaza have been experiencing severe levels of
food insecurity.78 This situation exacerbates the vulnerability of children, pushing them into the labour
market or early marriages as families struggle to secure their daily needs.79
• Gender discrimination: with prevalent gender-based discrimination and violence, girls are particularly
vulnerable to early marriage as a form of protection or due to societal pressures. This discrimination
also affects boys, who may be pushed into labour markets at a young age to fulfil traditional roles as
providers.80

Since 2022, Palestine has faced significant challenges related to early marriage and child labour, with varying
degrees of progress and setbacks in addressing these issues. These issues are deeply intertwined with the
broader socio-economic and security challenges facing Palestine, including displacement, overcrowding in
camps, financial and physical insecurity, and the impacts of ongoing conflict. Efforts to address early marriage
and child labour are complicated by these factors, as well as by prevailing social norms and the need for
comprehensive legal and policy reforms.

Findings relating to social factors

Key informant interviews with people from the Gaza Strip explained that IDPs are living under very difficult
conditions, with over-crowdedness and lack of privacy and cleanliness. These conditions are creating tensions
and difficulties, and in some cases, miscommunications and misunderstandings, between the IDPs, who come
from very different cultural backgrounds. Observation tools confirmed that in shelters, different families are
sharing the same rooms, due to the large number of IDPs and the huge demand for shelters. These factors point
towards safeguarding risks, as demonstrated in the observation tools. The severe lack of humanitarian assistance
creates safeguarding risks, potentially leading to community conflicts and abusive practices. Some observers
from the tools confirmed that they had noticed abusive practices during the observation (see Figure 8).
Qualitative data from the tools also showed that conflicts arise between families, and conflicts and problems
arise from the behaviour of humanitarian workers supervising aid distribution.

78
IPC, December 2023, Gaza Strip: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for 24 November - 7 December 2023 and Projection for 8 December
2023 - 7 February 2024.
79 https://www.ochaopt.org/content/child-labour-increasing-gaza
80 https://arabstates.unfpa.org/en/topics/child-marriage-5

27
 I NOTICED ABUSIVE PRACTICES,
SUCH AS VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION,
AND/OR HARASSMENT ON SITE
25

20

15

10

0
Distribution WASH FOOD Shelters

Yes No Sometimes

F IGURE 6. A BUSIVE PRACTICES ON SITE

Data from the observation tools, consultations, and key informant interviews revealed that communities and
individual volunteers are responding to each other’s needs and are relying on each other. Despite the absence
of formal conflict resolution and complaints response mechanisms, these initiatives are currently filling that gap.
Concerning information being available about complaints and conflict response mechanisms on observation
sites, most observers confirmed the lack of information (see Figure 9).

THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT

COMPLAINTS AND CONFLICT
RESPONSE MECHANISMS ON SITE
50
40
30
20
10
0
Distribution WASH FOOD Shelters

Yes No

F IGURE 7. C OMPLAINTS AND C ONFLICT RESPONSE

In addition, the tools demonstrated that there are not enough humanitarian workers on the sites observed
through this assessment (see Figure 10) and that there is a particular lack of women humanitarian workers. It is

28
important to highlight that humanitarian workers in the Strip were also targeted through Israeli bombardment.
For example, UNRWA alone lost 130 its personnel in the Strip since the October 2023 escalations 81.

THERE ARE HUMANITARIAN

WORKERS AVAILABLE ON SITE
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Distribution WASH FOOD Shelters

Men Only Women Only Men and Women No

F IGURE 8. HUMANITARIAN W ORKERS BY GENDER

Data showed that despite the lack of humanitarian workers, people from the community are volunteering to fill
this gap. For example, the observation tools demonstrated that people are volunteering to cover different needs
and work, such as cooking, cleaning, repairs, organising queues, serving food, and even entertaining children
with activities. For example, the observation tool demonstrated that in 39% of the shelters observed, there were
activities for children's entertainment (see Figure 11).

THERE ARE ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES

FOR CHILDREN AT THE SHELTER
Sometimes
25%

Yes
39%

No
36%

F IGURE 9. CHILDREN 'S ACTIVITIES IN SHELTERS

81UNRWA. 3 December 2023. UNRWA SITUATION REPORT #45 ON THE SITUATION IN THE GAZA STRIP AND THE WEST BANK, INCLUDING
EAST JERUSALEM.

29
Data revealed some possible safeguarding risks, which could emerge due to social factors and the severe lack of
humanitarian assistance. For example, observers were asked to verify whether certain types of information
related to aid were available at the observation site. For example, most observers across all tools confirmed that
no information explains that aid is free on-site (see Figure 12). When asked whether there were clear messages
against abusive practices on sites, the majority also said that such messages were not there (see Figure 13).

THERE IS INFORMATION ON SITE

THAT EXPLAINS THAT AID IS FREE
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Distribution WASH FOOD Shelters

Yes No

F IGURE 10. I NFORMATION THAT AID IS FREE

THERE ARE CLEAR MESSAGES

AGAINST ABUSIVE PRACTICES
50

40

30

20

10

0
Distribution WASH FOOD Shelters

Yes No

F IGURE 11. C LEAR MESSAGES AGAINST A BUSE

In addition to these indicators of safeguarding risks, and as the majority of experts confirm, the prolonged
conflict and extreme humanitarian crisis “heralds breakdown of society 82 ”. Mass destruction and the total
disruption of Gazans' lives leave many with post-traumatic stress disorders, especially children, who are left with

82 UN News. 8 December 2023. Gaza humanitarian disaster heralds 'breakdown' of society.

30
no access to much psychosocial support8384. Gazan children have gone through multiple traumas through intense
periods of fighting. The need for psychosocial support will soar with the intensity of the October 2023
escalations. Data from the observation tool showed that at the shelters observed, only 25% had psychosocial
support services available. In comparison, 29% said sometimes, and 46% said no psychosocial support services
were available (see Figure 14).

THERE ARE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THE SHELTER
Yes No Sometimes

Yes
Sometimes 25%
29%

No
46%

F IGURE 12. PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT IN SHELTERS

Under such conditions, and with these traumatising events, another safeguarding risk that can be identified is
related to the emotional well-being of humanitarian workers and personnel in the Strip, who might experience
burnout, mental health fatigue, context-induced anxiety, excess workload, and other stresses and pressures,
which might affect their conduct, behaviour, and ability to deal with difficult situations.

Data and the reality on the ground demonstrate that the war is producing safeguarding risks at the social level
in the Gaza Strip. That particular attention needs to be paid to gaps in the humanitarian response.

Summary of SEA and Safeguarding Risks

The analysis above demonstrated that some social factors produce hazards that may exacerbate safeguarding
and SEA risks associated with humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip. The SEA risks we were able to identify in
relation to social factors can be summarised as assumptions as follows:

Absence of alternative mechanism to patriarchal rule

Hypermasculinization of the conflict

Overcrowding in shelters, WASH facilities and distribution lines, has a deep impact in the social cohesion.
Families with different social backgrounds and descending from different family lineage are forced to co-habit
together. Individuals with lesser protection from a pack are exposed to higher SEA risks in humanitarian

83 UN News. 27 November 2023. First Person: Trauma, stress and sadness take root in Gaza.
84 CARE. 16 November 2023. Gaza: “Emotional scars will last a lifetime”.

31
response. Compromised privacy, physical safety and security of people and adds mental and psychosocial
pressures on the population

Loss of Family and Social Support Systems: Force displacement, military check points, isolation from relatives,
lack of means of transport, and lack of privacy have completely broken traditional support networks of families,
Those who lose their support networks become more vulnerable and potentially subject to SEA.

Weakened conflict resolution mechanism: formal safety and security institutions like the police is absence with
a clear rupture in the rule of law. Informal and customary mechanism are still present but focused on addressing
multiple family disputes. With regard to access to humanitarian aid and protection of vulnerable groups, the
mediation of informal actors may not be sufficient to reverse power dynamics where stronger families prevail.
Mental Health and Collective Trauma: bereavement, lack of hope, severe trauma, depression among other
mental health conditions are an underlying factor of accepting situations of abuse and exploitation.

The West Bank

Social factors, including poverty, education, healthcare, and unemployment, are deeply intertwined with the
ongoing conflict, restrictions on movement, and other political and economic challenges, creating a multifaced
crisis that affects the lives of millions of Palestinians living in the West Bank.

Poverty
Poverty is a significant issue exacerbated by the conflict and economic stagnation. The blockade and restrictions
on movement have severely limited access to markets, resources, and employment opportunities, pushing many
families into poverty. The situation is particularly dire in areas affected by violence and military operations,
where households struggle to meet their basic needs.85 Child labour rates are higher in East Jerusalem at 12.8%,
North Gaza at 11.7%, and Ariha and Al-Aghwar (Jericho) at 11.1%. Child labour impacts a higher percentage of
boys than girls, with 9.6% of boys affected compared to 4.8% of girls. Approximately 10% of youngsters not
enrolled in schools are engaged in child work. Wealth significantly influences child labour, as 22.8% of 15-17-
year-olds from lower-income families work (less than 43 hours), in contrast to 16.4% of those from the most
affluent families. 5.1% of youngsters are involved in hazardous work tasks, such as dust, fumes, gases, extreme
cold, or heat exposure. 24.7% of out-of-school youngsters are engaged in hazardous labour.86

Education
The education system in the West Bank faces numerous challenges due to the conflict, including attacks on
schools, harassment of students and teachers, and the use of educational facilities for military purposes. These
issues disrupt the learning environment and make access to education difficult for many children. The situation
is further complicated by the destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of families, which affects
students' ability to attend school and receive a quality education. 87

8585https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/westbankandgaza/overview; See also

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/09/12/West-Bank-and-Gaza-Selected-Issues-539154
86
Unicef, Situation Analysis of Children’s Rights and Wellbeing in the State of Palestine, July 2023.
https://www.unicef.org/sop/media/2471/file/Situation%20Analysis%20of%20Children's%20Rights%20and%20Wellbeing%20in%20the%20U
NICEF%20State%20of%20Palestine.pdf
87 https://www.educationcluster.net/country/occupied-palestinian-territory

32
Healthcare
Healthcare in the West Bank is severely impacted by the conflict, with attacks on healthcare facilities, restrictions
on movement that limit access to medical services, and shortages of medical supplies and personnel. These
challenges are compounded by the displacement of populations and the destruction of infrastructure, leading
to a healthcare system that struggles to meet the needs of the population. The situation is particularly critical
for those with chronic conditions, injuries from the conflict, or in need of emergency medical care. In the West
Bank, 286 attacks on health care disrupted care delivery, including the supply of essential medicines and
equipment, blocked hospitals and prevented ambulance access. During the same period, 64 attacks in Israel
were verified by the WHO Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care, resulting in 24 fatalities and 34
injuries. A total of 16 health facilities were impacted. 88

Unemployment rate
Unemployment rates in the West Bank are high, driven by conflict, restrictions on movement, and blockades,
which hinder economic activity and job creation. The loss of jobs and income sources strains vulnerable
households, contributing to poverty and limiting access to essential services. The situation is particularly
challenging for young people and those living in areas heavily affected by the conflict. 89

Social cohesion concerns

Since the escalation of violence in October 2023, societies in the West Bank have been under significant
pressure, with varying degrees of impact.90 People in the West Bank are increasingly concerned for their safety,
fearing settler violence, forced migration, demolitions, and detentions. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have
expressed concerns that violence could escalate further. A critical issue highlighted is the diminishing trust in
humanitarian and human rights institutions, partly due to the perceived failure of these systems to adequately
respond to the situation in Gaza. This perception is exacerbated by some international organizations suspending
funding to Palestinian CSOs amidst the violence. 91 The actions of Israeli settlers and military violence are viewed
by many Palestinians as being overlooked by these institutions, undermining decades of human rights advocacy
work.92 These developments suggest potential risks to social cohesion if violence continues. Despite the West
Bank not facing as severe a humanitarian situation as Gaza, there is a need for preparedness measures against
possible escalations.

West Bank Preparedness Needs

Social factors in the West Bank need particular attention, and some preparedness measures to ensure the
mitigation that could emerge from social factors are essential at this stage. The major social risk that can be
identified in the West Bank is the impact of the escalation on social dynamics within communities. Compromised
social networks, social cohesion, and individuals' and communities' emotional and mental well-being may
exacerbate SEA and safeguarding risks. Preparedness needs emerging from social factors can be summarised as
follows:

Community Messaging: It is important to enhance community messaging around SEA in the West Bank, using a
localised language accepted by communities. Community messaging must also include information about
protection and available complaints response mechanisms. This is an important pre-emptive measure to further
escalations.

88 https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB154/B154_51-en.pdf
89 https://www.ilo.org/beirut/media-centre/news/WCMS_907149/lang--en/index.htm . See also
https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/09/12/West-Bank-and-Gaza-Selected-Issues-539154
90 https://acleddata.com/2023/12/14/the-resurgence-of-armed-groups-in-the-west-bank-and-their-connections-to-gaza/
91 See also, https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/22/while-fire-rages-gaza-west-bank-smolders
92 https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/west-bank-snapshot-14-december-2023.

33
Social Cohesion Work and Community Care Work: As humanitarian crises tear communities apart and thus
create further vulnerabilities and disrupt social support networks, work around social cohesion can be an
important preparedness measure in the West Bank at this stage. Supporting community care work is also
essential as it maintains and improves social dynamics and relationships, thus decreasing safeguarding risks.

Psychosocial Support: Psychological, emotional, and mental pressure increase the population’s vulnerabilities
and thus create safeguarding and SEA risks. Making psychosocial support available for populations is important
to mitigate the risks that may emerge due to traumas and mental health.

Technological Factors
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have become part of the life of almost every human being
across the globe. Denying access to the internet has been condemned by the UN as a human rights violation
several times93. With around 90% of Palestinian households having home internet access 94, people have become
reliant on ICTs to communicate and manage many aspects of their day-to-day life, including work. In addition to
that, connectedness to ICTs is essential for survival. Safeguarding cases and broader protection issues, such as
bombardment, cannot be reported without connectivity. The Palestinian infrastructure for ICTs has been
described as underdeveloped95.

These restrictions are part and parcel of a larger silencing strategy, as Israel has attempted to curtail people’s
freedom of expression via the internet by passing laws that violate the rights to privacy and through which
Palestinians can be charged with ‘incitement’ for social media posts 96 in the West Bank. Detentions over social
media posts increased following the October 2023 escalation in the West Bank. This systematic silencing is also
practised through the targeting of journalists97 to control the narrative that comes out of the territories and to
limit and curtail Palestinians' access to information as well. This lack of access to information and
communications technologies was found to constitute more of a safeguarding risk for people in the Gaza Strip,
as they were denied complete access to ICTs.

The Gaza Strip

Since the October 2023 escalations, ICT infrastructure in the Gaza Strip was consistently and systematically
targeted, at times disconnecting Gazans completely from the outside world. This disruption of everyday lives
and access to lifesaving ICTs may lead to safeguarding risks. The blackouts create several safeguarding and
protection risks to people in the Strip in different ways. First, limiting people’s access to information pushes
people to seek unreliable information from others and through word of mouth, as evidenced by a study by
Ground Truth Solutions and the Arab World for Research and Development 98. The same study demonstrated
that “very few people know how to access institutional (formal) aid, as conditions for targeting, distribution and

93 OHCHR. 23 June 2022. Internet shutdowns: UN report details ‘dramatic’ impact on people’s lives and human rights.
94International Trade Administration. 12 December 2023. West Bank and Gaza - Country Commercial Guide: Information and
Communication Technology (ICT).
95 ESCWA. 2019. Arab Digital Development Report 2019: Towards Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness.
96Global Freedom of Expression. 14 November 2019. “Hashtag Palestine 2018”: Digital Rights of Palestinians Between Restrictive
Legislations and the Complicity of Internet Companies.
97 Carnegie Endowment. 28 November 2023. Israel’s War on Journalists.
98Ground Truth Solutions and Arab World for Research and Development. January 2024. Community priorities and perceptions of aid and
support in Gaza.

34
information-sharing are bordering on impossible 99 ”. Primary data from the observation tool confirm these
findings, as across the tools used for all sectors covered by the assessment, the majority of observers confirmed
that there is no clear information available about the timings and the content of aid distribution (see Figure 15).

CLEAR INFORMATION ON THE

CONTENT AND TIMINGS OF AID
DISTRIBUTION IS AVAILABLE
50
40
30
20
10
0
Distribution WASH FOOD Shelters

Yes No

F IGURE 13. I NFORMATION ON AID D ISTRIBUTION

We also found that information about psychosocial support services is scarcer than information about the
availability of medical care (see Figures 16 and 17).

THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT

AVAILABILITY OF MEDICAL CARE
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Distribution WASH Shelters

Yes No

F IGURE 14. I NFORMATION ABOUT MEDICAL CARE

99Ground Truth Solutions and Arab World for Research and Development. January 2024. Community priorities and perceptions of aid and
support in Gaza.

35
 THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT
AVAILABILITY OF PSYCHOSOCIAL
SUPPORT SERVICES
40

30

20

10

0
Distribution WASH Shelters

Yes No

F IGURE 15. I NFORMATION ABOUT PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

This lack of information exacerbates safeguarding risks for Gazans, as it makes them more vulnerable and thus
more likely to become victims of exploitation. In addition, means of communication are essential for reporting
violations and abuses and asking for support services. They are also essential for connecting families. There were
documented cases where family members could not reach each other, which placed them in vulnerable
situations. The lack of means of communication also makes it difficult for civil defence and medical teams to
locate and reach sites where people became victims of bombardments and/or weaponry attacks. When people
are unable to call civil defence and ambulances to locations where they are needed, they become more
vulnerable and thus more at risk of SEA.

Technological factors play a significant role in safeguarding risks and opportunities in the Gaza Strip. As the Israeli
occupation forces are invested in reducing the amount of information coming out about the war in the Gaza
Strip, their targeting of Palestinian journalists and ICTs (Information and Communications Technologies)
infrastructure are creating safeguarding risks for the people. Despite these efforts, ICTs also provide
opportunities for the people of the Gaza Strip to tell and document their stories.

Summary of Safeguarding Risks

The analysis above demonstrated the lack of connectivity broadly compromises people's safety and well-being
in the Gaza Strip under such circumstances. The SEA risks associated with the humanitarian response in the Gaza
Strip can be framed as an assumption as follows:

Lack of Information: The lack of information on aid, including medical care, shelters, food security,
miscellaneous distribution, and psychosocial support, increases vulnerability and thus exacerbates SEA and
safeguarding risks associated with the humanitarian response to the Strip.
Deprivation of ICTs as Tools for Survival: As ICTs can be used as tools for survival, deprivation from accessing
ICTs exacerbates SEA risks. For example, in cases where families and communities cannot identify each other’s
locations or people cannot call ambulances and/or civil defence services, vulnerability increases and thus, SEA
risks increase.

36
The West Bank
For the West Bank, in relation to ICTs, it is important to highlight that preparedness in terms of developing the
infrastructure for the use of satellite internet in case the situation further escalates is essential. Consultations
with CSOs highlighted several technological preparedness needs and concerns, among them in case of escalation
and in case they become subject to invasions or other attacks by Israeli settlers and/or forces. The consultations
also confirmed that some CSOs were stormed by Israeli forces, which destroyed their offices and working spaces
and stole their documents. Under these circumstances, CSOs in the West Bank need training and capacity
building to equip them with skills related to data protection, archiving of data online, and cyber security. CSOs
also confirmed during the consultations that they do not have enough information on what to do in case of
detention and violence by Israeli settlers and/or soldiers.

West Bank Preparedness Needs

As ICTs are essential for survival in crises, preparedness measures to mitigate potential SEA risks arising in case
the West Bank becomes deprived of access to ICTs are very important. This is important as compromised access
to ICTs needed for survival increases vulnerability. Preparedness needs emerging from technological factors can
be summarised as follows:

Provision of Alternative ICTs: Equipping communities and organisations with alternative ICTs, such as satellite
internet and e-sims, can be a lifesaving preparedness measure in the West Bank.

37
Environmental Factors
The natural environment, directly and indirectly, affects people’s lives and plays a major role in exacerbating
and/or reducing safeguarding risks. The natural environment is also heavily affected by political and economic
conditions. At the same time, political and economic interests are often driven by perpetrators’ desire to control,
access and benefit from natural resources. Understanding how environmental factors play a role in safeguarding
requires an exploration of how the escalation of Israel’s violence in the Palestinian Territories has impacted the
natural environment and how the natural environment is playing a role in shaping political and economic
conditions. Israel’s expansionist interests in the Palestinian Territories cannot be understood without
understanding its interest in natural resources.

Other than control over the resources, Israel’s military and political practices also affect the natural environment
in the Palestinian Territories. In one of its reports, the UN Institute for Disarmament Research considered the
natural environment a key indicator in documenting the harm of explosive weapons 100. The “destruction of
environment during conflicts not only affects public health directly in the immediate aftermath – through air
and water pollution – but also affects long term recovery due to destruction of livelihood depending on
environmental resources101”. Over the past four months, the Palestinian Territories, including the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip, have witnessed an increase in the use of explosive weapons by the state of Israel and in the
intentional destruction of the natural environment and natural resources- all of which have implications on
safeguarding.

The Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip has not only been affected at the environmental level due to the use of explosive weapons but
also due to Israel’s decision to completely “shut off the pipes that supply Gaza with water102” following 7 October
2023, violating the fundamental human right to water and sanitation103. Water is important for many aspects of
human life. Lack of water influences socio-economic conditions, increases poverty levels, heightens the risk of
diseases and infections, increases mortality rates, compromises hygiene and sanitation, and affects food quality
and production 104 . As the UN Environment Programme states, “freshwater ecosystems underpin all human
social and economic activity. They are vital for supporting the web of life on Earth. That's why we need to value,
conserve, and restore them105”. As of 8 November 2023, around 97% of Gaza’s water was considered unfit for
human consumption 106 . This crisis, as Oxfam notes, “comes on top of a long-standing struggle for water in
Gaza107”, with the following repercussions on Gazans under the ongoing escalations:
- Risk of exposure to waterborne diseases such as cholera,
- Significant public health hazards, as wastewater is being discharged into the sea and sewage and solid
waste are piling up on the streets,
- Risks to personal hygiene, thus raising the risk of diseases, particularly among children under five,

100
UNDIR. 2020. REFERENCE FRAMEWORK: MENU OF INDICATORS TO MEASURE THE REVERBERATING EFFECTS ON CIVILIANS FROM THE
USE OF EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS IN POPULATED AREAS.
101 UN Environment Programme. 5 November 2021. Environmental legacy of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas.
102 Human Rights Watch. 16 November 2023. Israeli Authorities’ Cutting of Water Leading to Public Health Crisis in Gaza.
103 UN. NA. Media Brief: The Human Right to Water and Sanitation.
104 UN. NA. Global Issues: Water.
105 UNEP. 2024. Fresh Water.
106 Anera. 8 November 2023. Gaza’s Water Crisis Puts Thousands at Risk of Preventable Death.
107 Oxfam. 10 November 2023. THE UNFOLDING WATER CATASTROPHE IN GAZA.

38
 - Particular risks to women and girls, such as menstrual management, risks to pregnant women and
breastfeeding mothers,
- Risks to hospitals and medical facilities, as lack of water compromises sanitation,
- Environmental damage to the sea is caused by sewage being discharged into the sea.

For the WASH sector activities observation tool, we received 17 responses, and all of them confirmed that
conditions in relation to water, waste, hygiene, and sanitation are appalling. For example, observers said, “There
is no available water”, “toilets are very dirty”, “the space is very dirty”, “toilets are overcrowded, and waste is
running in corridors”, and “there is no water or waste management to cover IDPs needs”. In addition,
accessibility to WASH facilities was highlighted as a problem, particularly for older people and women and girls.
Sites were also described as “lacking measures to meet children’s needs”. Through qualitative responses, the
observation demonstrated several safeguarding risks in and around WASH facilities. Quantitative data also
support this finding. For example, 82% of observers stated that sites are overcrowded. In comparison, 18%
described them as kind of, 59% of observers confirmed that toilets and latrines cannot be locked from the inside,
71% confirmed that sites are not easy to access, and 82% confirmed that there is no lighting on sites (see figures
18, 19, 20, and 21). These responses demonstrate that some on-site problems, such as compromised privacy,
inaccessibility, and overcrowding, can exacerbate safeguarding risks and will need particular attention on WASH
sites.

THE SITE CAN BE DESCRIBED AS

OVERCROWDED
Yes Kind of

18%

82%

F IGURE 16. OVER CROWDEDNESS ON THE WASH S ITE

39
 THERE IS LIGHTING ON SITE
Yes No Sometimes

12% 6%

82%

F IGURE 17. L IGHTING ON WASH S ITE

WASH FACILITIES ARE EASY TO ACCESS

Yes No Sometimes

6%
23%

71%

F IGURE 18. ACCESSIBILITY OF WASH FACILITIES

LATRINES AND TOILETS CAN BE

LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE
Yes No

41%
59%

F IGURE 19. LATRINE LOCKS

In addition to the many impacts of water cuts on Gazans' everyday life, water cuts have also impacted agriculture
and agricultural produce. As of 24 December 2023, based on satellite imagery, PCBS estimated that around 18%

40
of agricultural land was damaged due to Israeli aggression. The carpet bombing, artillery, aerial and sea shelling,
and the use of internationally prohibited chemical weapons have all affected all aspects of the natural
environment in the Gaza Strip, including agricultural land and residential areas. The smoke and the tons of
debris, dust, and ashes resulting from the bombardment and demolition of large housing units are causing
pollution to the air and resulting in numerous cases of meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice, chickenpox, and
respiratory diseases108. These conditions increase the need for medical care in an area where only 15 out of 36
are partially functional109. The escalation has caused large-scale massacres, which resulted in injuries which need
medical treatment and dead bodies that need to be buried without enough cemeteries to bury them. The mines
advisory group also warns that the number of explosives dropped over the Gaza Strip will mean that unexploded
ordnance and landmines will take decades to be cleared 110. Environmental hazards exacerbate safeguarding
risks and allow room for exploitation to occur, particularly among a population deprived of survival needs.
Currently, the severe weather conditions are also exacerbating the suffering of millions of displaced Gazans.
With the lack of shelters and housing units, Gazans are sleeping in tents and the playgrounds of shelters and
schools.

Summary of Safeguarding Risks

The analysis above demonstrated the lack of connectivity broadly compromises people's safety and well-being
in the Gaza Strip under such circumstances. The SEA risks associated with the humanitarian response in the Gaza
Strip can be framed as an assumption as follows:

Threat of Endemics and Pandemics: The current situation in the Gaza Strip is producing environmental hazards,
such as endemics and pandemics, which compromise people’s physical and psychological well-being and thus
exacerbate vulnerability associated with safeguarding and SEA.

Extended exposure to lack of livelihood: communities in the Gaza Strip will be forced to endure critical living
conditions for an undetermined duration until rubble is remove and housing and basic infrastructure will be
restored.

Severe restrictions in mobility will impact communities and men, women, young people, and children
differently. Rehabilitation of space may not prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. Fear of danger, lack of
public space for playing or sports,

The West Bank

The fact that Israel is in complete control over the West Bank’s natural resources, movements between different
cities and areas, water, fuel, and electricity places the West Bank in a particularly vulnerable position and makes
it prone to further exploitation and an escalation that could threaten the lives of thousands. In addition to this
vulnerability, regular Israeli violence of confiscating lands, burning and destroying crops, and occasionally
depriving specific areas of water not only leaves an impact on people’s livelihoods but also plays a role in the
natural environment, including agricultural lands111.

108 WHO. 21 December 2023. Lethal combination of hunger and disease to lead to more deaths in Gaza.
109
WHO. 15 January 2024. Regional Director opening remarks at WHO/EMRO press briefing.
110 MAG. 1 December 2023. Clearing Gaza of deadly bombs could take decades.
111
Irus Braverman. 2021. Environmental Justice, Settler Colonialism and more-than-humans in the occupied West Bank: An Introduction.
Nature and Space: Vol. 4(1) 3-27.

41
Since the October 2023 escalations, Israel’s violence has increased in the West Bank as armed settlers increased
their attacks against vulnerable Palestinian communities, including the Bedouins and herders. For example,
according to OCHA, between January and September 2023, 1,105 herders in the West Bank were pushed out of
their communities through coercive or forceful means. OCHA figures also show that 274 home demolitions,
displacing 711 people112. These displacements leave an impact on Palestinian lands and the environment, as
often those forcibly displaced are agricultural communities. With the October 2023 escalations, Israeli settlers
and military violence have also disrupted olive harvesting113. This disruption has impacted both the livelihoods
of farmers and harvesters, and it has compromised the health of olive trees. In the West Bank, the disruption of
the natural environment, albeit routine Israeli violence, has intensified in its gravity over the past four months.
Some areas in the West Bank also came under demolitions, destruction of infrastructure, including sewage and
waste management processes, and aerial bombardment- all of which may produce environmental hazards that
could potentially affect the physical, mental, and psychological well-being of affected Palestinians. Although
these do not amount to direct safeguarding risks, the situation could suddenly shift, and the West Bank may
witness an escalation in destruction and devastation. When asked about environmental risks, some CSOs
referred to risks related to the nature of their areas, such as being surrounded by settlements, not being well
connected to other areas in terms of streets, roads, and transportation, and even not having well-paved roads
and infrastructure.

West Bank Preparedness Needs

Some hazards associated with the natural environment may indirectly produce safeguarding risks as populations
become vulnerable. As it is difficult to predict these environmental changes, it is important for environmental
preparedness to focus on manoeuvring the risks identified in the Gaza Strip. Preparedness needs emerging from
technological factors can be summarised as follows:

WASH Facilities: As a mitigation measure that pre-empts the emergence of a SEA risk, it is important to prepare
for rapid installation of WASH facilities in crises. This preparedness may mitigate risks of overcrowding and
hygiene and sanitation in crises.

Equipping Medical Care Providers: As a pre-emptive preparedness response, medical care providers in the West
Bank must be equipped to deal with emergencies and crises similar to those in the Gaza Strip.

Aid and Development Workers’ Attitudes and Behaviours (Gaza & the WB)
Aid workers attitudes greatly differ among different categories and conditions of work. The vast majority of aid
workers currently in the Gaza strip are Palestinians, particularly from UNRWA who prior to the war counted with
a work force of 13,000 employees yet most of them are currently not reporting to work. Government officials
recently declared to be able to mobilize a workforce of 300,000 civil servants but this workforce is currently not
active. UN Agencies and International NGOs are negotiating on daily basis their footprint, mainly due to the
security situation and with an R&R of four weeks. When possible, INGOs and UN agencies have secured
guesthouses for their staff nationals and internationals who follow a curfew at 5pm.

For international staff the main associated risks are associated with recruitment procedures with weak
background checks.

112
Jerusalem Centre for Human Rights. December 2023. Fact Sheet: “ALARMING AND URGENT”: THE ESCALATION OF SETTLER VIOLENCE
AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT IN THE WEST BANK.
113 Anera. 2 November 2023. Olives Won’t Be Pressed This Year.

42
For national staff represents the immense majority of the aid workers presence in the Gaza Strip and they suffer
the exactly same conditions as the community they serve. There is an important percentage of national aid
workers trained on PSEA and the interagency system is well known and well consolidated. Yet it must be
revamped. Communities and aid staff will largely support protection of communities against sexual exploitation
and abuse, and the often relay on customary mechanisms to deal with allegations. Reporting SEA is still
stigmatized but there is a renewed concern to protect communities from further harm. Safeguarding claims,
nonetheless, shows the pick of the iceberg of misconduct of aid workers and poses risk for the communities, aid
staff and aid institutions alike.

Identified risks are:

- Humanitarian aid diverted causing further harm to the community and increasing tensions
- Potential retaliation against aid workers (physical harm)
- Lost of trust in aid institutions calling for further acts of incivility: deterioration of the operational
environment
- Media attention to safeguarding incidents which can also have an uncontrolled political manipulation

An important gap in national actors is contractors and suppliers. Compulsory training for contractors is not
consolidated and implementation of training in the current situation is difficult.

PART III: OPERATIONAL CONTEXT

Humanitarian actors in Gaza are operating within an exceptionally challenging and complex environment
marked by intense conflict, severe access restrictions, and a dire humanitarian crisis. The blockade, coupled with
recent hostilities, has devastated infrastructure, leading to shortages of electricity, food, water, and fuel and
restricting the entry of aid. Over 2.2 million people are in urgent need amidst this backdrop of destruction and
displacement. Efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance are hampered by cumbersome procedures for aid
entry, ongoing hostilities, and a lack of safe access, making the humanitarian operation one of the most difficult
in the world.114 115

Needs Scale & Complexity

Needs Scale & Complexity Value Year Source

OCHA Flash
Operational Size 3.3. Million 2024
Appeal
OCHA Flash
Funding Requirement 2.8Billion 2024
Appeal116

HRP Funding Requirement $600 million 2023 OCHA117

114 https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-israel-flash-update-92-enarhe
115 https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-access-snapshot-gaza-strip-end-february-2024
116
Flash Appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territory 2024 | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - occupied
Palestinian territory (ochaopt.org).
117https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1156?bs=eyJibG9jay1iOGIxODYzMC01YjVmLTRjN2MtYWE4ZC0zNzAzNDk2ZTY0NDIiOnsidGFyZ2V0Ij

oxfX0%3D

43
 HRP People Targeted 3.1 million 2023 OCHA

Operational Complexity Yes Year Source

Humanitarian Access Limited 2024 OCHA118

Impediment to entry into the country (bureaucracy and

Yes 2024 OCHA
administrative)

Restriction of movement (impediments to freedom of 2024

Yes OCHA
movement and/or administrative restrictions)

Interference in the implementation of humanitarian

Yes 2024 OCHA
activities

Violence against personnel, facilities and assets Yes 2024 OCHA

Denial of the existence of humanitarian needs or

Yes 2024 OCHA
entitlement to assistance

Restriction and obstruction of access to services and

Yes 2024 OCHA
assistance

Ongoing insecurity/hostilities affecting humanitarian

Yes 2024 OCHA
assistance

Presence of mines and improvised explosive devices Yes 2024 OCHA

Physical constraints in the environment (obstacles

Yes 2024 OCHA
related to terrain, climate, lack of infrastructure, etc.)

Response Institutions
Before the current crisis, the PSEA network made notable advancements, establishing itself as a key resource
for 96 organizations working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse. A structured team, including a PSEA
Coordinator and a National Coordinator, was set up under the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator, fostering
strategic partnerships and enhancing access to safe reporting channels and survivor assistance. The network's

118 https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-access-snapshot-gaza-strip-end-february-2024

44
strategic helpline was crucial in offering a victim-centred approach and improving the referral of high-risk cases.
Efforts were also made to build a community of practice through peer-to-peer training, addressing technical
assistance and capacity-building gaps. The network's annual working plan for 2023 was developed in
consultation with members to ensure it meets their needs and fosters ownership. Senior leadership's continued
commitment to organizational change, victim assistance, investigations, and community engagement
underscored PSEA's importance within the humanitarian community.
While the PSEA Network continued to function in OPT and Gaza, pre-existing community outreach became
constrained. Training, consultations and community mobilization have been severely affected. Access and
assistance to survivors is compromised and investigations cannot be carried with enough assurances for
survivors and whistle blowers. Lack of connectivity has also impacted access to the main reporting channel.
The PSEA Network is partially funded, has developed a response plan and is restructure its presence in the Gaza
Stirp to ensure the oversight of PSEA within the framework of survivor’s centred practices.

Senior leadership, Organisational culture and practices & Partnerships

Senior leadership understand and supports PSEA interventions and adhere to an interagency system that is
well staffed and funded. The PSEA Coordinator report regularly to the UNCT and HCT+ and has presence in all
coordination structures. UN Agencies and partners promote SEA risks assessment and support the capacity
building of partners. The annual Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) reporting showed a significant
increase in reporting capacity among network members compared to the previous year, reflecting shared
responsibilities. In 2023, there were 1,085 sites where awareness-raising campaigns and activities on reporting
SEA took place, and more than 600k individuals were engaged in awareness-raising activities and community
mobilization interventions on PSEA in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank coordinated by approximately 40
organizations. Women and children amounted for 60% of the targeted group.

IASC annual reporting on global indicators showed the incremental change in partners towards standardizing
PSEA practices. All UN agencies submitted for the first time their internal AWP for PSEA, clusters’ indicators
clearly identify PSEA accountabilities and a portal on the 5ws has been created to foster PSEA reporting among
partners. Internal processes were stronger, which enabled better reporting. Compared to 2022, the first six
months of 2023 have shown significant progress in addressing SEA across different areas. The increased
involvement of organizations in the network has played a key role in driving this advancement. In 2022, only
25 organizations were actively engaged in monitoring and evaluation, maintaining regular reporting. However,
in the first half of 2023, this number has increased to 37 organizations, with 25% of them having offices solely
in the Gaza Strip. In the latter half of the year 2023, the overall number of reporting organizations remained
nearly unchanged. There was no significant increase in reporting as anticipated, primarily due to the extreme
challenges faced by organizations in the Gaza Strip. The second reporting period occurred in late December
2023, amid ongoing war. While an increase in reporting in the West Bank was maintained, we lost nearly all
reports from Gaza- based organizations. In anticipation of the next reporting period, the PSEA Network is
actively working to mitigate potential disruptions to reporting efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Reporting shows that during the first half of the year, 40 percent of all reporting organizations had robust PSEA
procedures in place, including regular PSEA risk assessments, integration of PSEA activities into their Annual
Working Plans, budget allocations for PSEA, and mitigation strategies. Meanwhile, 60 percent expressed a
need for support in strengthening their PSEA practices. In response, the IASC PSEA Network facilitated access
to specialists for consultation and support. Risk assessment and monitoring of service providers remains a
challenge.

Progress in the West Bank was notable, with the number of reporting organizations conducting regular PSEA
risk assessments doubling. Additionally, the PSEA Network encouraged all member organizations to establish
written agreements with their partners containing clauses on SEA prevention, resulting in an increase from 60
percent to 80 percent compliance. The percentage of organizations allocating budget and including SEA-
related activities in their annual work plans also saw significant growth, from 40 percent to around 70 percent.
Moreover, the proportion of organizations with mitigation strategies at the programmatic level increased from
40 percent to 56 percent. Measuring progress in the Gaza Strip was challenging. Development of assessments
slowed significantly due to emergency activities and the severe impact of the war on member organizations of

45
the PSEA Network. To adapt to the emergency, the IASC PSEA Network prioritized providing a comprehensive
PSEA and safeguarding risk assessment within the framework of the collective humanitarian response in the
Gaza Strip.

Members of the PSEA Network in the State of Palestine include AIDA and PNGO platforms which represent
more than 250 national and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs); and UN Agencies all
working within the occupied Palestinian territories. Since its inception the network has grown significantly,
currently encompassing over 80 organizations signatories of the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and 25
more benefiting from support to acquire the minimum organizational standards on PSEA. In the past month
four new national organizations have joined the network by signing the PSEA Standard Operating Procedures.
Moving forward, the network aims to further strengthen members’ capacity while welcoming new partners,
with a particular focus on developing programmatic initiatives with strategic partners. For the first time, the
needs reflected in the flash appeal also collected the needs of these partners that are willing to tailor specific
programmatic actions for PSEA and safeguarding. 2,5m were the identified needs of the PSEA Network and
members. These joint efforts are geared towards enhancing PSEA practices at the grassroots level and
promote organizational change. These results reflect solid progress toward a well consolidated mechanism
that fosters organizational change and community participation, yet the outset of the war calls for a renewal of
the PSEA commitments according to the needs.

Response Modalities
PSEA Mainstreaming in Clusters and Working Groups
The Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Network in the OPT is the first comprehensive PSEA
system in the MENA region, with 84 humanitarian partners adhering to its Standard Operating Procedures. It
includes all UN Agencies and a portion of PNGO and AIDA members. The network has established an Inter-
Agency Community Complaint Mechanism for reporting, with accountability on individual organizations and UN
agencies. Complaint channels include a helpline, WhatsApp, social media, and email, with operators trained for
confidential handling of cases. The 2023 HRP integrated PSEA activities, requiring project approval based on
PSEA commitment. The network focuses on raising awareness, reporting mechanisms, and protection for the
affected population, aiming for broader NGO membership and UN agency support. Funding for coordination
positions is secured until September 2023, with efforts to ensure future sustainability. 119

In the HRP strategic objectives, all clusters are required to report on the percentage of affected population (sex
and age) reached through consultations on community-based complaint mechanisms, awareness activities, and
community mobilisation interventions for PSEA, including complaint reporting (disaggregated by communication
materials specific to each population group), as well locations receiving PSEA communications materials on
reporting and accessing victim/survivor-centred support, broken down by kind of materials for each population
group).PSEA is also well reflected in April 2024 Flash appeal

Programming modalities
Program delivery modalities
The manner in which aid is delivered can influence SEA risks. For instance, direct implementation involves aid
organizations directly providing services or assistance to affected populations, while indirect implementation
may involve working through local partners or contractors. In the context of Gaza, where there are
unprecedented restrictions on humanitarian presence, remote management becomes a more common
approach due to challenges in physical access. However, this increases risks as oversight may be compromised
and accountabilities are diffused. With limited physical presence and direct supervision, monitoring for SEA
incidents becomes more challenging and the reliance on contractors, who may lack proper PSEA training and
knowledge can pose a significant risk. In this situation it's important to ensure that all personnel involved in
delivering aid, including contractors, receive adequate training on preventing SEA. In addition, monitoring

119 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) OPT, 2023. https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-response-plan-2023.

46
mechanisms should address the access challenges by utilizing local sources of information and involving the
community in reporting and feedback mechanisms.

▪ Level of Decentralization of Operations and Access

The decentralization of operations through the establishment of field offices can be a risk mitigation strategy.
In remote management scenarios, where operations are coordinated from a distance, communication and
information flow may be disrupted and can hinder timely reporting of SEA incidents. These limitations on
physical access and movement restrictions also make it difficult to conduct thorough investigations and
provide immediate support to survivors. In the context of Gaza, establishing field offices in central and
northern regions is not feasible and field offices are now mainly centralized in the southern area.
Mitigation strategies can involve assigning national staff members, particularly those from local NGOs, who
reside in the northern and central areas, to serve as focal points. Currently there are staff of local NGOs and
community-based organizations who reside in hard-to-reach areas and who possess expertise in protection,
having received prior training on PSEA prior to the war. They serve as trusted intermediaries capable of
identifying SEA cases and reporting them confidentially. To enhance their effectiveness, they require support
and involvement in coordination efforts. This entails including them in decision-making processes and ensuring
they have access to necessary resources and information by integrating these focal points into the
coordination structure.

▪ Prevalence of direct interaction with affected populations

Humanitarian and development programs in Gaza often involve direct interaction between aid workers and
affected populations for the provision of essential services and goods. This direct engagement creates
opportunities for exploitation and abuse, particularly in contexts where power dynamics are skewed, and
vulnerabilities are heightened due to the humanitarian crises. In Gaza, where communication and electricity
cuts are common, reporting SEA cases becomes even more challenging, leading to underreporting and delayed
responses. One way to address this risk is to provide proper training or orientation on PSEA to all aid workers
and related personnel, particularly those who directly interact with affected populations. Beside training and
capacity building, conducting joint risk assessments for each operation involving direct beneficiary interaction
can help identify specific risks and implement targeted mitigation measures.
Indirect interactions with affected populations are also common in Gaza especially in the central and northern
areas. Humanitarian assistance in these areas relies on communication via intermediaries like community
leaders or local organizations. In certain situations, indirect interactions may utilize remote communication
methods to offer information or mental health support. However, one of the increasingly risky forms of
indirect interaction observed in central and northern Gaza is the distribution of aid through air drops. Without
direct supervision or oversight, there is an increased risk of acts of exploitation or abuse committed by taking
advantage of chaotic or crowded distribution settings.

PSEA Integration into program/project budgets

More and more organizations are now recognizing the importance of prioritizing resources and allocating
budget specifically for PSEA activities, rather than treating them as secondary concerns. This entails allocating
dedicated staff with the necessary time and expertise to incorporate PSEA measures across all organizational
operations and activities.
Donors have increasingly implemented consistent requirements regarding PSEA, reflecting a broader
commitment to safeguarding and against sexual exploitation and abuse within humanitarian and development
initiatives.

47
Organizations now include PSEA assurances and risk assessments in their project proposals. This serves as an
entry point for collaboration with the PSEA Network and facilitates integration into the interagency system.
While UN agencies operating in the OPT have confirmed budget allocations for PSEA, other members of the
PSEA network, especially some national and community-based organizations, face significant budget
constraints. To address this issue, the PSEA network offers support to local organizations by advocating for
increased PSEA funding and by optimizing budget management through comprehensive annual plans. For
instance, in 2024, the PSEA network advised two national NGOs not to allocate funds for PSEA awareness and
printing materials but instead utilize existing resources from the network. This enabled the NGOs to allocate
their budget to other essential PSEA activities, such as providing services to victims and survivors, while also
assisting organizations with insufficient funding by referring cases to them.
In 2024, the PSEA network facilitated consultations with 80 partners to identify PSEA needs and associated
costs, resulting in a flash appeal for $2.7 million USD. The appeal aimed to address priority needs such as
reinforcing the PSEA network's advocacy for survivor-centered practices, enhancing community networks for
PSEA mainstreaming, and mitigating risks of SEA among high-risk groups through various interventions.

Identification of program project risks

PSEA Network monitors cluster commitments on PSEA. The HRP move to activity base and the PSEA Network is
developing tools to implement risk mitigation measure according to affected community, area and activity. All
partners are advised to be vetted prior to receiving funds. Suppliers are a raising concern.

PART IV: PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Capacity and Resources
Coordination structure
The PSEA Network is staffed with one International Coordinator, one National Coordinator, one communication
consultant and one administrative officer. One PSEA Specialist for Gaza is under recruitment. Funding is available
until December 2024. Under discussion is the designation of two dedicated focal points in each of the Gaza Strip
Area Based Coordination
All cluster have assigned dedicated focal points from partners.

PSEA focal Point Capacity

All UN agencies have designated focal points most of them have received some form of training on PSEA related
to their functions as a Focal Point. In 2023, the PSEA Network counted with 101 active focal points form partners.
Given the critical context, the PSEA Coordinator advises UN agencies and strategic partners to recruit dedicated
personnel.

Mechanism and Accountability

Victim Assistance
Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection victim Assistance services.
The main helpline to report PSEA, which also provides emergency services and psychological first aid, has
registered a steady increase in the delivery of counselling sessions. The system is comprehensive and
contextualized within the changing scenarios of the conflict and facilitates referrals to GBV services.

The helpline has addressed calls about PFA, MHPSS, SEA, accountability and safeguarding claims for affected
populations. In 2020, the helpline provided a total of 9,936 counselling sessions, in 2021 and
2022, counselling sessions bypassed 23,000; and in 2023 despite the severe communication
restrictions, the helpline provided 28,228 counselling sessions, 18,638 since the beginning of
the war. These calls have been crucial entry points for Mental Health Psychosocial Support

48
Services (MHPSS), medical sessions, and referrals for food and cash. The helpline has addressed 9,002
mentions of SGBV forms, 4,860 during counselling sessions since October 2023, 1,060 on poor access to food
or starvation, including child deaths, and has incorporated the protocol for unaccompanied and missing
children.

Reporting
Community Reporting
Limited Awareness and Use of Reporting Mechanisms. A significant challenge is the limited awareness among
aid recipient families of reporting mechanisms for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), coupled with a reluctance
to use these mechanisms due to scepticism about their effectiveness and fear of negative repercussions, such
as aid being cut off.120 The OCHA multi-sectoral survey assessment conducted in July 2022 revealed significant
challenges in the awareness and use of reporting mechanisms for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in the
State of Palestine. In the West Bank, only 4.2% of aid recipient families were aware of a reporting mechanism,
with 53.4% expressing reluctance to use them due to scepticism about positive outcomes. Awareness was
slightly higher in Gaza at 21%, yet similar concerns about the effectiveness and potential repercussions of
reporting were prevalent. The survey highlighted a general lack of knowledge about the Humanitarian Code of
Conduct and low levels of community consultation regarding PSEA mechanisms, indicating a need for increased
engagement and trust-building.
The survey also shed light on safety concerns, particularly for children and women, with reports of feeling unsafe
at school or while receiving humanitarian aid and fears of sexual harassment and violence. These issues were
more pronounced in highly conflicted areas and among aid-dependent households, underscoring the link
between aid dependency and SEA risk.
In response to these challenges, the PSEA Network has focused on enhancing staff awareness, training focal
points, and investing in organizational change and survivor assistance. Efforts include reassessing the risk of key
partners, training 140 focal points, certifying 32 trainers, and providing intensive training to 14 case managers
specialized in PSEA. Additionally, the main reporting helpline has been reinforced to handle increased demand
for services. These measures aim to improve the effectiveness of reporting channels and ensure timely and
appropriate responses to allegations, thereby reducing safety concerns for complainants and mitigating
reputational risks for the humanitarian community. The national campaign for PSEA awareness has been
rescheduled to better prepare for community engagement, reflecting the network's commitment to addressing
these challenges and enhancing access to safe and confidential channels for assistance and investigations.
• Telecommunication and Electricity Blackouts. The ongoing hostilities have led to internet and
telecommunication blackouts and electricity cuts, making it difficult to establish contact with on-the-ground
PSEA focal points and reach vulnerable individuals. This severely hampers the ability to identify cases of SEA
and provide necessary support.
• Dependency on Aid and Increased Vulnerability. The context of severe aid dependency, particularly in the
Gaza Strip, increases vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. The lack of safe aid delivery mechanisms
further exacerbates this issue, highlighting the need for safeguarding and risk mitigation measures.
• Financial Constraints. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the OPT have cited financial constraints that
hinder hiring, safeguard personnel, and limit operational expenses.121
• Infrastructure Damage and Access Issues: Damage to infrastructure, including water supply systems, and
restricted access to internally displaced persons (IDP) locations due to security concerns and movement
restrictions complicate the delivery of aid and the implementation of PSEA measures. 122

120 https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-israel-flash-update-5-enarhe
121 https://safeguardingsupporthub.org/webinars/state-safeguarding-across-mena-region-and-forging-safeguarding-partnerships
122 https://www.unicef.org/media/146861/file/State-of-Palestine-Escalation-Humanitarian-SitRep-No.2,-20-October-2023.pdf

49
Staff Reporting
At the end of 2022, In Palestine, significant progress was made in training humanitarian workers on the Inter-
Agency Standing Committee (IASC) standards of conduct to protect against sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).
Of 17,167 personnel from 29 signatories, 15,055 (87%) received online PSEA training, emphasizing a zero-
tolerance policy and managerial responsibilities to prevent SEA. Five Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions were
conducted, resulting in the first batch of certified PSEA trainers. These trainers and over 120 focal points in the
PSEA network advocate for a survivor-centred approach, prioritizing the needs of those with less access to
reporting mechanisms. The PSEA system in the State of Palestine collaborates closely with SGBV partners, and a
PSEA Coordinator has been appointed as the field officer for the Office of the Victim’s Rights Advocate, ensuring
a survivor-centred approach is integrated into all PSEA activities.123
In 2023, three ToTs – two in Gaza and one in West Bank- provided training for 40 participants that enrolled the
peer-to-peer program. Complementary to this, two Head of Agencies training were offered for senior
management and one training of 120 hours was offered to 17 case managers with focus in SEA protocols. The
IASC 2023 exercise also reflected that online training is vastly available, reaching to a 85% of the staff of the
reporting agencies. In person training, however, remains scarce reaching to 11% in the first half of the year and
decreasing in the second half due to the inset of the war. Effort to offer in person training have been revamped
yet still limited. It is highly recommended that agencies deploy safeguarding / SEA specialist that support with
the cascade effect of the ToTs.

Inter-agency SEA Referral Procedures

The PSEA Network has made significant strides in establishing a survivor-centred approach. Both the helpline
counsellors and the focal points are able to provide holistic services and referrals, this is addressing the needs
of survivors at large. The Interagency Standard of Protocol is the cornerstone agreed mechanism to articulate
referrals and support to survivors. Survivor Centred practices are inserted through various working groups and
project vetting processes to integrate an intersectional rights-based approach into humanitarian response plans
(HRP). Notably, in 2022, efforts were made to draft a project proposal for survivor assistance and to ensure HRPs
reflect PSEA principles. The 2023 Annual Work Plan (AWP) emphasizes the network's responsibilities and
priorities, marking a shift towards a more results and rights-based approach. The PSEA Coordinator oversees
these initiatives, supported by a PSEA Specialist in Gaza, a National Coordinator and a program associate. Now
independent and reporting directly to the HC/RC while hosted at OCHA, the network serves UN agencies, INGOs,
and NGOs, showcasing a model of good practice. Its enhanced integration into intersectoral coordination
structures, including SGBV, Child Protection Area of Responsibilities (AoRs), and the National Inter-cluster
Coordination Group, underscores its growing influence and commitment to survivor centred PSEA efforts.124

Community Awareness
During 2023 the PSEA Network has transitioned to a new visual identity. Under the name SANAD –support –
the PSEA Network wants to be closer to the community at two levels. First, as the venue that gathers a
community of care and brings partners together to produce IEC materials with a PSEA/ Safeguarding angle, and
second as a reliable place for affected communities to raise questions, find information and feel secure to
issue complaints. SANAD was launched at the end of December 2023 and despite the difficulties in
connectivity, it shows a steady growth in posts’ reach, engagement and followers, with an average 1.9 million
Meta audience members reached monthly, while a total of 5,682 audience members following Sanad’s
Instagram and Facebook pages, and 426 audience members who are subscribed to the Telegram page. SANAD
aims to be recognized as the most reliable, trusted, and popular public engagement platform, uniting the

123 OPT PSEA Network Annual Report, 2022.

124 PSEA Network Annual Report, 2022.

50
efforts of the UN, INGOs, Palestinian NGOs and civil society organizations in the State of Palestine. Grassroots
organizations, thus, promote SANAD PSEA awareness through community mobilization. To this date, 109,328
children and their caregivers have received SANAD messages in the Gaza Strip.

Investigations
Twenty-three (23) network members reported that their personnel had received training on SEA standards and
procedures for victim/survivor-centered investigations by the end of 2022. The PSEA Network facilitates
organizational reform and coordinates technical assistance for humanitarian community members. This requires
a preliminary risk assessment of their programmes, partners, and institutions. Twelve organisations conducted
a thorough PSEA assessment in 2022 utilizing the IP UN common assessment instrument.

Community participation was given precedence during the reporting period over investigation. However, during
various consultations, it became apparent that additional effort is required to engage the community and
increase awareness at this level.

51
Annex I: Gaza SEA Drivers Summary Table
ECONOMIC FACTORS
Lack of Basic needs: Scarcity of basic needs to meet essential living conditions increases competition for
resources, thus deepening power dynamics where the most vulnerable will be highly exposed to abuse and
exploitation (including sexual but not only) to access primary goods for survival.
Hunger: The declaration of famine re-dimensions access to humanitarian and charity food supply as the solely
live saving mechanism for the most vulnerable.
Absence formal economies: Emergence of black markets further weakens institutional capacities to address
equal access to affected communities and minimum protection assurances, including channels to report
wrongdoing and seek safety.
Changes in the vulnerability framework: Pre-existing categories of vulnerability prevail with important nuances:
children supporting women head of household, women without guardianship, women in lower ranks of the
kindship structures, families without extended families, unaccompanied children, injured individuals, people
with disabilities, and old people without extended family populate a new vulnerability framework.

SOCIAL FACTORS
Overcrowding in shelters, WASH facilities and distribution lines, has a deep impact in the social cohesion.
Families with different social backgrounds and descending from different family lineage are forced to co-habit
together. Individuals with lesser protection from a pack are exposed to higher SEA risks in humanitarian
response. Compromised privacy, physical safety and security of people and adds mental and psychosocial
pressures on the population.

Loss of Family and Social Support Systems: Force displacement, military check points, isolation from relatives,
lack of means of transport, and lack of privacy have completely broken traditional support networks of families.
Those who lose their support networks become more vulnerable and potentially subject to SEA.

Weakened conflict resolution mechanism: formal safety and security institutions like the police is absence with
a clear rupture in the rule of law. Informal and customary mechanism are still present but focused on addressing
multiple family disputes. With regard to access to humanitarian aid and protection of vulnerable groups, the
mediation of informal actors may not be sufficient to reverse power dynamics where stronger families prevail.

Mental Health and Collective Trauma: bereavement, lack of hope, severe trauma, depression among other
mental health conditions are an underlying factor of accepting situations of abuse and exploitation.

Hyper-masculinization of the conflict refers to an overwhelming presence of men in public spaces, managerial
and operational positions. An exacerbated ratio of men versus women hampers women possibilities to voice
their needs and secure means of survival that safe and respectful.

Exacerbated traditional and customary law with embedded women discrimination practices are often
strengthen in conflict settings where women are not able to relay on formal justice processes that are inclusive
of women’s rights.

TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS
Lack of Information: The lack of information on aid, including medical care, shelters, food security,
miscellaneous distribution, and psychosocial support, increases vulnerability and thus exacerbates SEA and
safeguarding risks associated with the humanitarian response to the Strip.
Deprivation of ICTs as Tools for Survival: As ICTs can be used as tools for survival, deprivation from accessing
ICTs exacerbates SEA risks. For example, in cases where families and communities cannot identify each other’s
locations or people cannot call ambulances and/or civil defense services, vulnerability increases and thus, SEA
risks increase.

52
ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS
Threat of Endemics and Pandemics: The current situation in the Gaza Strip is producing environmental hazards,
such as endemics and pandemics, which compromise people’s physical and psychological well-being and thus
exacerbate vulnerability associated with safeguarding and SEA.

Extended exposure to lack of livelihood: communities in the Gaza Strip will be forced to endure critical living
conditions for an undetermined duration until rubble is remove and housing and basic infrastructure will be
restored.

Severe restrictions in mobility will impact communities and men, women, young people, and children
differently. Rehabilitation of space may not prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. Fear of danger, lack of
public space for playing or sports.

53
Annex II: SEA_ Safeguarding Risks and Mitigation-Distribution

Safeguarding Risks in Distribution

Safeguarding Risks Likelihood Impact Mitigation Measures
Insufficient aid arriving Advocacy for humanitarian
at the Strip, not meeting H H assistance and aid to enter
demands the Strip
Consult communities on
Quality of material being
needs for material assistance
distributed not meeting H H
Ensure quality of products
community needs
delivered to the Strip
Announce dates and times for
Inconsistency and distributions prior to
irregularity of distribution
distributions, as they do Schedule distributions
H H
not take place at specific consistently
known times, and Engage community members
location in announcing times and
locations of distribution
Ensure is happening in a safe
open location during daytime
In case distribution happens at
Distribution taking place night, encourage women and
M H
at night girls to come together in
groups
In case distribution happens at
night, ensure the site is well lit
Announce dates and times for
distributions prior to
distribution
Announce content and
Lack of information material included in the
about distribution times, distribution prior to distribution
H H
locations, and other Ensure that information
relevant details explaining that aid is free is
available on site
Engage community members
in announcing times and
locations of distribution
Ensure distribution sites are
managed by both men and
Lack of supervision by women
humanitarian personnel H H Ensure humanitarian
of all genders personnel on site are easy to
identify, through badges
and/or uniforms

54
 Assign community stewards
trained on positive social
values, such as respect,
dignity, privacy, sharing
(I’thar), compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun), to
organise lines and queues
Ensure distribution sites have
ramps are accessible
Prioritise people with
Distribution sites not
disabilities, the elderly, and
meeting the needs of
children in lines
different social groups,
Consult members of
such as the elderly, H H
communities on how to tailor
children, women, girls,
distribution sites to respond to
and people with
their needs
disabilities
Ensure that distribution lines
are separated for men and
women
Distribution sites being Consult communities on new
in locations difficult to H M locations for distributions
access Diversify distribution locations
Increase the number of
waiting lines on distribution
sites
Ensure sufficient numbers of
trained supervisors and
Long waiting time H H
stewards are on site, easy to
identify with uniforms or
badges
Ensure lines and queues are
organised and managed fairly
Ensure distribution sites have
messages against unfair
treatment
Ensure that information
explaining that aid is free is
Aid being distributed available on site
unfairly, due to Ensure messages that
M H
favouritism and distribution is carried out fairly
nepotism Identify trusted community
members to handle unfair
treatment
Encourage people to complain
about and report unfair
treatment
Lack of complaints and Identify trusted community
conflict response M H members/initiatives to handle
mechanisms conflicts

55
 Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network
[Sanad] Details
Ensure messages against
abusive practices are visible
on the distribution site
Ensure messages promoting
Lack of messaging
positive social values are
against abusive H H
available and visible on site,
practices
including respect, dignity,
privacy, sharing (I’thar),
compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Ensure that information
explaining that aid is free is
available on site
Encourage people to report
Lack of information that
M H abuse of aid
explains that aid is free
Provide flyers, with details of a
complaints response
mechanism, with aid
packages
Provision of details on mental
and psychosocial support
Lack of essential life
services available
needs compromising
H H Ensure psychosocial support
mental and
personnel are available on site
psychological well being
Advocacy for more
humanitarian aid
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
conflicts
Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network
[Sanad] Details
Possibility of social
Ensure psychosocial support
conflicts arising due to
personnel are available on site
the extremity of living
M H Ensure messages promoting
conditions, with severe
positive social values are
poverty, thirst, and
available and visible on site,
hunger
including respect, dignity,
privacy, sharing (I’thar),
compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Encourage people to complain
about unfair treatment and
abuse

56
SEA / Safeguarding Risks and Mitigation- Food Security

Safeguarding Risks in Food Distribution

Safeguarding Risks Likelihood Impact Mitigation Measures
Insufficient food items, Advocacy for food assistance
not meeting demands H H to enter the Strip

Quality of food Consult communities on food

distributed not meeting needs,
community needs, M H Ensure quality of food
and/or below products delivered to the Strip
expectations
Announce dates and times for
Inconsistency and
food distributions
irregularity of food
Schedule food distributions
distributions, as they do
H H consistently
not take place at specific
Engage community members
known times, and
in announcing times and
locations
locations of food distribution
M H Ensure food distribution and
assistance is happening in a
safe open location during
daytime
In case food distribution
Food distribution taking
happens at night, encourage
place at night
women and girls to come
together in groups
In case food distribution
happens at night, ensure the
site is well lit
H H Announce dates and times for
food distributions prior to
distribution
Announce details of food
Lack of information assistance provided through
about food distribution the distribution
times, locations, and Ensure that information
other relevant details explaining that aid is free is
available on distribution sites
Engage community members
in announcing times and
locations of food distributions
Ensure food distribution sites
Lack of supervision by are managed by both men
humanitarian personnel H H and women
of all genders Ensure humanitarian
personnel on site are easy to

57
 identify, through badges
and/or uniforms
Assign community stewards
trained on positive social
values, such as respect,
dignity, privacy, sharing
(I’thar), compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun), to
organise lines and queues
Ensure food distribution sites
have ramps are accessible
Prioritise people with
Food distribution sites
disabilities, the elderly, and
not meeting the needs of
children in lines
different social groups,
Consult members of
such as the elderly, H H
communities on how to tailor
children, women, girls,
food distribution sites to
and people with
respond to their needs
disabilities
Ensure that food distribution
lines are separated for men
and women
Consult communities on new
Food distribution sites
locations for food distributions
being in locations H M
Diversify food distribution
difficult to access
locations
Increase the number of
waiting lines on food
distribution sites
Ensure sufficient numbers of
trained supervisors and
Long waiting time H H
stewards are on site, easy to
identify with uniforms or
badges
Ensure lines and queues are
organised and managed fairly
Ensure distribution sites have
messages against unfair
treatment
Ensure that information
explaining that aid is free is
Aid being distributed
available on site
unfairly, due to
M H Ensure messages that food
favouritism and
distribution is carried out fairly
nepotism
Identify trusted community
members to handle unfair
treatment
Encourage people to complain
about unfair treatment

58
 M H Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
Lack of complaints and conflicts
conflict response Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network
[Sanad] Details
Ensure messages against
abusive practices are visible
on the distribution site
Ensure messages promoting
Lack of messaging
positive social values are
against abusive H H
available and visible on site,
practices
including respect, dignity,
privacy, sharing (I’thar),
compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Ensure that information
explaining that aid is free is
available on site
Lack of information that Encourage people to report
M H
explains that aid is free abuse of aid
Provide flyers, with details of a
complaints response
mechanism
Provision of details on mental
and psychosocial support
Lack of essential life
services available
needs compromising
H H Ensure psychosocial support
mental and
personnel are available on site
psychological well being
Advocacy for more
humanitarian aid
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
conflicts
Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms
Possibility of social Provide PSEA Network
conflicts arising due to [Sanad] Details
the extremity of living Ensure psychosocial support
M H
conditions, with severe personnel are available on site
poverty, thirst, and Ensure messages promoting
hunger positive social values are
available and visible on site,
including respect, dignity,
privacy, sharing (I’thar),
compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)

59
Encourage people to complain
about and report unfair
treatment and abuse

60
SEA / Safeguarding Risks and Mitigation- WASH

Safeguarding Risks in WASH

Safeguarding Risks Likelihood Impact Mitigation Measures
Provision of more WASH
facilities
Advocacy on WASH needs,
Increased demand over
H H Advocacy on the impact of the
WASH facilities
lack of facilities such as
spread of diseases, infections,
etc.
Ensure facilities have doors
Ensure facilities have locks
Lack of privacy
H H
provisions Ensure facilities include
privacy provisions, such as
separating curtains
Provision of more facilities
Ensure sufficient numbers of
trained supervisors and
stewards are on site, easy to
Over crowdedness H H
identify with uniforms or
badges
Ensure lines and queues are
organised and managed fairly
Ensure there are facilities for
Lack of facilities
different genders
assigned for different M H
Encourage women and girls to
genders
walk to facilities in groups
Ensure WASH facilities have
ramps, handrails, and
removable seats
Not Meeting the needs of
Ensure WASH facilities are
different social groups,
accessible to children
such as the elderly,
H H Ensure provision of assistance
children, women, girls,
for the disabled
and people with
Consult members of
disabilities
communities on how to tailor
facilities to respond to their
needs
Ensure sites are supervised
by both men and women
Lack of supervision by
Ensure humanitarian
humanitarian personnel H H
personnel on site are easy to
of all genders
identify, through badges
and/or uniforms

61
 Assign community stewards
trained on positive social
values, such as respect,
dignity, privacy, sharing
(I’thar), compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Ensure facilities are well lit,
Electricity cuts, causing especially at night
lack of lighting Ensure facilities have
H H
compromises feeling of alternative sources of energy,
safety in the space such as solar panels and
generators
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
conflicts
Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network
[Sanad] Details
Provision of mental and
Possibility of social psychosocial support services
conflicts arising due to on sites
M H
traumas and Ensure messages promoting
displacement positive social values are
available and visible on site,
including respect, dignity,
privacy, sharing (I’thar),
compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Encourage people to complain
about and report unfair
treatment and abuse
Consult communities on
Locations of facilities
locations of new facilities
require long distance H M
Provision of more WASH
travel
facilities
Ensure information is
available about the use of
Lack of information on facilities
H H
use of facilities Ensure that information
explaining that aid is free is
available on site
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
Lack of complaints and conflicts
conflict response M H Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network
[Sanad] Details

62
 Ensure messages against
abusive practices are visible in
the facility
Ensure messages promoting
Lack of messaging
positive social values are
against abusive H H
available and visible on site,
practices
including respect, dignity,
privacy, sharing (I’thar),
compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Provision of personal hygiene
Deprivation of water kits that include antibacterial
compromising hygiene wipes
and cleanliness, and Provision of mental and
H H
affecting people’s mental psychosocial support services
and psychological well on sites
being Advocacy on water
deprivation

63
SEA_ Safeguarding Risks and Mitigation- SHELTER

Safeguarding Risks in Shelters

Safeguarding Risks Likelihood Impact Mitigation Measures
Provision of more shelters
Advocacy on the protection of
Mass displacement and loss
shelters from the military
of homes causing an
H H operation
increased demand over
shelters Advocacy on the impact of the lack
of shelters on people’s lives, safety,
wellbeing, and health
Ensure rooms have doors
Ensure families are homed
together

Lack of privacy provisions H H

Ensure there are gender-separated
spaces and rooms
Ensure facilities include privacy
provisions, such as separating
curtains
Provision of more shelters
Ensure sufficient numbers of
trained supervisors and stewards
are in the shelter, easy to identify
Over crowdedness H H
with uniforms or badges
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
conflicts
Ensure there are spaces for
different genders
Lack of spaces assigned for
M H Encourage women and girls not to
different genders
walk alone in corridors and dark
spaces

Not Meeting the needs of Ensure the shelter is equipped

different social groups, such H H with ramps, handrails, and
as the elderly, children, accessible toilets

64
women, girls, and people Ensure shelter is safe for children
with disabilities
Set up entertainment and
educational activities for children,
through engaging the community
Ensure provision of assistance for
the disabled
Ensure shelters are supervised by
both men and women
Ensure the shelters’ managers are
easy to identify, through badges
Lack of supervision by
and/or uniforms
humanitarian personnel of H H
all genders Assign community stewards
trained on positive social values,
such as respect, dignity, privacy,
sharing (I’thar), compassion
(rahma), cooperation (ta’aoun)
Ensure shelters are well lit,
Electricity cuts, causing lack especially in corridors at night
of lighting compromises H H Ensure shelters have alternative
feeling of safety in the space sources of energy, such as solar
panels and generators
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
conflicts
Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network [Sanad]
Details
Possibility of social conflicts
arising due to traumas and M H Provision of mental and
displacement psychosocial support services on
sites
Ensure messages promoting
positive social values are available
and visible on site, including
respect, dignity, privacy, sharing
(I’thar), compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)

65
 Encourage people to complain
about and report unfair treatment
and abuse
Ensure information about facilities
Lack of information about at the shelter is available
M H
the shelter’s facilities Ensure that information explaining
that aid is free is available on site
Identify trusted community
members/initiatives to handle
conflicts
Lack of complaints and
conflict response M H Set up complaints’ response
mechanisms mechanisms
Provide PSEA Network [Sanad]
Details
Ensure messages against abusive
practices are visible in the facility
Ensure messages promoting
Lack of messaging against positive social values are available
H H
abusive practices and visible on site, including
respect, dignity, privacy, sharing
(I’thar), compassion (rahma),
cooperation (ta’aoun)
Provision of personal hygiene kits
that include antibacterial wipes
Ensure mental and psychosocial
support services are available in
the shelters
Ensure information about medical
Lack of presence of care services is available
H H
protection actors
Ensure information about available
psychosocial support services is
available
Ensure information about aid and
distributions, times and locations,
is available (also for aid outside the
shelters)

66
Ensure provision of information on
first aid
Set up entertainment and
educational activities for children,
through engaging the community

67
Annex III: West Bank Safeguarding Preparedness Checklist

Minimum Preparedness Actions for Safeguarding Risks in the West Bank

(MPAs)
Action Status Needed
Resources
Ensure the organisational has security policies
and protocols in place
Ensure all personnel have access to security
policies and protocols
Ensure all personnel have access to
organisational policies and procedures
Ensure the organisation has feedback and
complaints mechanisms
Ensure all personnel are aware of and can
access feedback and complaints mechanisms
Ensure all personnel are familiar with the
organisations’ Monitoring, Evaluation,
Accountability and Learning Framework
Ensure all personnel are trained to use
alternative communications equipment, such as
satellite radios and encrypted communications
devices
Ensure all personnel have access to safe
working spaces
Ensure all personnel participate in regular
meetings to share concerns, barriers, and
challenges
Ensure the organisation has data management
and data protection policies and mechanisms
Ensure all personnel have access to data
management and data protection policies
Ensure the organisation has an emergency
fund
Ensure all personnel understand how to access
emergency funds, if available
Ensure psychosocial and mental health support
is available for personnel and beneficiaries
Ensure personnel receive HEAT trainings
(Hostile Environment Awareness Training)
Ensure personnel receive trainings on
contingency planning
Ensure personnel receive first aid training
Ensure personnel receive trainings on “Leave
No One Behind” in humanitarian responses
Ensure personnel receive trainings on the
documentation of violence and human rights
violations

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Ensure the documentation of human rights
violations the organisation and its personnel
are subjected to
Ensure personnel can access shelters and
accommodation in cases of emergencies, and
displacement
Ensure organisational spaces and shelters
comply with safety measures and regulations
needed for conflict contexts, such as sealing
off material, fixings, tools, first aid kits and fire
extinguishers
Ensure rapid recruitment processes can apply
in emergencies
Ensure flexible procurement processes can
apply in emergencies
Ensure financial policies and procedures do not
hinder access to emergency funds
Establish and maintain open lines of
communications between personnel at all
levels
Ensure personnel details such as addresses,
emergency contacts and phone number are up
to date and available to relevant personnel
Ensure organisational budgets cover costs
associated with preparedness, emergency
expenses and contingency plans
Ensure the organisation has safeguarding
policies and procedures
Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures
are mainstreamed into Human Resource
management
Establish and maintain safe communications
protocols, emergency funds and other
resources to address advanced risks
Maintain a centralised database of
organisational details, such as location of
different offices, projects, funders, inventories
of equipment, supplies, and capacities in
different facilities
Maintain a centralised database of key external
contacts, such as lawyers, prisoners’
committees, civil defence, local committees,
etc.
Establish open communications channels with
local committees and/or other CBOs and CSOs
Establish risk assessment and mitigation
processes and strategies for all risks, including
those associated with all project activities, such

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as trainings, workshops, assessments, and
campaigns, etc.
Develop data protection and management
processes for each project
Ensure all project personnel are aware of
potential project activities risks
Ensure all project personnel are aware of
potential context related risks
Establish and regularly update a centralised
database of the organisation’s partners’ details,
including assigned focal points and services
Form partnerships with medical service
providers
Form partnerships with sexual and
reproductive health rights services providers
Form partnerships with psychosocial and
mental health support providers
Form partnerships with legal service providers
Form partnerships with accommodation and
shelter providers
Form partnerships with security services
Form partnerships with entities that deal with
Palestinian prisoners
Form partnerships with journalists and media
platforms
Form partnerships with coalitions and groups,
which have advocacy, lobbying and pressure
capacities
Integrate risk assessments into partnership
processes
Introduce this preparedness checklist to
partners
Regulate partnerships through memoranda of
understandings and partnership agreements
Ensure partners have access to complaints
response mechanisms

Advanced Preparedness Actions for Safeguarding Risks in the West Bank

(APAs)
Action Needed Resources
Safeguard organisational assets
Ensure human resource management
procedures do not hinder emergency response
Ensure financial procedures do not hinder
emergency response
Ensure procurement procedures do not hinder
emergency response

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Communicate decisions around emergency
response transparently
Prioritise the safety, security, and wellbeing of
personnel over productivity and allow for remote
work
Shift project budgets to respond to emergencies
Secure projects data
Communicate emergencies and emergency
response plans with partners
Reach out to relevant partners for support
Assess risks that could affect partners and
communicate risks to partners

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