UNOCHA - Emergency Response Fund for the oPt 2014-2015

The humanitarian impact of armed conflict and continued Israeli occupation policies come against a backdrop of heightened vulnerability and instability in the oPt and in particular in Gaza because of the blockade. Winter storms exacerbate needs further. Death, injuries and destruction of homes and public infrastructure is rising constantly requiring emergency interventions from the UN clusters in particular the health, Shelter, Water & Sanitation and the protection clusters.

The UN faces particular constraints to fully play its coordination and rights’ promotion and protection roles especially in Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Area C of the West Bank.

To provide effective, principled and rapid humanitarian response mechanism to address the emergency needs of vulnerable communities in the oPt by the Humanitarian Country Team which prevents the irrevocable loss of livelihoods, fills a well-defined funding gap while enhancing advocacy and protection activities

• The civilian population at large facing humanitarian risks and lacking protection in time of crisis.
• Local and International organizations & decision-makers influencing humanitarian outcomes in the oPt.
• HCT members & agencies (UN agencies, national and international NGOs)

1. Palestinian women, men and children whose livelihood is at threat have access to urgent humanitarian aid.

2. The Humanitarian Coordinator with the assistance of OCHA’s management role is strengthened to lead effective coordination of humanitarian action with improved preparedness and alignment with the priority needs identified by the SRP in order to promote coordinated response in a system-wide approach to “Delivering as One”

3. The quality of emergency humanitarian response is enhanced

Risultati principali attesi:  

1. Maintained crucial provision of basic humanitarian assistance and responses to prevent further deterioration in lives and livelihoods in the oPt

2. Provided sufficient funding to support rapid responses needed during and after the ongoing armed conflict of 2014 as well at the onset of disasters and crisis before mainstream responses come on line (i.e. winter storm at the end of 2013 and hostilities in July 2014).

3. Strengthened an operational mechanism relevant to humanitarian advocacy and protection priorities. Almost 3.5 million people benefited from ERF funded projects in 2014 until October (with 64 projects funded for nearly US$ 14 million USD for intervention in the Gaza Strip (65%) and the West Bank (35%), mainly area C to address needs for WASH, Food Security, Education, Protection, Health and Emergency Shelter & NFI. Of the projects approved, 28 projects were implemented directly by National NGOs, 19 projects implemented directly by International NGOs, in addition to 11 projects implemented in partnership between National and International NGOs and six projects implemented by UN agencies.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

ERF has funded 204 projects since its establishment in 2007. The total amount of funds disbursed for these projects reached 38.8 million USD.

The funded projects addressed emergency needs and/or filled critical gaps in Agriculture, Education, Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Health and Nutrition.

ERF has aligned its strategy with the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) over the past five years, as a tool for the provision of flexible and predictable financing to promote greater effectiveness, accountability and partnership in humanitarian response.

Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom 

Many of SDC partners are members of the different humanitarian clusters, including human rights organizations, and can potentially benefit from the ERF to complement SDC regular funding as well as contribute to decisions about humanitarian priorities.

ERF offers a platform for coordination of response and advocacy with key actors and among donors.

Fase 3 01.12.2014 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)