The humanitarian situation in the oPt continues deteriorating and being characterized by a protracted protection crisis. This is driven by the direct consequences of the prolonged Israeli military occupation, of the ongoing intra-Palestinian divide since 2007, the closure of the Gaza Strip and more recently the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the stalled political process, 2.45 M civilians are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection (or one every two Palestinians in oPt). To date, the main vehicle for operational humanitarian coordination in the oPt has been the UN-led Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) which brings together UN agencies, national and international NGOs organised in sectorial clusters. The HF is a UN-coordinated country-based pooled fund (CBPF) that aims at harmonizing humanitarian coordination and the effectiveness of the cluster system at country level.

HF oPt has 5 specific objectives:

• Support life-saving and life-sustaining activities while filling critical gaps;
• Promote needs-based assistance in accordance with humanitarian principles;
• Strengthen coordination and leadership primarily through the function of the HC and by leveraging the humanitarian cluster system;
• Improve the relevance and coherence of humanitarian response by strategically funding priorities as identified under the Country’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP);
• Expand delivery of assistance in hard-to-reach areas by partnering with national/international NGOs.

Expected results:  

• Timely provision of prioritized humanitarian aid to beneficiaries in oPt in line with HRP objectives and/or sudden humanitarian crisis’ needs
• Fair and transparent allocation processes
• Alignment in 2021 with triple nexus initiatives
• Sustained participation of UN Agencies, INGOs and NNGOs in HF governance and management

Results from previous phases:  

• In 2019 the HF provided humanitarian assistance to 1.1 M people, including 31’000 persons with disabilities
• In 2019, the HF disbursed USD 27.4 M through 2 standard allocations, supporting 62 different projects in the Gaza Strip (77% of funds) and the West Bank (23%).
• Funded projects focused on health system strengthening, preparedness and community resilience, protection response mechanisms and provision of MHPSS, adequate shelter solutions to displaced populations, equitable and affordable access to WASH services and education.
• In 2020 the 78% of the HF funded projects are directly implemented by National NGOs, or in partnership with INGOs/UN agencies and NNGOs.  
• In 2020, the HF Operational Manual was revised and upgraded in line with OCHA’s global guidelines on CBPFs

• 7F-09275.02 Strengthening PNGO Advocacy
• 7F-10626.01 WFP MPCA Gaza
• 7F-09537.01.03 UNICEF Children's Rights
• 7F-10270.01.01 WHO Gaza Trauma care
• 7F-06962.46  UNRWA Programme Budget
• 7F-10109.01 TdH Gaza Protection Program
• 7F-09975.01 OHCHR in the oPt

Phase 6 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)