HEKS: Support Conflict-affected IDPs in Gaza


Through this support, Switzerland is helping meet urgent humanitarian needs of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip who has been displaced and is now living in makeshift shelters. The intervention provides kits to improve shelter conditions, offers assistance to help cover essential needs, and delivers targeted mental health and psychological support.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Emergency Relief and Protection
Health
Emergency rehabilitation
Protection, access & security
Health systems strengthening
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
01.01.2025 - 30.06.2026
CHF  1’900’000
Background As a result of the outbreak of armed hostilities in the Gaza Strip (GS) in October 2023 humanitarian needs have substantially increased in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). By November 2024, at least 43,391 have been reported killed with around 102,347 injured; 1.9 million people (86% of the population in the Gaza Strip) internally displaced and living in temporary shelters according to the UN. The housing sector and populated areas have suffered the majority of the damage. According to the World Bank, 62% of all homes in the GS have been either damaged or destroyed (76% fully destroyed and 24% partially damaged). Shelter conditions are dire, underscoring the urgent need to ease prolonged displacement and address the negative social, economic, and health impacts on individuals' physical and mental well-being.
Objectives Vulnerable IDPs in the GS have access to adequate shelter and minimum standards of life during the current humanitarian emergency.
Target groups Most vulnerable Gaza population residing in shelters, including households headed by female and children, or households with members who are elderly, disabled, or suffering from chronic illness.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Vulnerable IDP households have access to improved shelter conditions

Outcome 2: Vulnerable IDP households have access to basic services.

Outcome 3: IDP households have an improved feeling of psychological comfort and can deal with stress and trauma.

Results

Expected results:  

Output 1: 735 IDP households receive sealing-off kits, bedding sets and kitchen sets

Output 2: 15 project staff members receive a 5-days face-to-face training on Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) and Psychological first aid (PFA)

Output 3: 50 awareness raising sessions on EORE and CPP are organized

Output 4: A manual on best practices for using sealing-off kits and local materials to upgrade emergency shelters, while applying circularity strategies (refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, recycle) is prepared and disseminated

Output 5: 250 IDP households receive one MPCA payment of ILS 1,000

Output 6: 20 MHPSS1 service providers, receive 15 hours of training on crisis psychological interventions, Psychological First Aid, and Mental Health Gap to enhance their efficiency

Output 7: 140 families will receive 560 family counselling sessions

Output 8: 2000 children and parents participate in 20 recreational activities, where each activity will target 100 beneficiaries

Output 9: 150 women and girls who suffered loss due to the war will receive peer-to-peer group support sessions

Output 10: 150 women and girls who suffer from intensive psychological pressures will receive psychological group counselling sessions

Output 11: 240 children and adolescents will receive psychological group counselling sessions

Output 12: 630 men participate on sessions on stress management, domestic violence, Gender Based Violence-GBV and MHPSS services.


Results from previous phases:   N/A


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Humanitarian aid
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Swiss Interchurch Aid
  • Foreign private sector South/East
  • HEKS/EPER


Coordination with other projects and actors SDC’s emergency response, including WHO, OCHA HF, ICRC, as well as Swiss NGOs (TdH and MdM)
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’900’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’500’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   1’300’000
Project phases Phase 1 01.01.2025 - 30.06.2026   (Current phase)