Memorandum submitted by the Welfare Association
(WA)
INTRODUCTION
The Welfare Association (WA) is grateful for
the opportunity to update its report of September 2003 and continue
to share its experiences and views on priorities of UK Development
Assistance to Palestine, in an effort to be more effective in
alleviating the persisting socioeconomic hardship of Palestinians
through strengthening the development infrastructure.
Since its establishment in 1983, WA has been
supporting the sustainable development of the Palestinian civil
society in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and inside Israel. The
WA provides assistance through its four major programme tracks
of Culture and Identity, Capacity Building of Institutions, Human
Resources Development and Emergency Relief.
Since 2003, the WA has disbursed over US$ 126
million to more than 400 beneficiary NGOs who implement development
programmes in Education, Health, Employment & Income Generation,
and Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Relief. WA interventions
target the most vulnerable groups including youth, women, elderly,
children and people with special needs. This year WA disbursement
is expected to reach US$ 35 million.
To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness
of its services, WA, in 2005 assessed and launched an organisation
development plan which is focused on strengthening its own management
capacity, improving quality, scope and impact of its programmes
along with diversifying resource allocations and strengthening
networks at national and international levels.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
The humanitarian situation in the West Bank
(WB), including East Jerusalem, and in the Gaza Strip has been
rapidly declining since January 2006. Indicators include an unemployment
rate of 29%, and household poverty rate of 70%. Reasons are attributed
to complex and interlinked economic and political factors.
Following the democratic election process of
the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), which was marked by
the victory of Hamas, USA, the Quartet and international donors
severed funding to the Palestinian Authority (PA). Consequently,
the PA has been facing an acute financial crisis with devastating
effects on the social lives of the Palestinians. Together with
the aforementioned, escalations of the Israeli occupation policies
and practices drove the situation to exacerbate and deteriorate
severely.
This evidence submission of WA summarises the
causes of the deteriorating conditions in Palestine and recommends
development priorities for the UK Government.
In February 2006, the Israeli government started
withholding the 50-60 million USD per month of taxation owed to
PA. Coupled with the international donors' cessation of financial
aid, PA has not been able to pay the salaries of Palestinian Civil
servants who comprise 50% of the work force. The severe financial
crisis is escalating the conflict between Fateh and the government
of Hamas; a reality manifested in the recent armed clashes, (2
October 2006), that caused eight deaths in Gaza.
The control of movement and access of people
and goods in Gaza and WB as well as border crossing points, has
been markedly increased. Restriction on movement along with complex
permit restrictions have caused a state of parallelism in trade
and flow of services within the created "cantons" of
the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), between Israel &
OPT, and to third countries. Frequent closures of Karni crossing
point, along with inconsistency and unpredictable operating hours
(when opened) impede investment and economic growth in Gaza. The
unreliability of Karni forms an obstacle with increasingly negative
effect on the flow of local medicine during emergencies (Health
& Food Indicators published by the Humanitarian Monitor, July,
2006). Even though Rafah crossing point between Gaza and Egypt
has been closed for most of the period since 25 June 2006, the
World Bank technical team on 15 August 2006 considered it an alternative
border point to exchange goods with Egypt.
Despite the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from
Gaza in 2005, Israel continues to control the air space, sea and
land borders. By the frequent closure of Karni and Rafah, Gaza
remains sealed.
Internally, the number of permanent check points
has been increasing reaching 552 on 5 September 2006. "Flying"
(mobile) checkpoints, roadblocks, dirt mounds, road gates and
the separation barriers are also being used to tighten movement
restrictions.
When the barrier is completed, 38 villages and
towns comprising almost 10% of the land in WB—including
East Jerusalem- will be confined behind the barrier "seam
zone". According to UN estimates, 50,000 people living in
the "seam zone" will require new identification cards.
Palestinians who wish to commute to their work stations or land
properties are required to have special permits. Issuance of permits
is not guaranteed. Nearly 25% are observed to be rejected. Even
when permits are issued, access becomes subject to operating gate
hours, as well as the level of security determined by IDF, among
other factors.
The barrier is the major cause of the increasing
rate of internal migration of Palestinians. The forced displacement,
which has demographic implications, is attributed to the fact
that the barrier divides neighbourhoods, and separates immediate
family members from each other, children from their schools, hospitals
from neighbouring patients, farmers from their land, and residents
from their work stations and properties. Moreover, the barrier
resulted in destruction and/or annexation of land and demolition
of houses. It encloses neighbourhoods and seals villages. Peoples'
movements are restricted to the gates' opening hours.
All of the above restrictions have a negative
impact on access to work, health care, education, agricultural
growth and industry, all of which are essential components of
development infrastructure. Physical restrictions also represent
the major challenges that WA has been facing in fulfilling its
strategic objectives.
PRIORITIES FOR
UK INTERVENTIONS TO
SUPPORT PALESTINIAN
DEVELOPMENT
Revision of WA previous interventions, needs
assessments, impact studies of programmes, degree of satisfaction
studies and continuous internal discussions at WA have been utilized
to identify the following intervention priorities:
1. Human Resource Development (HRD)
Education is the means that leads to HRD. It
is achieved through the formal (school & college) and the
non-formal (clubs, societies, etc) approaches. Both approaches
need to be simultaneously supported. Provision of quality education,
by meeting the international quality standards, ensures better
outcomes and impact. Quality assurance entails adherence to the
following major components that must be supported comprehensively
(package deal). The best way to do that is through a joint fund.
1.1 Development of infrastructure (facilities
and premises including construction and continuous upgrading of
buildings; establishment of laboratories and IT networks, etc|).
1.2 Development of curricula and learning
materials (text books, audiovisual aids, equipment, technological
& IT aids, etc.) (Preparation of enrichment material has been
identified as a priority).
1.3 Pre-service and in-service (continued)
teacher education and development of methods of teaching material
(interactive learning has been identified as a priority).
1.4 Education management (identified as the
major weakness in formal education, covering PA, UNRWA and private
education sectors).
All of the above applies to pre-school (KG),
General Education, Vocational and Technical Education (VTED) and
University Education. Of these, pre-school (KG) education is recommended
to be a high priority for support. This is due to the educational
significance of this stage and to fact that (KG) is not part of
PA, or UNRWA responsibility. VTED has also been identified as
priority for support because it is linked to market needs and
directly linked to employment and poverty alleviation. It targets
youth and school drop-outs. Education sector analysis conducted
by local and international specialists, highlighted gaps and specified
needed interventions in school, college and university education.
The above priorities are agreed upon by stakeholders as well.
Information Technology (IT) is recommended to
be supported as an integral component of education. A high impact
and innovative approach utilizes IT to ensure self & life
long learning. Software development (educational games, tests,
etc.) that can be added to websites is cross cutting between formal
and non-formal education. Over the past 20 years, WA has been
playing a leading role in promoting the development of education
and introducing initiatives that focus on quality education.
2. Health
The vast majority of interventions in the health
sector are of a relief and emergency assistance nature. While
the latter is imperative, the following (as a package) are yet
to be focused upon:
2.1 Development of infrastructure (hospitals,
health facilities, schools of medicine and paramedical programmes).
2.2 Continued education of physicians and
health sector employees (including rehabilitation of failures
in the licensing exams) and specialized training.
3. Micro Finance and micro enterprise
To alleviate the persisting poverty that is
linked to the current negative economic growth and weak economic
environment (compared to very high population growth), small short—to
medium—term loans are needed to support sub-sectors within
the private sector. Loans are to be given subject to a set of
conditions that ensures a larger scope of work, impact and sustainability.
It has proven to enhance the employability of youth and women
who want to start new businesses or expand old businesses. Loans
are needed in the field of:
3.1 Industry and industrial manufacturing.
3.2 Provision of essential services (health
& education).
3.3 Information Technology.
3.5 Building of houses or office block/industrial
unit.
This intervention is suitable to serve Palestinians
in West Bank including Jerusalem, Gaza, Lebanon and in Israel.
4. Institutional Building within Civil Society
Developing of civil society and its institutions
is of prime concern to the WA. The Palestinian society in the
WB, Gaza and also within Israel is very rich in its civil and
voluntary non-governmental institutions borne out of need during
the 39 years of Israeli occupation. Over 500 NGOs are providing
essential services for the community and complementing PA services
in the fields of health and disability, formal and non-formal
education, culture, social and community services, human and citizen's
rights, democracy and civil functions among others.
WA has an excellent reputation in supporting
NGOs capacity building. Since 1997, Welfare Association Consortium
has been managing the PNGO project, of which a third phase is
currently under preparation and which continues to cover the following
principles:
4.1 Institutional capacity building in order
to provide effective and efficient services to the poor and marginalised.
4.2 Supporting development projects run by
NGOs in the health, educational, cultural and social fields.
4.3 Development and implementation of laws
and regulations governing NGOs especially with regards to public
responsibility and complementation with government services.
5. Sustainable Job Creation Business
A holistic programme that enhances the sustainable
employment of Palestinians, especially the youth, needs to link
micro-credit and education to self employment.
To achieve a better impact, the following priorities
are recommended to be supported:
5.1 Supporting the development of community
college and university practice programs, in partnership with
private industry to enhance relevance of education and On-the-Job
Training system.
5.2 Development of career guidance systems
to increasing awareness of youth and adults regarding Career Job
Opportunities.
5.3 Supporting civil society in developing
and implementing clear developmental policies of relevance.
5.4 Supporting the ability of private sector
to generate employment and create partnership with relevant education
programs.
5.5 Facilitating access to credit for self
employment.
5.6 Supporting the implementation of employment
condition state policies.
6. Supporting the sustainable development
of institutions in East Jerusalem
In East Jerusalem, restrictions on movement
imposed by the Israeli military have seriously exacerbated the
already difficult socio-economic conditions. A system of permits
and checkpoints has isolated East Jerusalem from the remainder
of the West Bank as well as Gaza Strip, strangling economic, social
and cultural activity. Historically the centre for transportation,
trade education, culture and religion for Palestine, the city
is now cut off and Palestinian Jerusalemites are deprived of sustaining
contact with Palestinians in other areas of the West Bank &
Gaza Strip, including extended families. Local businesses have
shrivelled, forcing a redirection of economic activities toward
Israel. The construction of the Wall is now cementing the city's
isolation and has further accelerated the deterioration of living
conditions and quality of life. Even Jerusalem area villages have
found their access to the city and basic services blocked. Palestinian
residents have been burdened by a heavy tax structure on income,
occupancy & compulsory Israeli national insurance (health
& social services) and by a generally high cost of living
compared to Palestinians elsewhere in OPT.
Given the discriminatory access to Israeli municipal
services for Palestinian Jerusalemites and no access at all to
Palestinian Authority services, Palestinian non—governmental
organisations play a particularly vital role in protecting the
Palestinian presence in East Jerusalem and providing much needed
social and development services.
Under the circumstances, creating networks and
effective coordination and cooperation among the NGOs in support
of integrated developmental programmes for the city becomes critical.
To support this initiative, it is important to establish a special
"Jerusalem Fund" where donors integrate their support
for the sustainable development of Palestinians living in East
Jerusalem.
Areas of support cover:
6.1 Development of infrastructure and services
support to Palestinian-based hospitals and other health facilities
such as Makassed, Augusta Victoria, St. John and Red Crescent
hospitals and princess Basma Center for Disabled Children.
6.2 Development and support of infrastructure
and service provision to non governmental non profit schools,
vocational training centres and colleges and Al-Quds University.
6.3 Development and support of youth sports
and cultural centres and activities especially in the Old City
of Jerusalem.
6.4 Development and support of a network
of citizen's rights and advice bureaus to help tax-paying individuals
in accessing their rights in the fields of health, education and
social welfare, building permits and protection from land confiscation,
illegal tax burden and denial of residency rights.
7. Supporting Development for Palestinian
Refugees in Lebanon
Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon have
been suffering from their unstable residency status, continuous
internal violence, external wars and the general instability of
the region. They are considered "foreigners" and accordingly
denied citizen's right to health, education and social services,
as well as to unrestricted movement.
Malnutrition, chronic illnesses and psychological
distress are among other indicators of poor health situation that
have continued to exist ever since these refuges were displaced
in 1948.
High illiteracy rate, low educational achievement,
and high school drop-out rates are among the indicators of poor
quality services that characterize the status of the Palestinian
education in Lebanon. The secondary school level has been recently
added to UNRWA run schools. University education is yet not available.
Palestinians in Lebanon are formally blocked
from participating in most of the better employment sectors and
are required to obtain permits to be allowed to work in menial
labour. They live in lowest income brackets and comprise the highest
rate of social hardship.
Palestinian suffering caused by the poor socioeconomic
conditions during the past two months of the Israeli war against
Lebanon has been stretched to the limit.
In the light of the above, the following interventions
are recommended priorities for UK aid:
7.1 Development of Vocational and Technical
Education to serve youth, and women. Partnership with UNRWA to
use its centre for afternoon continued short term courses or expansion
of its programmes will ensure better optimization of resources,
quality services, reduction in cost, integration of efforts and
higher impact. The programme entails training of trainers, preparation
of training material, purchasing of equipment and supporting IT
system.
7.2 Development of early childhood education
through replicating the successful experiences and expanding KGs.
This also requires training of trainers and continuous upgrading
of curricula.
7.3 Establishment of "Student Fund"
to give loans to the poor and award exemplary school graduates
the opportunity to enrol in regional and international higher
education institutions.
7.4 Development of non-profit facilities
and hospitals to provide refugees with primary and secondary health
care. Partnership with UNRWA will ensure higher impact.
7.5 Development of micro credit and micro
finance schemes as described in intervention number 3.
8. Preservation of Culture and heritage
Palestine is well known to have the most significant
Christian and Islamic heritage. Such sites are located in the
vicinity of Jerusalem, Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, Jericho, Bethlehem
and numerous other cities. Some of the old historic sites are
still inhabited by people. Restoration of these sites is of paramount
importance. Tourists and pilgrims from all over the world visit
Palestine to see, worship, appreciate, remember and enjoy the
art, culture, history and holiness of these sites.
DEVELOPMENTAL PRIORITIES
THAT FALL
UNDER PRESERVATION
INCLUDE
8.1 Development of short-term courses or
modules to train contractors, engineers and skilled labourers
on relevant techniques (restoration, handicrafts, and materials
used in restoration).
8.2 Development of data bases for documentation
purposes.
8.3 Development of awareness programs on
preservations of historic sites (including software production
and IT related media)
8.4 Development of capacity of institutions
working in the field of preservation, (including faculties of
Engineering and Art).
8.5 Development of tourism related education
programs (Guides, media, etc).
October 2006
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