Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 2: Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies (33IC/19/R2) – The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)

Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

The commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Policy
Operational plan

At the International, Regional, National, Local level

Explanation:

Strategy and policy: PRCS has policies and strategies at the DRM that align with the commitments. These are in accordance with the International Federation IFRC but need further development and improvement based on the Palestinian context.

Operational plan / Roadmap: PRCS has a comprehensive operational plan that is actively implemented, especially in emergency situations. This plan is regularly updated.

Legislation (e.g., Law, Regulation, Statutes, Rules of Procedure, etc.): PRCS has established laws and executive procedures that are tailored to our operational contexts, covering all phases of disaster management from preparedness and readiness to recovery. Mainly all of which are aligned with IFRC legislation, or some were adopted based on the Palestinian context or PRCS operational Plans. However, more advocacy is needed with the Authority to endorse the Disaster Law in country.

This has been done through:
o International Level: DRM utilize tools from the International Federation, such as the National Society Preparedness and Response Mechanism, the Safer Access Framework, the Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) approach, and the Forecast-based Financing (FbF) approach. There is a need to develop an early action protocol for cold waves. PRCS also with the support of its Movement partners managed to conduct a study on CVA with a draft working modality, but yet needed to be implemented.
o National Level: DRM collaborate with the National Disaster Risk Management Center (PALDRM) in Palestine as a governmental body. We contribute to policy development and review the Sendai Framework to align with the interventions of the (PRCS). Additionally, we engage with the Higher Council for Civil Defense, where PRCS is part of the technical committee formed to discuss local laws related to disaster management, and to establish national vision, policy, objectives, and operational plans.
o International Coordination: We work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through agreements, project implementation, and Memoranda of Understanding for coordination in emergencies situation, including logistical coordination, team support, and assessment of demolition cases due to occupation. In addition, PRCS also contributes to Emergency responses internationally especially with PICA- Palestinian International Cooperation Agency.
o Regional Level: We follow the policies and tools of the IFRC and apply them within the context of PRCS. We also collaborate with the Disaster Management Advisory Group (DMAG) for regional coordination.
o Local Level: In the Risk Reduction and Climate Change Program, we conduct vulnerability and capacity assessments eVCAs in communities and engage in community participation to identify priorities and risks. This includes enhancing local capacities, providing guidelines for forming community-based risk reduction committees – CBDRRc, implementing mitigation projects, and conducting comprehensive environmental awareness programs. We also train community response teams and disaster teams at local levels on several aspects given that PRCS is among the Signatories of the Climate and Environment Charter.

Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

Partner with:
National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in your country
Government and/or public authorities
ICRC/IFRC
Other National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g. UN, NGOs etc.)
Academia
Other

Examples of cooperation:

National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in your country: Yes, we collaborate with several National Societies including the Turkish Red Crescent, Qatar Red Crescent, Spanish Red Cross, German Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross, Italian Red Cross, Swedish Red Cross, and Danish Red Cross on various projects.

Government and/or public authorities: Yes, we work closely with the government, including the National Disaster Risk Management Center and the Higher Council for Civil Defense, as well as other governmental institutions such as the Ministry of Health, Environmental and quality authority, water authority, municipal service councils, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PICA. Our international representation includes intervention and response efforts in disasters like the Pakistan floods, Turkey and Syria earthquakes, and Caribbean tsunamis. We also collaborate with NGOs on capacity-building, awareness, and other initiatives. This includes collaboration with local Governorates to collect geospatial data for Palestine, aimed at establishing a national geospatial database to determine capacities.

ICRC/IFRC: Yes, we partner with the IFRC through initiatives like the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and appeals for training and policy development, DMAG, ICRC especially in joint assessments and responses mainly for relief, coordination of access and delivery of goods; …etc
Other National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies: Yes, we have partnerships with the Canadian Red Cross, British Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent, and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) for joint projects and international disaster response initiatives.
Humanitarian and development partners (e.g., UN, NGOs, etc.): Yes, we collaborate with various humanitarian and development partners including UN agencies and NGOs such as the Shelter Cluster, Green Response working group, WASH Cluster, World Food Programme (WFP), (OCHA), World Health Organization (WHO), Palestine Humanitarian Fund (PHF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and ACTED as general humanitarian coordination.

Academia: Yes, we work with academic institutions like An-Najah National University and most other universities in country.

Other: Yes, we coordinate with emergency committees, local councils, and municipalities for effective disaster response and management to ensure a cohesive and effective local disaster response and management strategy.

Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

With challenges on:
Human resources
Funding constraints
Competing priorities
Lack of specific knowledge/expertise
Other

Details about challenges:

Human resources: There is a shortage of human resources, which means we cannot fully cover our organizational structure. This gap underscores the need for additional funding to hire more staff.

Funding constraints:

– The complexity of reporting requirements can be burdensome and time-consuming.
– Procurement processes are often complicated, making it difficult to acquire necessary supplies promptly.
– We must strictly follow donor policies, which includes meticulous tracking of finances and invoices.
– Many invoices need to be in English, requiring additional time and resources for translation.

Competing priorities: The priorities may shift based on current situations and donor policies, which can complicate the implementation of commitments.

Lack of specific knowledge/expertise: While we strive for knowledge exchange and to bring in necessary expertise, there are still gaps that need to be filled.

Other: Sometimes, the local specifications for tents do not meet our required standards, necessitating the procurement of these items from external sources, which can delay our response.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

Type of Impact:
Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened
Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient
Innovative tools/methodologies have been developed and are utilized
Partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been created or enhanced
Increase in mobilization of resources
Training and capacity of staff and volunteers has increased (for National Societies)

Details about the impact:

• Cooperation between Government/public authorities and National Society has been strengthened: The commitments have fostered a stronger partnership between PRCS and governmental and public authorities as well as with Movement Components, UN and international organizations. This enhanced collaboration has led to more effective disaster management and humanitarian response, reflecting our deep-rooted influence in Palestinian society.
• Programming and operations have become more effective and efficient: The PRCS has adapted its programming and operations to better meet current challenges.
• Innovative tools/methodologies have been developed and are utilized: We continuously develop and refine innovative tools and methodologies. By working with other humanitarian organizations, we ensure these tools meet evolving needs. We utilize global tools adapted to the Palestinian context, such as EVCA, WASH, and digital tools like GIS, NEAT+, Radar, eVCAs and ODK. For instance, our collaboration in developing and digitizing these tools enhances our disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
• Partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been created or enhanced: Our partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been significantly strengthened. By aligning with global standards and tools, we ensure our interventions in areas like food security and health and relief and shelter (NFI) are effective and contextually appropriate.
• Increase in mobilization of resources: The resolution has enabled us to mobilize more resources, ensuring we have the necessary funding and materials to support our operations and initiatives effectively especially in our operational programs and emergency responses via emergency appeal, call for support,….
• Training and capacity of staff and volunteers has increased (for National Societies): There has been a continuous effort to enhance the training and capacity of our staff and volunteers. This includes courses on preparedness, rapid assessment, and other critical areas, ensuring our teams are well-equipped to handle emergencies and implement effective interventions.

Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

Description of the impact:

• Community Participation (EVCA): The Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (EVCA) process has significantly impacted community engagement. This participatory approach helps in the formation of community committees and improves emergency response plans while ensuring ownership, sustainability and business continuity to our responses and programs.

• Committee Formation and Assessment: Establishing local committees (CBDRRc) has been crucial. These committees conduct first aid assessments and develop emergency plans, including rapid assessments of needs, distribution of food parcels, and setting up emergency shelters.

• Emergency Preparedness: Our initiatives have strengthened community capacities to respond to emergencies. For instance, by distributing food parcels and setting up shelters, we help maintain individual dignity and meet immediate needs.

• CBDRR Committees: We have established Disaster management rooms for CBDRR committees to operate and implemented mitigation projects. Community response teams are trained, and awareness programs are conducted to educate local populations about disaster preparedness and response. Also this will include environmental best practice and Climate change awareness.

• Advocacy: Through advocacy efforts, we raise awareness about the importance of disaster preparedness and the role of the community in emergency response. This includes promoting safe practices and community resilience. In addition, we enhance our efforts towards the adoption and enforcement of a disaster law in country via advocacy and HD

• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Addressing WASH needs is critical, especially in areas like Gaza. We construct latrines and manage waste disposal in affected areas ensuring that sanitation needs are met even under challenging circumstances.