Norwegian Church Aid in Palestine
- Presence established: 1996 (Also supported in 1954-1985, 1992)
- Funds used in 2022: 17.9 million NOK
Our work in Palestine focuses on four topics: Gender-Based Violence; Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; Peacebulding; and Climate Smart Economic Empowerment.
Since October 7th this year, the conflict in Israel and Palestine has escalated. We are now distributing emergency aid to the residents of Gaza who have fled their homes. Read more here. |
The ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, has left 2.4 million Palestinians in need of humanitarian assistance, with almost 80% of these living in Gaza. The water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) situation in Gaza is precarious and compounded by lack of government regulation, limited electricity supply and the blockade which bans the import of essential materials. This leaves households with poor access to water for domestic and agriculture purposes and decreases communities’ resilience. Many young Palestinian women and men have difficulties finding decent work, with women especially vulnerable due to traditional norms excluding them from economic resources and opportunities. The ability of Palestinians toparticipate in decision making, and hold decision makers accountable, is adversely affected by impunity from both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, along with Israeli authorities’ constructing illegal settlements, demolishing Palestinian housing and confiscating Palestinian property. Space for Palestinian, Israeli and international NGOs to operate is also diminishing.
NCA has responded to the needs of Palestinians since the early 1950s. A formal presence was established in 2006, and in 2016 NCA merged with its ACT Alliance sister organisation in Palestine, DanChurchAid (DCA), establishing a joint country programme (JCP). This cooperation model fosters synergies between the agencies, increases effectiveness, and builds stronger partnerships with civil society. NCA/DCA partners with local civil society in Palestine, including faith-based organisations, as they are rooted in and benefit from a high level of legitimacy in the community and ensure outreach to the most vulnerable. Partnering with and strengthening civil society actors is key to sustainable development in Palestine.
NCA/DCA works with local partners to save lives, build resilient communities, and fight inequality in order to build a peaceful Palestine. Together with its partners, NCA/DCA implements humanitarian response and long-term development programmes in the following sectors:
NCA/DCA responds to the protracted crisis in Palestine by providing assistance and protection to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and ensuring access to health, WASH and nutrition for vulnerable populations.
Together with partners, NCA/DCA works with vulnerable communities to strengthen their resilience. This is achieved through creating employment opportunities, vocational education and enterprise development.
NCA has implemented its programmes in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The interventions prioritise the needs of school children, vulnerable communities, vocational training students and poor and unemployed women.
