Against the backdrop of decades Israeli military occupation, recurrent hostilities, and internal political divides, the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) faces multi-faceted challenges that have both compounded into and continue to deepen a political and humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian need in the oPt has been further exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip in 2021. REACH began working in the oPt in 2016, supporting the Shelter Cluster in evaluating the outcomes and impact of the provision of emergency, transitional, and permanent shelter assistance in response to the 2014 conflict in Gaza. Since 2021, REACH has been assisting the humanitarian response more broadly, conducting the oPt’s first Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA), which served to inform the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

Humanitarian actors have mobilized to support the Gaza population to face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, which is driven by:

1. Conflict and displacement: As of October 14th 2024, approximately 90% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced. Public infrastructure, housing, and farmlands have been severely damaged, with long-term risks from unexploded devices.
2. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions: Displacement sites are overcrowded and unsanitary, exacerbating malnutrition and disease. Priority needs include food, water, and hygiene items, yet many lack access to sufficient aid.
3. Food insecurity: November 2024, the Famine Review Committee has expressed concern about an imminent and substantial likelihood of famine occurring, in particular in areas of the northern Gaza strip.
4. Access constraints: Operational and safety issues continue to make face-to-face data collection difficult and to hinder the delivery of aid to address the full range of needs.

How IMPACT is supporting humanitarian decision making

IMPACT teams are supporting humanitarian actors and coordination platforms operating in Gaza with need-analysis and information management. Through our support we help humanitarian actors to respond to three key questions: Where are people in need? What are the needs? How to best respond?