Action by Churches Together - Evaluation of ACT Appeal Gaza Crisis - MEPL81

The Occupied Palestinian Territories have always been a challenging environment for humanitarian operations with its chronic emergency, extensive movement and access impediments and fluidity in security. The last 18 months have been particularly difficult for humanitarian organisations providing assistance to the residents of the OPT, particularly those living in the Gaza Strip. Given this operational context and the only recent formation of the ACT Palestine Forum (APF), the ACT Alliance performed admirably in the OPT in 2008 and 2009.

The ACT Gaza Crisis Appeal MEPL81 was initially developed as the first combined effort of the APF to address the increasing humanitarian suffering due to the blockade and siege of Gaza. Increasing poverty, unemployment and shortages of essential basic supplies were causing widespread health and social problems. The two appeal revisions significantly expanded and refined the scope of MEPL81 to address the outbreak of war in December 2008 and the changing needs following the active conflict.