Preliminary Emergency Appeal

Occupied Palestine Territory (opt): West

Bank &Gaza Crises

Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS)


Emergency Appeal operation startup date:
14.07.2014
Appeal Time Frame: 6 months
Appeal Budget: 14,570,915 USD
No. of people to be assisted: 316,700 persons.
Host National Society: Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), founded in 1968,
is mandated by the Palestinian Authority to provide National Ambulance and Pre-
Hospital Emergency Medical Services in oPt and Health Service in the Diaspora.
The PRCS is a full member of the International Movement of the Red Cross and
Red Crescent and is adhering to its Fundamental Principles.
This Preliminary Emergency Appeal seeks (14,570,915 USD) to enable the
Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) respond to some immediate and medium
term effect on population of oPt following the Conflict and clashes between Israel
and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

The planned response reflects on general assessment and information currently
available. The plan might be adjusted based on further developments and detailed
assessment.


A. The Context
After the outbreak in 2000 of the second Intifada, the population in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip has experienced a constant deterioration of the economic, humanitarian, security, and
political situation in the oPt, leading to an increased growing rate of unemployment among
population and a constant fight against poverty, thus leaving communities completely dependent
on external aid, and in some areas on the brink of starvation.
While the Gaza Strip is totally under siege and almost completely isolated from the rest of the
world, the people of the West Bank is facing ever-growing problems with their life, as movement
restrictions imposed on them through a travel permit system, and roadblocks and checkpoints
create huge obstacles for social and economical normal development.
Thus, in the West Bank, movement restrictions for the entire population and the separation wall
are leaving the Palestinian Government and the population in general with few alternatives. The
continuation of building the separation wall and the increasing number of settlements are
leading to more land fragmentation on West Bank. At the same time the raise of settlers
violation against the Palestinian civil population as well as the alarming escalation of house
destruction in the area C precede a higher deterioration in the Palestinian humanitarian
challenges particularly among the most vulnerable. .
The situation is more acute in Gaza Strip, where the economy has almost completely collapsed,
with more than 80 per cent of the population dependent on financial or other kind of support, this
supports includes RCRC Movement, United Nations agencies and other few international
organizations still being able to operate under the tight blockade of the area. The situation is
causing a shortage of all possible commodities. With very limited import of fuel, spare parts,
building material, or even the most basic goods, the people in Gaza and the humanitarian actors
are struggled to cope with the huge challenges while international concern for the short and
long-term consequences is growing rapidly.
In the frame of the current situation, the Palestine Red Crescent (PRCS) is urged to respond to
the most urgent and long-lasting needs of the Palestinians communities with provision of many
emergency and social programs. Nevertheless, the adverse conditions posed by the social,
political and economical context, are not enabling the PRCS to mobilize locally the necessary
economical resources to carry out its every day increasing demand of humanitarian programs
and therefore the PRCS is forced to be dependent on financial support from its many RCRC
and external partners.

B. Situation Analysis
The latest escalation came as a result of the increase of the settlers violation against
the Civil Palestinian population, the killing of the two Palestinian youths on first of May,
the hunger strike of the detainees, and the last Israelis occupation power military mass
operation on West Bank on 13
th
of June after the disappearance of the three settlers
as well as the burning and killing of the Palestinian boy in Jerusalem by the settlers.
Accordingly the Israeli Government launched a huge military operation on the whole of
West Bank especially in Hebron and announced closure of the Gaza Strip which led to
tense confrontation between civil Palestinian and occupation forces. By the time of
writing the appeal clashes are ongoing in different parts of West Bank which has more
intensity in Hebron, Jerusalem, Ramallah where 14 Palestinians were killed, more
than 1700 injured, and around 1000 arrested.
On July 7
th
2014, the Israeli army launched a large military operation in the Gaza Strip,
codenamed Protective Edge.


As of 14 of July, more than 173 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the operation began,
among them women and children and more than 1150 injuries. According to OCHA
70% of the affected are civilians with 30% being children.
More than 4,500 people have been displaced in Gaza following the ongoing massive
house destruction which is estimated at more than 800 houses. However, this figure is
expected to increase as the military operation continues. The house destruction has
been attributed as the main cause of civilian casualties and deaths. Social
infrastructure has also been widely affected including destruction of health facilities,
schools, sewage system and power plants.
The last announcement by the Israeli occupation army regarding the ground military
operation will lead to more killing, injuries and displaced people.
The PRCS has suffered destruction through its infrastructure, ambulances as well as
staff and volunteers injured in cause of duty.The PRCS therefore seeks funds to
enable it respond to affected population needs both current and emerging.










C. The Disaster
West Bank figures from 13
th
June 2014
No. killed
14
No. injured
1700
No. families
evacuated
30

Gaza figures from 7
th
July 2014
No. Killed
173
More than
1150
injured


More than
800 houses
affected
totally or
partially


Settlers violation
24 cases


Violation against PRCS
25 violations including branch
destruction in Jabaliya, staff and
volunteer injuries and damage to
ambulances






D. The Response
Since 13
th
of June, PRCS activated the operation rooms in Gaza Strip and West Bank in
Hebron, Jerusalem and the Central operation room in Ramallah. All PRCS teams from
emergency medical services, disaster management, volunteers, hospitals, psychosocial,
rehabilitation and PHC staff were also activated. The first priority of PRCS is aimed at ensuring
the EMS is ready to respond with ambulances, staff and volunteers with first aid background.
The second priority is to make sure the hospitals and PHC centers are ready and equipped with
medicines, disposables and surgical instruments in order to provide the backup for MOH. The
Ministry of Health hospitals are first line facilities that receive casualties, with PRCS hospitals in
Gaza and Khan Younis providing back up as well as assist with needed diagnostic services.
ICRC has supported the MOH hospitals with 4 weapon wounded kits. With an increased
number of injured people, PRCS facilities have started receiving cases referred for further
management.
The National Response Disaster Team (NRDT) and DM volunteers were mobilized for providing
relief assistance, other departments were also activated e.g. logistics, maintenance,
administration and finance. More than 700 volunteers and 1000 plus staff were mobilized and
involved in response to the immediate needs of the affected people.122 ambulances were
activated both in Gaza and West Bank; although due to shelling in Gaza Strip, 5 ambulances
were damaged and not functional. Despite the drawback, the PRCS continued with its effort to
evacuate the injured and the dead from the destroyed buildings. Some of the damaged
ambulances will require full maintenance, although spare parts are not readily available in Gaza
Strip, while some will need to be replaced completely.
PRCS continue to provide pre-hospital services to most of the injured and killed as well as
PRCS hospitals and PHC centers providing services to the affected. PRCS provided shelter and
Non-food items (NFIs) to 4 families in West Bank while in Gaza Strip joint assessment is
ongoing despite the difficulties to conduct comprehensive assessment due to shelling.
Response and distribution when possible will be conducted with ICRC support. The
management team in Ramallah continued to support the Ops room through coordination with
partners and other actors.
Since 7
th
of July, the PRCS operation rooms have been operating on 24/7 basis with daily
bulletin on the evolving situation and its response. Thus frequent Operational Updates are
shared with partners. Since the emergency started, PRCS have and continue to conduct
assessments of the current conditions of the population and the evolution of the emergency.
Changes and revision to the preliminary appeal is therefore expected depending on new needs
identified. DREF through IFRC was launched on 14
th
July 2014. The estimated amount is
227,000 CHF for 3 months. The DREF seeks to support the immediate pressing needs of
medical assistance.

It is important to mention that coordination is taking place with Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) in
regards of in-kind donations of medical supplies, food items and nonfood items coming through
the Rafah border.







Expected scenarios:

Scenario Impact PRCS Action ICRC & IFRC action PNS Action
1. Mass casualties and
homeless or affected
people due to fully or
partially damagedhomes
and military operations
- Increased load on
existing health structures
including PRCS
hospitals.
- Difficulty treating
/coordinating the massive
influx of injured.
- Homeless people without
any possibility to provide
relief itemsdue to unsafe
situation for staff.
- Homes were partially
damaged without
assistance.
- Shortage of safe water.
- Communication cut off.
- Plans and budget for
early recovery and post
crisis rehabilitation
programs.

- PRCS launched Emergency
appeal to ensure and
contribute in enabling
Palestinians to obtain
humanitarian health and
relief assistance and
services.
- PRCS is calling for its sister
Red Cross and Red
Crescent societies and for
other health providers
around the world to send
health teams into the Gaza
Strip; PRCS urges war
surgeons, neurovascular
surgeons, and trauma
surgeons, as well as ICU,
anesthetic and Operation
Theater nurses to join the
health teams in Gaza.
- Ensure the readiness of the
logistic system of PRCS.
- Provide relief items.
- Plans and budget for early
recovery and post crisis
rehabilitation programs.

- Carry out their
responsibilities
through using their
good offices to
facilitate/ provide
needed
humanitarian
assistance and
protection for
civilians.
- ICRC should
strengthen
coordination to
ensure effective
evacuation of the
injured.
- IFRC should alert
the ERUs for
urgent
deployment.
- Secure the fund
for PRCS
Emergency
appeal.
- Support PRCS
with relief items
needed.
- Alert medical
volunteers and staff to
support health
facilities in Gaza.
- Support PRCS
emergency appeal.
- Plans and budget for
early recovery and
post crisis
rehabilitation
programs.

2. Displaced People:
According to Israeli
declarations, military
ground operations are
- Large number of
population near the Gaza
Strip border areas
without shelter, medical
care, safe water and
- Alert Health and
water/Sanitation ERUs for
possible rapid deployment
to boarder areas.

- ICRC should
coordinate for
getting the goods
and personnel to
Gaza.
- Alert and
deployHealth,
water/Sanitation, and
relief ERUs according
to needs.
expected to take place
soon; this will lead to
massive population
movement to the Gaza
Strip borders.
sanitation sources.
- Difficulty coordinating the
massive influx of
assistance from different
organizations and
individuals.
- Increased burden on the
economy of border areas.
- Shortage of safe water.
- Communication cut off.



- In coordination with ICRC
conduct tracing and
restoring family links.
- Ensure the readiness of the
logistic system of PRCS.
- Plans and budget for early
recovery and post crisis
rehabilitation programs.

- Provide
emergency shelter
and camp
management
- Mobilize ICRC
support and
resources
- Mobilize
emergency
response units
(field hospitals,
health services,
including psp,
water and
sanitation, relief) to
be deployed upon
the request of
PRCS.
- IFRC Logistic unit
in Dubai to be
prepared for
deployment and
provide needed
relief items.
- Plans and budget
for early recovery
and post crisis
rehabilitation
programs.
- Support PRCS
emergency appeal.
- Plans and budget for
early recovery and
post crisis
rehabilitation
programs.






E. Operational Strategy and plan
With ongoing conflict in Gaza it has been very difficult to conduct assessments, the initial
assessments are information received through different sources including;
- PRCS staff and volunteers involved in the response
- PRCS stock update
- PRCS/ICRC assessments and updates
- OCHA and UNRWA updates
- MOH and other partners assessments
- Needs assessment by different PRCS services
Following the initial needs assessment by the different services the following areas were
identified for interventions and support taking into consideration that the MOH and WHO
launched a Joint preliminary emergency appeal with amount of 40 million USD.
PRCS operation focuses on the immediate needs of the wounded and people directly
affected by the clashes, conflict and military actions and families and individuals whose
houses and livelihoods have been directly affected in West Bank and Gaza Strip.
a. Emergency stocks of essential drugs and disposable, together with emergency
surgical kits, both for PRCS health facilities and to support other health providers
mainly MoH.
b. Continuation of provision of Emergency Medical Services by PRCS both to direct
victims of the hostilities, and to chronic patients who are impeded under
hostilities to access lifesaving health care. Additional ambulances are needed to
extend coverage under present clashes and hostilities and replace damaged
ones. Spare parts for existing ambulances are also needed.
c. Basic non-food items such as blankets, heaters, hygiene kits, mattresses, for the
families whose houses have been damaged or destroyed.
d. Emergency psycho social support to victims of the conflict, especially children of
the affected families, building on the extensive work by PRCS in the domain and
according to PRCS specific contingency plan
e. Reinforcing existing capacities in logistics to ensure a sustained flow of goods
and aid inside Gaza and from outside Gaza
f. Emergency renovation of PRCS damaged premises.

As for the long-term needs, they will be assessed and in cooperated in the revised
emergency appeal since the situation is still evolving and not predictable.

Sector Needs assessment Beneficiary selection
Health The hospitals and basic health care
are overstretched as the result in
number of people injured. This has
resulted in diversion of routine
supplies to the emergency. Most
affected are the medicaments,
disposable supplies, surgical
supplies. Additionally some
equipments will need to be replaced
or procured to better respond to the
medium term effect on the health of
the population.
The National Society
envisages to target up to
30,000 with its hospital and
PHC health care including
patients with chronic disease
DM As consequences of massive house
destruction through military operation
has led to either total destruction or
partial and displacement of people.
The call for evacuation of the areas
continues as such more destructions
are expected. The PRCS plans to
support in provision of shelter and
NFIs to the affected population.
The DM service plan to reach
50,000 persons
PSP The PRCS staff and volunteers who
have been working round the clock
providing services and going through
the daily psychological trauma will
require debriefing and long term
support through psychosocial support
groups. The population including
children at large has been exposed
through continuous bombardment and
has witnessed close relatives either
injured or died will need psychosocial
support. This will require re-
orientation of the PSP activities in the
6 months period to focus on stress
management.
The PRCS plans to debrief
staff/volunteers involved.
Train staff/volunteers on PSS
and support the staff through
psychosocial support groups.
The PSP envisages covering
at least 25,000 people
concerning PSS
activities/training.
Management support For the successful implementation of
the operation the PRCS activated its
staff and volunteers who are working
long hours and will require salary and
incentives. Additionally the logistic
and finance departments were
activated to support the operation.
Management costs to run the
operation is expected to be covered
under the appeal.
1,700 persons (staff and
volunteers) will benefit.
EMS Providing emergency medical and
relief services is considered as
bedrock for the PRCS since its
inception. The PRCS undertake this
service through a national 101
telephone number. Throughout the
emergency phase only PRCS
ambulances could be seen providing
60,000 persons will benefit
from the service
the evacuation to the injured and
removal of dead bodies. Despite this
important service to the affected
population PRCS was victim of the
Israel airstrike whereby 5 of its
ambulances were damaged through
the shelling.
Infrastructure The PRCS experienced damage to its
branch in Jabaliya which also
damaged office equipments and
furniture
PRCS plans to renovate and
equip the damaged branch in
Jabaliya.
150,000 persons will benefit
from the service

Overall objective:
Health risks of affected population are reduced and the resilience of the community to disaster
is increased both in West bank and Gaza strip.
Proposed strategy:
Further to addressing the immediate needs through the DREF the PRCS would like to be
prepared to respond to the medium term needs of the affected population. The strategy is aimed
at reducing the population suffering during and aftermath of the conflict/clashes and military
operation.
The preliminary appeal will be a live document; changes are expected as detailed assessments
are conducted. The appeal will cover the needs identified in West Bank and Gaza strip.

Operational support services
Human resources
The PRCS has deployed 700 volunteers that will be running the operation together with 1,000
technical staff from Disaster Management, Logistic and Health.
Logistics and supply chain

Logistic support to the intervention will be provided following PRCS procedures to source and
procure relief items and medicines and to ensure the efficient and timely delivery to the
hospitals and primary health centres.

Information technologies (IT)
The cost of communications is included in the running cost of the operation.

Communications
Information on the operation will be done in coordination with the IFRC, ICRC and Movement
partners in order to highlight the response to the humanitarian needs and the evolving and
emerging humanitarian concerns. The current operation contemplates the development of
frequent operational updates, press releases and beneficiary stories.

Security
In order to undertake the planned activities the PRCS will coordinate with ICRC and evaluate
evolving security situation as well as in terms of coordination.

Planning, monitoring, evaluation, & reporting (PMER)
PMER will be crucial to the delivery of the planned operation to ensure evidence-based
reporting, upholding accountability and compliance with the established standards. In this
regards monitoring is required regularly to track the effects and impact of response actions,
track progress of activities and the delivery of outputs.

The PRCS will conduct regular field visits to the target locations for monitoring purposes given
that mobilization table and appeal updates/reports will be shared regularly.

Administration and Finance
The PRCS will be responsible for managing the funds in the opt in accordance with its policies
and procedures. This will be based on the requirements and justifications specified in the letter
of agreement to be signed between PRCS and its partners for the implementation of the appeal.
Proper administration and finance staff is foreseen under this appeal in order to support the
financial recording and reporting.






F. Detailed Operational Plan
Proposed sector intervention
Sector: Hospital and basic health care

Outcome 1:The medium term risks to health of affected population is reduced

Output 1.Medical, surgical materials, equipments and disposable supplies are delivered in time
and in sufficient quantities to the hospitals and PHC centers.

Activities planned:
- Stocks are replenished and maintained
- Purchase medical equipments and supplies

Sector: EMS
Outcome 2: Readiness to respond timely, appropriately and safely to affected injured people
Output 2.1 Resource mobilized for the emergency response and service provision.
Output 2.2 EMS able to provide 24/7 service through its main established stations and sub
stations in West Bank and Gaza strip
Activities planned:
- Mobilize over 1,700 staff and volunteers to provide evacuation and first aid services
- Ensure adequate fuel, maintenance of ambulances in involved in the operation
- Replace the damaged ambulances and procure additional to maintain and increase the
PRCS capacity to respond to emergencies.

Sector: DM
Outcome 3: Target population resilience to disaster is enhanced
Output 3.1 Affected population receive NFIs
Output 3.2 Households whose houses are destroyed or damaged are provided with emergency
temporary shelter
Activities planned:
- Purchase and distribution of nonfood items
- Distribution of household kits

Sector: PSP
Outcome 4: Families affected by the war, in particular those who have lost family members
and/or are the most vulnerable, have access to Psycho social support, and PRCS volunteers
and staff are supported in their humanitarian action
Output 4.1 The affected persons receive psycho social support according to their needs
Output 4.2 PRCS volunteers and staff can access quality psycho social support
Activities planned:
- Provide PSP to families affected by the war
- Provide additional psychosocial training to PRCS staff and volunteers.
- Provide Psychological Support to staff and volunteers of PRCS engaged in emergency
response.
- An emotional debriefing is organized for staff and volunteers of PRCS after the
emergency phase.


Coordination and Partnerships:
The escalation of Gaza crises, has prompted a large-scale humanitarian needs coupled with
ongoing clashes in different parts of opt. The movement partners with their presence in
Palestine have been pivotal in assisting the National Society respond to challenges and
recurrent emergencies that they often have to face. Drawing from lessons learnt from previous
emergencies of 2008/2009 and the 2012 the National society is better prepared for response to
the current disaster.

For the current emergency, the ICRC has been jointly with the National Society conducting
assessment whenever possible. Besides the movement coordination the PRCS is actively
involved in meetings with other humanitarian actors in Palestine such as MOH, UNOCHA,
UNRWA and WHOetc
The PRCS has and is coordinating its response with movement partners as well as other
partners specifically MOH/WHO on health issues, Palestine Civil defence on search and rescue
efforts and evacuation of the affected.

Budget:
6-Months Needs
Item Description Total Cost USD
Medicines and Disposables 3,286,678
Equipment 3,320,000
Relief and shelter 4,642,039
Renovation 300,000
Sub-total 11,548,717
Fuel and spare parts 600,000
Sub-total 600,000
Management and Coordination 100,000
Sub-total 100,000
Local Personnel 800,000
Sub-Total 800,000
Running Cost 60,000
Sub-Total 60,000
Communication equipment cost 300,000
Sub-Total 300,000
Rehabilitation 208,960
Sub-Total 208,960
Administration cost 7% 953,237
TOTAL DIRECT COST 14,570,915


Contact

For more information and contributions please contact:
Dr Khaled Joudeh, Director General, PRCS: phone: +972 22406515/6/7, Fax: +972 2
2402108,Mobile: +972 599601123. email: joudehk@palestinercs.org
Dr WaelQedan, Director health services, PRCS, phone: +972 22406515/6/7, Fax:+972 2
2402108, Mobile: +972599251133, email: wael@palestinercs.org
Tanya Shawar, Head of PR & International Cooperation, PRCS: phone: +972 22406515/6/7,
Fax: +9722 2402108, Mobile: +972 599254604, email: tanya@palestinercs.org