Gaza Acute Crisis Joint Response

The ongoing crisis in Gaza has a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable households, especially those displaced by the destruction of their homes. Households struggling with food insecurity due to limited income are the primary focus. The risk of famine remains high. According to projections from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, more than 90% of Gaza’s population is likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity, with 344,800 people at risk of experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC 5). Among children aged 6 to 59 months, an estimated 60,000 cases of acute malnutrition, of which 12,000 severe cases, are expected between September 2024 and August 2025.

Multipurpose unconditional cash assistance (MPCA) is an important modality for the vulnerable household with cross sectoral needs. The current ceasefire offers opportunities for cash for work activities to rehabilitate community structures and infrastructure. Market assessments show that markets are partially functioning. Prices of necessities available have dropped and availability has increased since the ceasefire, and data indicates that MPCA plays a vital role in enabling households to purchase necessities, with 89.9% spending their cash on food, 50.5% on medicine, 47.1% on hygiene products, and 40.6% on water (SC’s PDM).

The status of Gaza’s healthcare system, already critically affected by siege and sustained attacks, has further deteriorated. On January 3rd, 2025, the WHO reported that 16 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals were partially operational and 20 are closed. With no hospital fully operational, an exhaustion of medical supplies and the restriction on their entry, many people have been unable to get medical care. Furthermore, Gaza’s 6 public community mental health centres and one inpatient psychiatric hospital are also not operational. With a high volume of returns likely to Gaza City, some priority needs to be given to medical assistance for acute trauma, support to primary and secondary healthcare services, and medical supplies.

Lastly, Gaza’s recent Protection Snapshot indicates that the recurring displacement of individuals has become a primary stressor for civilians, underscoring the necessity for mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) activities. In Gaza nearly all protection risks, monitored by the Protection Cluster, have reached the highest level of severity, including child and forced family separation, and gender-based violence (GBV). Access to lifesaving GBV response services is severely limited due to the collapse of the healthcare system and a lack of reporting mechanisms (UN Women). According to UNICEF, 1.2 million children need mental health and psycho-social support.

The joint response

Activities carried out under this Joint Response are the following:

• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Distribution of hygiene kits and dignity kits to 1,250 vulnerable families, with a focus on girls and young women. 90,000 individuals benefit from the restoration and repair of water supply infrastructure and pipeline and distribution of water jerrycans.
• Health: Minor rehabilitation of Juzoor’s mobile medical point in the Gaza city area. Mobile health clinics will provide mental health consultations for 4,080 individuals. Primary health care consultations for individuals including follow-up referrals to gender-based violence (GBV) services and other secondary care. Medical consultations specifically for children will target 7,200 children, including children living with disabilities.
• Food Security: Distribution of food parcels to the most vulnerable families, targeting 7,450 individuals.
• Multi-Purpose Cash: Provide Emergency Multi-Purpose Cash Access to the most vulnerable households to meet their immediate needs. Two rounds of unrestricted and unconditional cash (via e-transfer) will be provided for 550 households.
• Protection: MHPSS and a comprehensive and coherent package of protection services tailored to meet the diverse needs of affected individuals will be provided. The protection package includes the provision of case management services to assess and address individual risks and needs, as well as establishing referral pathways to ensure access to specialised services, such as medical care, legal assistance, and psycho-social support. Provision of Child Protection services tailored to the specific needs of 3200 children, including psycho-social support, individual and group counselling, case management, and referrals to appropriate services.

These interventions aim to target 197,255 individuals, primarily focusing on households struggling with food insecurity due to limited income, with particular attention to those at heightened risk of malnutrition. Special considerations are also made for individuals with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, and households led by women or children. The objective is to provide a gender-sensitive response that meets the direct needs of all affected communities.

Photo: Save the Children