Gaza Acute Crisis Joint Response

Information

Since October 2023, most of the Gaza population is living in multiple and ongoing forced displacement in degrading conditions with little to no means to support themselves and extreme lack of basic services required for survival. The brief ceasefire that brought some respite in early 2025 was short-lived.

On March 2, 2025, humanitarian aid and commercial supplies were blocked for almost 6 months, signifying the beginning of dramatically increased humanitarian needs. This led to famine that continues to spread despite minimal opening for commercial and aid supplies in August. Vital civilian infrastructure such as health facilities, education facilities, water and sanitation facilities, agricultural land and livestock production, as well as humanitarian workers have collapsed alongside basic services and conditions required for life.

Gaza’s population is surviving in desperate conditions. As a result of wholesale destruction by Israel, Gaza is experiencing multiple system collapse, including a public health emergency as malnutrition and WASH degradation are compounding health risks, while the extent of mental health distress is alarming. With the upcoming winter, the near total destruction of civilian infrastructure and a fragile ceasefire, the situation for the Palestinians in Gaza remains dire and will require multifaceted assistance to ensure survival. The current ceasefire is hoped to improve humanitarian access. The humanitarian community, including DRA partners, is ready to scale up.

The Joint Response

The Joint Response prioritizes the most urgent Health needs, including MHPSS, supported by complementary activities in Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs), and Protection. The activities will focus on the Middle Area and Khan Younis. Given the recent ceasefire and population movements, the consortium will maintain flexible to adjust operational locations as needs evolve.

The activities carried out under this Joint Response are the following:

• Health: 8 health facilities across Gaza will be supported and rehabilitated. 14,137 people will receive MHPSS by qualified psychologists through individual counselling, group sessions, case management and referrals to psychiatrists. 99,920 people will receive primary healthcare including referrals to secondary health care providers when needed. 11,642 children will receive community health care consultations
• Nutrition: 200 children admitted for Severe or Moderate Acute Malnutrition (SAM/MAM) will receive supplementary food assistance. 2 nutrition clinics will be established to provide treatment for SAM and MAM cases. 140 pregnant or lactated women admitted for SAM/MAM treatment will receive supplementary feeding. 4,000 internally displaced persons will be screened for under nutrition and will be provided with nutrition awareness- and education sessions.
• Water and Sanitation, and Hygiene: 4,080 will receive hygiene vouchers and kits. Mobile latrines, including handwashing facilities, will be installed or rehabilitated at 5 health/nutrition points, repairing or installing water networks and connections for 85,000 people. 50,000 internally displaced persons will have access to water trucking, with sufficient and safe water. 56,240 people will be reached with hygiene promotion and awareness activities.
• Protection: 80 unaccompanied and separated children will receive a case management approach, supported by 60 kinship families, addressing their mental health, protection, and essential basic needs. 7,800 children will receive tailored Child Protection services, including psychosocial support, individual and group counselling case management, and referrals to appropriate services.
• Shelter and Non-Food Items: 700 displaced children will receive good quality winter clothing kids.

The JR is planning to reach 225,013 people during this response, primarily focusing on internally displaced persons, unaccompanied and separated children, individuals with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, and households led by women, children or the elderly.