IBC RESPONSE TO GAZA CRISIS

Overview of Operations

IBC has been actively engaged in the field during critical times of need, demonstrating ammitment to supporting vulnerable populations. Over the past year, project activities have been implemented in shelters, with a total of 10 project employees who were replaced at least once to ensure the continuity of operations.

The local partner’s main office faced significant operational challenges, requiring relocation three times. Temporary offices were established within shelters to maintain functionality. One of these locations suffered damage due to airstrikes, further complicating the operational environment.

Logistical Achievements and Delays
Since January 26, IBC h dispatched 8 aid trucks loaded with essential supplies, including food parcels, hygiene kits, and women’s dignity kits. However, due to logistical and clearance challenges, all trucks experienced delays of over two weeks before reaching Gaza.

In particular, the hygiene kits had to be modified by removing items such as shaving kits and nail cutters, as these were deemed problematic due to their metallic content. Additionally, 15 aid trucks scheduled for delivery in 2024 have yet to gain clearance. These trucks contained critical supplies, such as a mobile kitchen, winterized items, fresh meat, hygiene kits, and food parcels.

Key Challenges in Aid Delivery
Several factors have hindered the timely delivery of aid:
1. Metallic Items Restrictions: The presence of metallic components in certain items, such as nail cutters and tarpaulins (due to metal strings), has resulted in extensive delays or outright refusal of clearance.
2. Dual-Use Concerns: Items with perceived potential for dual use have faced significant scrutiny, further delaying approvals.
3. Winterized Aid Delays: Despite the urgent need for winterized supplies in Gaza, a have prevented these items from reaching beneficiaries in time.

As a result, essential items like food parcels, hygiene kits, and tarpaulins are still awaiting clearance, impacting the ability to address urgent needs effectively. The delay in approving tarpaulins, in particular, has left beneficiaries without critical shelter materials, despite the high demand in Gaza.

Impact on Winter Operations
Winter-related operations have been heavily impacted by restrictions on approvals and the coordination process. These delays have significantly hindered IBC’s ability to deliver winterized supplies, which are crucial for protecting vulnerable populations during harsh weather conditions. The prolonged clearance processes have not only disrupted programs but also negatively affected the well-being of beneficiaries reliant on timely aid.

Conclusion
IBC continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in overcoming challenges in the field. However, the ongoing restrictions and delays in aid delivery highlight the need for enhanced coordination and streamlined approval processes to ensure timely and effective humanitarian responses. Addressing these barriers is critical to meeting the urgent needs of affected communities and minimizing the impact of operational challenges on beneficiaries.

Links:

• CONTINUING TO TOUCH LIVES IN GAZA

For the last two months and a half, International Blue Crescent (IBC) has been delivering an MHPSS project to support the resilience and mental health of the Gaza people who have been subject to an ongoing and destructive war for more than 10 months. The project has delivered so far 121 Psychological First Aid and Awareness Meetings to 1670 people; Peer Support Group meetings to 117 people; Psychological Interventions to 100 people who showed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms or other mental symptoms; and six meetings using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) exposure techniques to 41 cases.

The intervention has been carried out in Al Nuseirat Camp, Dair Al Balah Camp, and Al Mawasi–Khan Yonis.

During implementation, we have been faced with the following challenges:

-       Huge numbers of people in need of MHPSS interventions: Even before the increase in hostilities, at least half a million children in Gaza needed mental health and psychosocial support. Now, every child, parent, and caregiver in Gaza has experienced profoundly distressing events and trauma, characterized by extensive destruction and displacement.

-       Raise of Domestic Violence: With the war reaching its tenth month, humanitarian practitioners have observed a huge need for psychological support and psychotropic medication. Most people face traumatic events and still do every single minute. Their mental status affects their emotions and behaviors toward their families and with people around them which raises domestic violence.

-       Frontliners are exhausted: Frontliners who are under constant stress and burnout suffer from anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, emotional avoidance, and nightmares, all of which increase the risk of mental health issues, so they need intensive care to protect themselves and to motivate them to continue helping others.

-       Price Hikes: The uncontrolled changing of prices in local markets makes it hard to estimate the prices for needed equipment and supplies.

 IBC has been active in responding to the needs of the Gaza people since the beginning of the war and in this context, we managed to get aid cargo to Gaza regularly in the previous months, but with the escalation of the war in the Southern Governorate of Rafah three months back and the closure of the borders thereof, our operations towards Gaza have been halted.

We are now prepositioning in Cairo 1800 food parcels, 1800 hygiene packages, and big quantities of canned meat ready to be dispatched should the borders be re-opened again. The value of these relief items totals $585,000.

We join our efforts with other NGOs appealing for an immediate and lasting ceasefire that would enable the resumption and normal flow of aid to Gaza to save lives.   

Links:

• Americares Awards Emergency Funding for Mental Health Support