In March 2021, President Biden announced the resumption of assistance to the Palestinian people. Part of this assistance is through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support development, humanitarian and peacebuilding programs in the West Bank and Gaza.
USAID improves the lives of the Palestinian people to set conditions for a viable two-state solution. USAID provided over $110 million last year, more than $150 million this year and will provide nearly $270 million next year. Over just three years, USAID will provide an estimated $500 million in programming to support the Palestinian people.
In the first year of resumed assistance, USAID implemented over 45 projects in nine sectors. Notable accomplishments from the past year include:
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ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH
USAID’s private sector programs advance productivity and create an environment that attracts investment and allows Palestinian businesses to access domestic, regional, and international markets. Technical assistance and grants, market access initiatives, and other support help Palestinian businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, USAID supported 28 hotels and two handicraft cooperatives to resume operations and meet the increasing demand of travelers resulting from eased COVID-19 restrictions. Handicraft cooperative recovery plans provide export market access and increase income for 180 micro-sized Palestinian businesses.
This year, USAID signed 17 grants with small and medium enterprises and start-ups for recovery plans totaling over $900K. Recovery plans include support to replace and repair critical technologies and equipment to restart efficient operations.
“The current economic situation in the Gaza Strip is a major challenge. We thank the SMART Project team for providing opportunities for the tourism sector to be included in the project.”
Mona Al-Ghalayini, businesswoman and owner of the Roots Hotel in Gaza, and recipient of assistance through USAID's SMART project.
After two years of empty rooms and canceled events, the Retno hotel, which was a bustling hub for the Ramallah art scene, has already been able to rehire staff and book at full capacity ahead of the summer rush.
"Most of all, the recovery plan has given us hope. I’m so happy to see the staff back to work after such a long time.”
Nawaf Hamed, General Manager of the Retno Hotel, Ramallah.
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HEALTH AND COVID-19 RESPONSE
USAID improves access to essential and advanced health care services to Palestinians, including for the COVID-19 pandemic response. Through these programs, USAID provides personal protective equipment, infection prevention and hygiene kits, and other related services. As a result of these programs, USAID distributed nearly 14,000 personal hygiene kits to raise awareness on COVID-19 and 65,000 rapid diagnostic tests in addition to facilitating the delivery of over one million vaccine doses to the West Bank and Gaza through the COVAX global vaccine initiative.
“I feel better about maneuvering the pandemic now that El Amal Rehabilitation Society taught me how to manage symptoms, not transmit to others, and not to contract it [...] by taking the necessary preventative measures. This way I can continue playing tennis and improving my health overall.”
Wheelchair user and tennis player Mohammed, said after a home-based awareness session with USAID's local partner El Amal Rehabilitation Society - Rafah.
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YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
USAID increases opportunities for young people, including vulnerable and marginalized youth, and helps them effectively engage in their communities. USAID provides youth with needed psychosocial support, life skills, and leadership opportunities, as well as referrals to technical training and other support to build skills and generate income. USAID also constructed 15 classrooms which will accommodate over 1,500 additional students to supported schools.
“[These ToT trainings are] a key component of establishing an environment that fosters creative and critical thinking skills in youth. It also provides them with the opportunity to prepare, think, plan, and execute their community service initiatives, which in turn builds their personal skills, improves their creativity and enables them to make a positive impact within their communities.”
Bader Hudud, trainer.
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DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE
Civil society organizations - including community groups, faith groups, human rights defenders, journalists, and others - are critical for community development in the West Bank and Gaza. USAID provides capacity building and grants to civil society organizations to implement social and community development projects and improve government’s responsiveness to citizen needs. USAID also supports training and peer-to-peer learning opportunities in civil society organizations to increase the organizations’ effectiveness and advocacy.
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WATER AND SANITATION
USAID increases access to clean water and improves wastewater management in both the West Bank and Gaza. USAID increases household connections to safe drinking water, improves hygiene practices, and strengthens disaster preparedness. These efforts improve human health, environmental health, and quality of life for Palestinians in vulnerable communities. This year, USAID rehabilitated 27,000 meters of water pipes to improve water access for people living in the region.
“My children used to go a week or more without bathing because I would have to save the water for something else. Because of this project, I can now teach my children proper hygiene practices. My family’s hygiene situation has changed for the better, and they can spend more time playing, studying and doing what other children their age are doing. It’s the basic necessities in life that truly make the difference.”
Amal, whose house was connected to water networks for the first time in Beit Hanoun, Gaza
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VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
USAID supports the urgent needs of the most vulnerable populations in the West Bank and Gaza, including by providing critical food assistance, essential non-food items such as hygiene kits and medical supplies, and access to clean water and healthcare. USAID provides psychosocial support for conflict-affected children and economic opportunities to improve the quality of life of Palestinians.
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HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to people who need it most. In 2021, BHA supported four programs in West Bank and Gaza to provide assistance to the most vulnerable populations, including food vouchers, essential medical commodities, primary health and psychosocial support services, public health training in hospitals, child protection services, gender-based violence response and prevention, and multipurpose cash assistance to meet households’ immediate basic needs.
When [my wife] Ghorba gave birth to [our daughter] Layan, we found out that she has Thalassemia, and I was mostly worried that we wouldn’t be able to keep her safe. Since we started receiving the assistance, we managed to get iron-rich and nutritious food for Layan, and It's been [over 2 months] since Layan's last blood transfusion."
Sameh from Gaza, recipient of food assistance through electronic food vouchers.
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PEACEBUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
USAID supports Israelis and Palestinians to come together on issues of common concern to build trust and advance the conditions for peace. USAID and the State Department bring together individuals of different backgrounds in people-to-people peacebuilding activities.
Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM)
Current Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM) activities provide opportunities to over 12,000 Palestinians and Israelis to address issues, reconcile differences, and promote greater understanding and mutual trust by working on common goals such as economic development and cooperation, environment, health, education, sports, music, and information technology.
“I have been living with a cosmetic prosthesis which is not functional. There are other available options on the market, but most are oversensitive or very expensive.”
With teamwork at the heart of their effort, participants used their complementing skills to accomplish an important and impactful goal.
The Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA)
Congress enacted the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), to provide up to $250 million over five years to advance peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians to enable a sustainable two-state solution. MEPPA promotes economic cooperation, people-to-people peacebuilding programs, dialogue and reconciliation, and advances peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. In its first year, USAID awarded five grants for people-to-people activities; the first of more to come over the next five years.