Emergency shelter assistance to vulnerable HH affected by natural or manmade disaster in the West Bank The proposed action will mitigate the vulnerability to forcible displacement of demolition-affected households by sustaining a systematic demolition response mechanism. The project scope will encompass demolitions caused by winter-related natural hazards, but also man-made demolitions. Throughout this proposal “demolition” will thus refer to major damage resulting from both hazards. 

Following OCHA alerts, and based on the needs identified through in-depth assessments, beneficiaries will receive rapid cash or material assistance to cover their most critical shelter, WASH and livelihoods needs arising from demolitions. This will mitigate the worst impact of winter-related risks on households losing their shelter, or critical weather-sensitive WASH and livelihoods assets and NFIs. The proposed project will establish a systematic response mechanism, implying that all incidents leading to humanitarian needs will be responded to. Beneficiary selection among eligible households will only be resorted to in case of insufficient financial resources. In this situation, beneficiary with critical shelter needs or high displacement risk will be prioritized over eligible individuals with livelihoods or WASH needs.
Based on the Concept Paper “Emergency shelter assistance to vulnerable HH affected by natural disaster in Area C of West Bank”, the proposed project will also include man-made demolitions as their consequences in terms of exposure to harsh weather, shelter vulnerabilities and humanitarian needs are similar in winter time. The Project will thus bridge a funding gap in the demolition response mechanism caused by an exceptional and unforeseeable response volume linked to a 50% upsurge in demolitions in 2016 compared to the previous year. This will foster cost-efficiency and value for money, as a significant fraction of necessary support and salary costs are already covered through other projects. Cost efficiency will be further compounded by rigorous open tender procurement procedures, guaranteeing optimal value for money.

As such, the project will strongly contribute to HRP objectives: 1. The rights of Palestinians under occupation are protected in accordance with IHL/IHRL 2. Ensure acutely-vulnerable Palestinians under occupation in Gaza and the West Bank have access to essential services 3. Strengthen the ability of acutely-vulnerable Palestinian HH to cope with protracted threats amp shocks. The Project further contributes to Shelter Cluster objectives (2. Emergency amp transitional shelter response 3. Contingency planning amp preparedness measures) and cross-cutting themes (1. Accountability to affected populations 2. Protection 3. Gender). In addition, the project will incidentally contribute to protection cluster key result 2 (the effects of the occupation and conflict-related violence are prevented and mitigated), FSS key result 1 (the resilience and productive capacity of vulnerable households are restored / enhanced and livelihoods protected) and WASH key result 2 (strengthen WASH response capacity to cope with new and protracted emergencies, threats and shocks).