Citizen Cooperation facing COVID-19

The situation in Gaza Strip can be described as one of chronic need, de-development, and donor dependency, as 80% of the Gaza Strip's population depends on humanitarian aid for its basic needs1 58% depends on food assistance, and 24% depends on cash assistance2
. With an unemployment rate of 49%3 and severe movement and trade restrictions imposed on the Gaza Strip negatively affecting the population’s food security and livelihoods, prospects of making sustainable income have become increasingly slim. Families are unable to meet basic needs, leading to negative coping strategies such
as reduced food intake, selling productive assets, or compromising expenditure on basic needs. The lack of income opportunities compounded with the weak economic situation also leads to high levels of food insecurity where 68% of HHs are suffering from moderate or severe food insecurity. This reduction in payments to Gaza has resulted in a severe liquidity squeeze for around 80,000 families (almost one-quarter of Gazans) negatively impacting spending and hence,
economic activity. Amid these existing challenges, there are new threats to food security for many of Gaza’s residents due to the cuts in funding.
While the economic and social situation in Gaza has been deteriorating, greater focus has been shifting on addressing the basic needs of disadvantaged households (HHs) with for example food aid. In addition, the unstable political situation has drawn organizations’ attention to ways to deliver aid rapidly and on a large scale.
This proposal comes in response to the humanitarian needs in Gaza, to carry out cash interventions using the approaches of e-cash programming to support Gazans’ food security and to enhance emergency preparation actions. They are vouchers to help vulnerable families, who have been affected by the difficult situation due to COVID 19 pandemic.