ActionAid: Palestinian Volunteers are Backbone of Community Resilience and rays of Hope in Times of War and Crisis

Bethlehem – West Bank – ActionAid Palestine recently honored a group of Palestinian youth volunteers for their dedicated efforts throughout 2024. During the ceremony, certificates of appreciation and symbolic gifts were presented in recognition of their significant contributions to voluntary work. This recognition aims to promote volunteerism, raise awareness about its importance in strengthening community resilience, building trust, fostering creativity, and encouraging social solidarity, while also advocating for volunteerism in all its forms, both formal and informal.

During the Ceremony, the General Director of ActionAid Palestine, Jamil Sawalmeh, said: the volunteers who have worked with ActionAid Palestine this year and in previous years have implemented community initiatives in their local communities.

The initiatives varied, such as first aid training in areas exposed to settler violence and repeated attacks, as well as others related to distributing humanitarian aid in light of the difficult conditions the country is facing. The volunteers contributed to building the community by offering their time, ideas, and efforts without expecting anything in return. However, they gained many skills and experiences in the process."

Alaa Jaber, a volunteer from Hebron, highlighted the importance of volunteering, and skills volunteers gained through voluntary work saying:
"Volunteering is nourishment for the soul. It strengthens our connection with the community and highlights our role as youth in responding quickly during emergencies.

Mohamed Zalom from Ramallah, talked About the Voluntary Group Initiative in the Ramallah Area, which included conducting a full Study and Networking with various institutions to provide assistance to workers, such as supplying food, medicine for the Sick, and other kinds of assistance.

Sarah Al-Tamimi, a volunteer from Hebron, Said: "I have gained many skills and have previously volunteered with several organizations and alongside various youth groups. Volunteering helps in shaping an individual’s character, making them more influential in the community, while also providing the opportunity to meet new people who are eager to help the community."

Israa Al-Qasrawi, a volunteer from Bethlehem Stated: "Volunteering has made me an active person who both influences and is influenced by the community. It has also allowed me to build relationships that help me gain knowledge, experience, and skills in communication, networking, and time management."

Volunteer Ahmed Al-Kilani from Jenin Said: "This year has seen an accumulation of work due to the humanitarian conditions faced by the Palestinian people and the ongoing war on Gaza. It has had an impact on strengthening the values of belonging, solidarity, and cooperation, with the goal of achieving progress and maintaining the community from collapse."

Palestinian volunteers show spirit and excellence during hard times more than ever.

Palestinian volunteers have displayed an unparalleled spirit of volunteering and excellence during the most challenging times the occupied Palestinian territories have faced, particularly with the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza and the military escalation in the West Bank. Palestinian volunteers have always been the first to respond and rise to face challenges with courage and dedication.

The importance of volunteering lies in contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals, which cannot be achieved without involving people at all stages, levels, and times. Volunteering allows individuals to be part of the solutions and engage in the development of their communities.

Volunteering contributes to building a cohesive society where volunteers feel a sense of belonging and work to improve its condition. Through volunteering, individuals cooperate to achieve common goals, contributing to spreading values of solidarity and cooperation among people. It also strengthens the sense of social responsibility, as individuals work on solving local and global issues.

Volunteering is not only a charitable act but also a means of personal development. Through volunteering, individuals acquire new skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication. These skills are valuable in daily life and in various professional fields. Volunteering can also give individuals a deep sense of achievement and satisfaction, enhancing their self-confidence.

In times of crises and disasters, volunteering becomes more important than ever. Volunteers provide essential support to the affected, from supplying food and shelter to offering medical and psychological assistance. The role of volunteers in this critical line is invaluable, as they help restore hope to affected communities and gradually rebuild lives.

About ActionAid International

ActionAid International is a global federation working with over 41 million people living in more than 72 of the world's poorest countries. We envision a world characterized by justice and sustainability, where every individual has the right to a dignified life and freedom, and a world free from poverty and oppression. We strive to achieve social justice, gender equality, and eradicate poverty.

ActionAid Palestine began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, believing in their right to enjoy freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs through its engagement with Palestinian communities and youth and women’s groups, aiming to empower women and youth and enhance their active civil and political participation to understand their rights and undertake collective action to address the rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation, in addition to improving their leadership capacity and practicing their citizenship in holding authorities and other duty bearers accountable.

For more information, please contact:

Riham Jafari 

Communication and Advocacy Officer at ActionAid Palestine 

Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org