Ahmad Kilani: Model of Youth Leadership of Humanitarian Response During Emergencies

Ahmad Al-Kilani is a dedicated youth activist and a member of the Humanitarian Working Group–Palestine supported by ActionAid Palestine (AAP). Ahmad employes his capacities and knowledge in serving his community in Jenin in the north of the West Bank amid hard reality caused by illegal practices of Israeli occupation.

 Jenin as other cities of West Bank suffer from Israeli military escalations, daily and night incursion, home demolition, sever movement restrictions and other human rights violations. Jeni is  a city once alive with cultural richness and economic activity; a heavy silence now hangs. The echoes of bustling markets and community events have been replaced by unemployment, demolished businesses, and rising despair. 

Ahmad Says : “Jenin today is witnessing economic, political, and cultural collapse,” says. “People who once had stable jobs are now sitting idle. Poverty and unemployment are soaring.”

Jenin was suffering before the beginning of war against Gaza in October 2023 but this deterioration has been increasing after the war. Ahmad says: “the devastation didn’t start with Jenin. The war that erupted on October 7th in Gaza spread its destructive roots to the West Bank and Jerusalem, dragging with it not just physical destruction but psychological scars. “The war has cornered us. We’re not just economically shattered — we’re being mentally crushed every day. Occupation is not abstract political terms. They are lived realities. “The occupation is like cancer,” he says. “It’s more present in our lives than on our land. It invades how we live, think, and plan for our future. It tries to dismantle our political, educational, and cultural existence.

Amid this bleak landscape, Ahmad insists to be active agent having willingness to dedicate his time and energy in serving his people whose suffering is relentless. He joine ActionAid Palestine activities and training since 2012–2013. Over the years, he participated in numerous programs, but none as transformative as the Youth Humanitarian Working Group, which has been active for over two and a half years. “We’re not just a group. We’ve become a trusted, cohesive body,” he says proudly. “Together — youth, ActionAid, trainers, and partners — we’ve done what some of the biggest institutions in the West Bank couldn’t. We’ve become a strong voice for those who often go unheard.”

This youth-led humanitarian group doesn’t operate in isolation. Their work responds directly to people’s evolving needs. In Jenin, they distributed thousands of food parcels, supported vulnerable women through dignity kits, and backed community events like the Women’s Festival at the Freedom Theater in Jenin Camp.

“We’ve proven we can reach those in need quickly and with dignity,” Ahmad says. “People trust us. Institutions believe in our capabilities. We’re not just filling gaps — we’re creating new pathways.”

For these young leaders, humanitarian work isn’t just charity.  Ahmad says “This work keeps us connected to our land. It helps our communities stay strong. It is part of our survival and presence.”

Ahmad explains how youth, specifically, hold a crucial role: “We are the bridge between children and elders. We are today’s workers, but also tomorrow’s leaders. We don’t act just for today — we act for generations to come.”

One of the group's proudest achievements was gaining a seat at the table in leadership spaces — including becoming part of the UN Education Cluster in Gaza. “We’ve shown that youth can lead, plan, and deliver under pressure — and with integrity.”

What sets ActionAid’s approach apart, according to Ahmad, is the freedom it offers young people. “It gives us room to think, to design, to lead. It trusts our judgment and nurtures our capacity.”

In a world that often paints youth as passive victims of war, Ahmad and his peers defy that narrative daily. Their work is a powerful testimony to how resilience, when fueled by community trust and meaningful engagement, becomes a force that not only endures — but rebuilds.

“In every food parcel, every festival, every meeting room we enter,” Ahmad says, “we’re not just responding to a crisis. We are shaping a future. One where youth lead with vision, courage, and heart.”

Promoting and supporting the leadership of young people, and especially young women,

in humanitarian response is core to ActionAid’s humanitarian signature. Through placing an

emphasis on shifting power to young people, ActionAid has enabled young people to claim their rights and agency and drive change. 

About ActionAid International

ActionAid International is a global federation working with over 41 million people across more than 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive for a just and sustainable world where every individual enjoys the right to a dignified life and freedom, a world free from poverty and oppression. We work towards social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication.

ActionAid Palestine began operations in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, believing in their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs engaging Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women, aiming to empower women and youth and enhance their active civic and political participation to understand their rights and engage collectively in addressing rights violations resulting from prolonged occupation. It also seeks to improve their leadership capacities and citizenship practice by holding authorities and other responsible parties accountable.

For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy Officer, ActionAid Palestine
Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org