COVID-19 Spreads in Palestinian Refugee Camps in Bethlehem Governorate
Bethlehem-West Bank -ActionAid Palestine (AAP) responded to the needs of refugee camps and communities in Bethlehem governorate to combat the second wave of COVID-19. This response was conducted by engaging youth groups in actions of response and preparedness. Response efforts were coordinated with the public committees for services in Palestine refugee camps of Beit Jibreen, Deheisha and Aida and emergency committee in Doha town. 125 infected families that stay in home quarantine were provided with hygiene kits to promote their preventive actions and contain the spread of the virus.
(photo for members of youth groups while they are preparing hygiene kits to be distributed on families in home quarantine)
Responses initiatives were implemented by youth voluntary groups in those refugee camps in Bethlehem governorate and with the support of youth activists from towns of Battair and Dar Salah. AAP’s conducted this intervention in partnership with Alternative Information Center, and coordination with the national and governmental stakeholders including Bethlehem Governorate, Palestinian Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and emergency Committees in those areas and Doha municipality.
(photo of young people while they are packing hygiene kits to be distributed on families in home quarantine in Bethlehem governorate)
Through “Civil and Democratic Participation of Palestinian youth” Programme, AAP seeks to support the youth initiatives in response and preparedness actions. Youth are responsible for assessing the needs of community and current threats and developing response plan addressing those threats. Youth are engaged in constructive dialogue with decision makers concerning intervention mechanism and youth responsibilities during this crisis. Youth are involved in raising Palestinian community’s awareness about preventive measures to contain the spread of virus through social media.
(photo of a young woman while she was preparing hygiene kits to be distributed on families in home quarantine in Bethlehem governorate)
Anas Abu Srour is a refugee young man residing in Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem governorate. He is a member in emergency committee in the camp. Anas talked about AAP’s intervention and his experience and role of youth in fighting COVID-19 saying : “ I would like to express our appreciation to AAP which is known for its development and humanitarian work in Palestinian community particularly its pioneer role in initiating youth projects aiming to serve youth and improve their skills . AAP also implemented urgent interventions in the fields of food, health and hygiene assistance. This intervention was quickly implemented to respond to the second wave of COVID-19 reflecting AAP’s preparedness to suit the needs that were assessed in Aida refugee camp”.
Anas describes the unique role of youth in fighting COVID-19 and that roles covers different aspects including distribution of food parcels and hygiene kits. Anas shares roles he performs saying: “I have participated in raising awareness of people about details of this disease. I also participated in distributing hygiene kits and food parcels on laborers and poor people who lost their livelihoods due to the spread of the virus. I also communicated with the infected families and families in home quarantine to fulfill their needs and coordinated with local and international organizations to mobilize funds and purchase food items to be distributed on people”.
Background Information
ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working for social justice and gender equality and eradicate poverty. ActionAid works worldwide to empower people living in poverty and exclusion with focus on women’s rights .ActionAid works directly and closely with communities, civil society organizations, women movements and social groups and movements and other allies to tackle root causes of poverty and oppression. ActionAid deliver grassroots programmes to utilize efforts of global struggle movements working for a just, fair and sustainable world. Based on human rights-based approach and women rights’ principles, ActionAid seeks to fairly re-distribute powers through solidarity, empowerment, awareness campaigns and creating alternatives to ensure that everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from oppression.
ActionAid in Palestine (AAP) is a part of that federation which started its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of Palestinian People as ActionAid believes that they should enjoy their rights to freedom, justice and self-determination. AAP implements a number of programs through its engagement with communities and women and youth groups seeking to empower them and enhance their influential civil and political participation to understand their rights and undertake collective activism to address the protracted rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation of Palestine. AAP works simultaneously to enhance their leadership capacity and knowledge to practice their citizenship in holding authorities and other duty bearers to account.
For more information, please contact
Riham Jafari
Coordinator of Advocacy and Communication in Gaza Strip and West Bank
Mobile:
+972 (0) 595242890
Office:
+972 (0) (2) 22 13 137
Email: