Palestinian NGOs representatives, community leaders and activists emphasized the need to strengthen the true partnership between all parties in order to achieve an effective response to disasters and humanitarian crises.

They stressed the need to form independent coordinating bodies in order to lead efforts to reduce the impact of humanitarian crises and increase disaster preparedness to mitigate the expected losses.

They also stressed the need to adopt unified national mechanisms, policies and plans that are integrated and consistent with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and international covenants on humanitarian interventions.

The statements were made in a workshop organized by PNGO in Al Ataa' Charitable Society in the northern Gaza Strip under the title of " Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response " within the project of "Rights and Resilience" which aims at strengthening resilience and protection of women and youth affected by protracted crises and disasters in Gaza" in accordance with the international human rights law and the international humanitarian law. The workshop was held in partnership with Action Aid – Palestine and funded by DANIDA.

Humanitarian Program Manager at the Islamic Relief Palestine, Eng. Rami Mahani, said that the workshop held in efforts to strengthen resilience and raise the awareness of civil society and humanitarian workers to reduce the negative effects of natural or man-made disasters, make CSOs more ready to deal with various emergencies, exchange experiences and unify efforts.

Mahani conducted an introductory presentation on the principles of humanitarian interventions, particularly the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and SPHERE, which include four key sectors: "Health, WASH, Shelter and Food Security".

Mahani stressed that "Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) is very important for NGOs, especially as it provides full awareness and disseminates culture and awareness to avoid the negative effects of disasters and helps to organize humanitarian work".

At the conclusion, all participants called to work on the development of a national plan for disaster reduction in which various sectors should participate. They also called to provide the necessary means to cope with disasters and emergencies to mitigate their serious consequences.