The Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) has released a new research study entitled: "Palestinian NGOs' Interventions in the Gaza Strip and the ‎Challenges Facing ‎Their Work", in which it reviewed the reality of the response and challenges during the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, and mechanisms to enhance the capabilities of these organizations under exceptional circumstances described by the study as one of the most complex contemporary humanitarian crises.

The study adopted a mixed-method approach, using a quantitative survey of (60) NGOs, in-depth interviews with (22) experts and representatives of NGOs, in addition to (4) focus groups covering key humanitarian sectors (health, agriculture and food security, education and youth, women, rehabilitation and shelter).

The study revealed that the response of NGOs was rapid but insufficient, as the results showed that NGOs provided a swift and flexible humanitarian response, focusing on urgent relief (food security, health, water, shelter), and managed to save lives at critical stages.

The study also revealed a clear gap between the escalating volume of needs and the response provided, which remained limited in coverage and short-term, especially in the education, mental health, and rehabilitation sectors.

The study reviewed the extremely complex structural and organizational challenges, represented by funding instability, depletion of human resources, destruction of institutional infrastructure, and weak strategic coordination with international actors.

The study emphasized the necessity of transitioning from fragmented emergency response to comprehensive approaches that integrate relief, early recovery, and resilience building, based on a rights-based approach.

It called for enhancing the institutional preparedness of NGOs through developing monitoring and evaluation systems, investing in digital transformation, and building the capacities of human resources. It also stressed the importance of improving coordination mechanisms and partnerships, and working to secure flexible, long-term funding to ensure a higher quality, more sustainable, and equitable humanitarian response in facing future crises.

The Palestinian NGOs Network invites all interested parties, researchers, partners, and those working in the humanitarian field to review this valuable study and benefit from it in guiding their plans and programs.