ACT MEPL81 Gaza Crises Evaluation Report

Background:

This independent evaluation was commissioned by the ACT Alliance Secretariat in Geneva to assess the work conducted by ACT Palestine Forum (APF) members in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between July 2008 and December 2009 under ACT Gaza Crisis Appeal MEPL81. Norwegian Church Aid is an APF member.

The appeal being evaluated (MEPL81) was initially launched in the summer of 2008 at time when the situation in Gaza was worsening due to the ongoing blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. This was the first appeal launched by ACT on behalf of the newly created ACT Palestine Forum (APF) and involved more actors than previous appeals. In December of 2008 the humanitarian situation in Gaza became much more acute as the Israeli Government launched Operation Cast Lead, invading Gaza and attacking areas throughout the territory. MEPL81 was revised to take into account the growing needs resulting from the conflict. After a month of active conflict the Israeli forces withdrew leaving massive destruction, environmental and infrastructure damage and loss of life in their wake. To take account of the ongoing needs and challenges with movement and access for essential good and personnel MEPL81 was revised a third time and reissued in September of 2009.

Purpose/ Objective:
- To measure the impact and assess the performance of the interventions; and to provide a learning opportunity for future operations.

Comments from Norwegian Church Aid (if any):
The evaluation was conducted by an external body assigned by ACT Secretariat for the evaluation of the appeal MPEL81. NCA had three programmes under this appeal; the support of Al Ahli arab Hospital in Gaza, the Pshychosocial program, and the Coordination of the APF forum and its work. The evaluators conducted evaluation using the above methodology for each programme in the appeal.