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Palestine Red Cresent Society

Vulnerability & Capacity Assessment

August 2000

A Participatory Action Research Study of the Vulnerabilities andCapacities of the Palestinian Society in Disaster Preparedness

United Nations Children's Fund

West Bank & Gaza

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS

AND RED CRECSENT SOCIETIES

Vulnerability & Capacity Assessment

A Participatory Action Research Study of theVulnerabilities and Capacities of the Palestinian

Society in Disaster Preparedness

Palestine Red Crescent Society

August 2000

Copyright © Palestine Red Crescent Society 2001All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmittedin any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying,recording, or by any information storage and retrieval sysems without prior

permission from The Palestine Red Crescent Society, Al-Bireh, Palestine.

For further infromation:Palestine Red Crescent SocietyHeadquarters/ Al-BirehP.O.Box 3637Tel: ++972-2-2406515/6/7Fax: ++972-2-2406518e-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.PalestineRCS.org

Thanks to technical support of UNICEF West Bank and Gaza to this studyand to the financial contribution of UNICEF- Middle East and North AfricaRegional office who made the design and printing of this publicationpossible.

Special thanks to the International Federation of the Red Cross and RedCrescent Societies for their technical and financial support to carrying thisstudy.

Cover drawing and all drawings are by Palestinian Children randomly selectedfrom Palestinian schools in the West Bank and Gaza.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author (Palestine RedCrescent Society) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of UNICEF

ContentsLIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

PREFACE

VCA STUDY MANAGEMENT GROUP

Chapter 1: Introduction and Context of the Inquiry 13

Chapter 2: Literature Review 17

Socio-Economic & Health Background of Palestine 17Demography 17

Infrastructure and Transport 17

Employment 17

Education 18

Health 18

Morbidity 19

Mortality 19

Infrastructure and Hazards 20Water 20

Sanitation & Pollution 20

Desertification & Agriculture 20

Regional Hazards in General 20

Earthquakes 20

Conflict 21

Nuclear Installations 21

Chapter 3: Methodology 23

Purpose of the Study 23

Objectives 23

Preparatory Stage: 23Task Group 23

Steering Committee 23

Workshops 24

Research Methods 24Sources of Information 25

Research Tools 25

Validity and Reliability 29

Qualitative Analysis 29

Quantitative A.nalysis 31

Measures of Spread 31

Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Findings of the Inquiry 33Major Findings 33

Qualitative Findings 34

Expected Hazards and Their Potential Locations 35

Vulnerable Groups 36

Factors aiding the occurrence of Disaster 36

The Influence of Disaster on the Palestinian Community 36

Disaster Preparedness 38

Local Community Preparedness and Capacities 40

How to Respond to Disaster and the Basic Requirements Needed 42

Analysing Roles and Capacities for Governmental/Non-Governmental Institutions 43

Ministry of Interior 43

Ministry of Environmental Affairs 43

Ministry of Communication 43

Ministry of Housing 43

Ministry of Media 43

Ministry of Education 43

Ministry of Social Affairs 43

Ministry of Supplies 43

Ministry of Local Government 43

Ministry of Public Labour 44

Ministry of Labour 44

Ministry of Health 44

Ministry of Finance 44

Ministry of Industry 44

Ministry of Agriculture 44

Civil Defence 44

Palestinian Refugees Study Centre 44

The Palestinian Board for Development & Rebuilding (Pecdar) 44

Union of Medical Relief Committees 44

Geography and Earthquake Engineering Centre 45

International Movement for Defending Children 45

Aneera Institute 45

Universities 45

Palestinian Water Authority 45

Applied Research Institute 45

ICRC (International Committee of Red Cross) 45

Swedish Relief Institute 45

UNRWA 45

The Capacities of Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations 45

The Role, Capacities and Needs of the PRCS 46

Community Training 46

Volunteers 46

Doctors 46

Establishing voluntary committees 46

Blood Bank 48

Hospitals/PHC/Rehabilitation 48

Contributions in Fire-fighting, Sheltering, Evacuation 48

Contribution in assisting poor and vulnerable people 48

Information Bank 49

PRCS Role 49

Requesting Assistance, organizing and distributing it. 49

Quantitative Findings Relating to Perceived Hazards of the Local Community Focus Groups 50

Analysis of response distribution 50

The Most Likely Occurring Events/Hazards 50

Other Hazards Predicted by the Community Focus Groups 53

Chapter 5: Children and Youth 57

Children's Drawings 58

Children's Data 63

Discussion 66

Chapter 6: Recommendations 69

Projects Highlighted as Recommendations for Action 69

Community Focus Groups 70

The Institutes Recommendations 71

The Local Community Recommendations: 71

Task Group Recommendations 72

Strategies Recommended Employees as Outcomes of the Pre-VCA Workshops in West Bank & Gaza 72

Correlation o f Recommendations Categotries 73

Chapter 7: The Impact of the Study on Children, Local Community, Institutions, Task Group and PRCS 75

Impact of the Study 75

Impact of the Study on Children 75

Influence of the Study on the Local Community 75

Influence of the Study on Ministries and Institutions 75

Influence of the Study on the PRCS 76

Chapter 8: Discussion and Outcomes 79

The Role of the PRCS in Disaster Preparedness 79

Advocating for a National Disaster Plan 80

References 81

Appendix 1: Consulted Ministries and Institutions 83

Appendix 2: Persons Interviewed from Ministries and Institutions 84

Appendix 3: Steering Committee Members 85

Appendix 4: Community Focus Group Interview Guideline Questions 86

Appendix 5: Record Sheet for Participant on Focus Group Discussions 87

Appendix 6: Common Guidelines Agreed for Facilitators Working With a Focus Group 88

Appendix 7: Summary Form for Completion by the Facilitator 89Immediately Followinh Focus Groups Interview Session

Appendix 8: Locations of Focus Groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip 91

Appendix 9: Number of Participants in the Focus Groups 92

Appendix 10: Names & Numbers of Participants Within Focus Group 93Gaza Strip

Appendix 11: Areas and Numbers of Participants Within Focus Group 94West Bank

Appendix 12: Likert Scale Questionnaire Tool Relating to Hazards 95

Appendix 13: D ata from the Quantitative Analysis Referring to Distribution of Questions 96Answered in the Likert Scale

Appendix 14: Children and Youth Drawings Analysis 98

Disaster Preparedness Depicted in Artwork by Children and Youth 99

Appendix 15: Comparative Review of the Themes of Drawings 101Produced by the Children's Groups

Appendix 16: Historical Data on Major Hazards Experienced in Nearby Countries 102

List of Tables and Figures

Figure 1 UNDP Crunch Model 14

Figure 2 New View of Disaster 14

Figure 3 Model of Community Focus Group Representation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip 26

Figure 4 Photograph of Task Group conducting Analysis in Gaza 29

Figure 5 Photograph: Wall-mounted Themes a data bits- Gaza 30

Figure 6 Vulnerable groups in Palestine as defined by the community, ministries, & institutions36

Figure 7 Water Shortage - West Bank 50

Figure 8 Political Events - West Bank 51

Figure 9 Vehicles & Traffic Accidents - West Bank 51

Figure 10 Water Shortage - Gaza Strip 51

Figure 11 Politically Related Events - Gaza Strip 52

Figure 12 Open Sewage - Gaza Strip 52

Figure 13 Water and Sea Pollution - Gaza Strip 52

Figure 14 Food Poisoning - Gaza strip 53

Figure 15 Vehicle Accidents - Gaza Strip 53

Figure 16 Violence and Conflict - Gaza Strip 53

Figure 17 Children's Drawing - conflict and floods 58

Figure 18 Children's Drawing - Air and Water Pollution 59

Figure 19 Children's Drawing - Fire, Chemical Waste & Floods 59

Figure 20 Children's Drawing - Natural Disaster 60

Figure 21 Children's Drawing - Preparedness & Awareness 61

Figure 22 Children's Drawing - Earthquake, Drought & Floods 63

Figure 23 Children's Drawing - Preparedness Access to Medicines 63

Figure 24 Potential Structure of a National Committee for Disaster 80

Table 1 Employment of the population by Industry types in percentages 18

Table 2 Numbers of students by Type of Educational Institution 18

Table 3 Distribution of health institutions by region and provider 19

Table 4 Morbidity in the West Bank and Gaza 19

Table 5 Mortality Statistics for Palestine 19

Table 6 Sample Distribution on VCA Methodologies 25

Table 7 Gender Distribution of Sample Groups by Location 27

Table 8 Strategy for analysing data, showing as an example, the Role of the PRCS 30

Table 9 Correlation of 5 DP Categories and 17 Major Hazards 34

Table 10 Comparison of current and expected hazards (Qual v Quant) 34

Table 11 Expected hazards and their location 35

Table 12 Influences of Disaster on the Palestinian People 37

Table 13 Preparedness Themes Prior to Disaster Emerging from Focus Group Interviews 38

Table 14 Preparedness Themes During Disaster Emerging from Focus Group Interviews 39

Table 15 Preparedness Themes Post-Disaster Emerging from Community Focus group Interviews 39

Table 16 Local Capacities and Potential Capacities Identified by Community Focus Groups 40

Table 17 Community Ideas for Responding to Disaster 42

Table 18 Requirements for Rapid Interventions in Disaster by Institutions suggestedby Community Focus Groups 42

Table 19 Capacities of Governmental Institutions & NGO's 46

Table 20 Capacities of the PRCS 47

Table 21 PRCS Roles and Capacities 49

Table 22 Main Hazards in the West Bank 50

Table 23 Main Hazards in Gaza Strip 50

Table 24 -32 Children's Data 62-66

Table 33 Projects Proposed Through the Process of the Inquiry 70

Table 34 General Recommendations of the Community Focus groups 70

Table 35 Community Focus Group Recommendations for Pre-Disaster Phase 70

Table 36 Community Focus Group Recommendations for Disaster Phase 70

Table 37 Recommendations of Institutions 71

Table 38 Local Community Recommendations 71

Table 39 Task Group Recommendations 72

Table 40 Strategies Recommended by PRCS Employees During Pre-VCA Workshops 72

Table 41 A Comparison of the Main Categories of Various Group Recommendationsand the Main Categories of the Study Findings 73

List of Abbreviations

EMS Emergency Medical Services

DP Disaster Preparedness

DR Disaster Response

ERU Emergency Response Unit

PRCS Palestine Red Crescent Society

VCA Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment

NGO Non-governmental Organisation

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

OPT Occupied Palestinian Territories

WB West bank

GS Gaza Strip

WHO World Health Organisation

PNA Palestinian National Authority

PHC Primary Health Care/Clinic

MOH Ministry of Health

GNP Gross National Product

IGCP International Geological Correlation Programme

IFRC International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross

CC Comparative Criticality

RC Red Cross / Red Crescent

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund

UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency

VCA Study Management Group

President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society

Younis Al Khatib

VCA Team Leader & Study Coordinator

Abdel Qader Abu Awad, Director of Rehabilitation Services, PRCS, Al Bireh

Research Project Consultant

Graham Betts-Symonds, Disaster Preparedness Delegate in Amman,

International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

VCA Task Group

Abdullah Abu Dayeh Primary Health Care Administrator

Hassan Khader Basharat Director of Emergency Educational Centre

Dr Mohamed Awaddeh Deputy Director of EMS Dept

Randa Hamed Assistant Director of Primary Health Care Department

Magida Awashreh Planning Coordinator

Mahmuda Ali PRCS Administration

Ad hoc Task Group Members

Dr Haakon Aars Health Delegate, IFRC Federation Office, Ramallah

Per Allen Olsen IFRC Representative in Palestine

Technical Advisors

Dr. Hossam Sharkawi Advisor & Emergency Response Unit Project Manager, PRCS, El Bireh

Alexandra Galperin Disaster Preparedness Department, Geneva

VCA Pre-Study Coordination

Bertrand Bainvel Programme Officer

UNICEF, West Bank and Gaza

Research Assistants

Amal Mahmoud Khalil Shamasneh

AdbulGhafer Salawadeh

Raba'a Atoum, IFRC (Amman)

Steering Committee See Appendix 3

Preface

There are two important factors that PRCS perceives as emphasizing the objectives of this study on the vulnerabilitiesto disasters, the relative preparedness and the management capacities in Palestine launched to achieve them.

The first is the time at which the study findings are being prepared for release. It coincides with breakout of furtherviolent actions. These are characterized by intense and accelerated military activities carried out on a large scale ona daily basis.

The events have caused much human suffering and destruction to the resources and economic life of Palestiniancommunities. During the last two months tolls have risen to 335 deaths and 10,858 injuries in addition to hundredsof millions of dollars lost to the Palestinian economy.

There is no doubt that the outstanding national efforts for collective response to the increasing need in society formedical services, shelter, food and other life sustaining services requires more than collaboration and pooling ofresources. A well formulated, scientifically informed preparedness plan that incorporates all potential actors is astep in the right direction. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of this study will be of some assistancein realizing a National Disaster Plan.

The second important fact is the overwhelmingly positive response with which this initiative was received both atofficial and community levels. Their contribution provided us with the necessary framework, widened our scopeand enriched the analysis. Given the considerable importance of participation at the grassroots level, it is of similarimportance that people's views and involvement become part of any future disaster preparedness planning. Indeed,the findings have indicated a significant role to be played by the community in utilizing their capacities in preventing,mitigating and recovering from disaster.

The study was only made possible with the dedicated and committed cooperation of all involved. I would like tothank the many people who participated or helped carry out the group sessions. PRCS expresses its deep gratitudeto the Steering Committee members for their ongoing guidance, and to all institutions for their assistance during theprocess of information collection in the field.

I would like to thank all Palestinian children who participated in this study by expressing their views about expecteddisasters through drawings. This participation enriched this study massively.

I would like also to thank the study team and PRCS staff members who undertook this tiresome endeavour andUNICEF for their sponsorship and encouragement with the involvement of children in the study.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the International Federation of the Red Cross Federation Office in Palestine,the Regional Delegation in Amman and the Disaster Preparedness Department in Geneva for their active support.

The objectives of this study are important to all institutions in Palestine in order to define roles so that effectivecooperation and coordination can be facilitated.

The PRCS offers the study to form part of the background for a National Conference to function as an umbrella forall actors towards the realization of the National Disaster Plan. Meanwhile, this assessment will further serve as abasis for a provisional disaster preparedness programming for the Society in the communities it serves.

Younis Al-KhatibPresidentPalestine Red Crescent Society- PRCSAl-Bireh- Palestine

Social Workers Participating in the Study as

Community Focus Group Facilitators

Name of the participant Occupation Place of Work Notes

1. Amal Mahmoud Khalil Shamasneh Social Worker Head Quarter West Bank

2. AbdulGhafer Salawadeh Social Worker Jericho Rehabilitation West Bank

3. Rehab Al-Salaymeh Social Worker Head Quarters West Bank

4. Amal Al-Amleh Social Worker Taraqomyeh, Hebron West Bank

5. Jumanah Farooq Al- Dakak Social Worker Al-Khder PHC Center Bethlehem West Bank

6. Nebal Mahmoud Medrasee Social Worker TubasNablus West Bank

7. Reema Kamel Enayeh Social Worker Salfeet + Kofer Hares Centers West Bank

8. Intesar Mohamed Tayem Social Worker Tulkarem West Bank

9. Maha Abu Ghoosh Social Worker Bedouin Center+Qatneh West Bank

10. Rana Waleed Al-Nagaar Nurse Khan Younis Gaza Strip

11. Nagah Ali Aqel Nurse Rafah Gaza Strip

12. Reem Tayseer Ghanam Social Worker Deer Al-Balah Gaza Strip

13. Manal Qadoome Social Worker Deer Al-Balah Gaza Strip

14. Azeezeh Odeh Al-Looh Nurse Deer Al-Balah Gaza Strip

15. Najwa Hassan Labad Public Relations Gaza Gaza Strip

16. Zoheerah Fares Al-Qadi Social Worker Selwad Center West Bank

17. Fatmeh Abu Maraheel Social Worker Deer Al-Balah Gaza Strip

18. Aishah Al- Abadleh Social Worker Khan Younis Gaza Strip

19. Ekram Al-Haqaqreh Social Worker Taraqomyeh- Hebron West Bank

ABSTRACT

PRCS seeks to identify local community points of viewin relation to real needs for disaster preparedness andways of mitigating the impacts of disaster.

In order to empower Ministries and Non-GovernmentalOrganisations to plan and provide adequate services forthe Palestinian community, practical roles need to bedefined and a National Plan developed based on realavailable capacities.

To meet these objectives we utilized severalmethodologies within a triangulation. We utilizedcommunity focus groups representing cities, villages andrefugee camps within West Bank and Gaza. Twenty-twofocus groups were facilitated involving the contributionof 429 in which males, females, elderly and handicappedwere represented. In order to ensure that all age groupswere consulted in this study, art workshops werefacilitated for children ranging from the age of 6 years to14 years. In these workshops children were invited torecord their ideas of expected hazards, their effects anddisaster preparedness in order to meet them.113 childrenfrom all governorates north and south of West bank andGaza participated.

Also, based on a triangulated methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted for Ministries andNGO's in which 44 representatives were interviewed.

To support the qualitative information gathered from thelocal community through the focus groups, a quantitativechecklist was designed relating to expected hazards andwas based on a Likert Scale. Secondary data was alsoconsulted collected from primary and secondary sources.Two information-gathering workshops were also

conducted involving PRCS employees in West Bank andGaza.

The results of the study showed that political conflict,water shortages and environmental pollution wereperceived to be the most significant disasters currentlyaffecting the Palestinian people. The study also showedthat earthquake was considered a significant potentialthreat.

The most vulnerable groups in disaster were defined aswomen, children, and the elderly and disabled persons.

The study also indicated that the Palestinian communityhas technical and human capacities to assist in thedevelopment of a National Disaster plan to meet thehazards through preparedness. This is supported by thefact that communities concentrated on preparedness nowrather than dealing with events during disaster.

Communities defined the roles of institutions based onthe actual services that they are provided with by theseorganisations and therefore potentially more realistic.One of the obvious results of this study is the need todevelop a National Plan based on the needs andaspirations of the local community. This may providethem with an effective role in the process ofpreparedness, prevention and mitigation of disaster.

The clear message emerging from this study is that theoptimum approach to meeting the hazards is cooperationand coordination. It acknowledges that no institutionalone can meet the human and material capacitiesneeded to deal effectively with disaster.

15

The context of this Inquiry lies within the PRCS' quest to identify realistic andeffective disaster preparedness directions, which would enable it to provideappropriate services to the public and to clarify its own role, locally and nationally.This is important in the light of recent experiences in Turkey where the TRCS wasleft in a position of trying to live up to unrealistic expectations, with reference to itsrole and capacities in meeting them.

Whilst a National Committee exists for Disaster, it became apparent, that eachdiscipline was planning in isolation, and that an integrated National Plan did notexist. An integral part of preparing a National Plan is to first identify clearly theroles of each player, both locally and nationally. In order to begin this process, thePRCS decided to instigate a study aimed at defining its own role first, which maybe helpful in providing direction for other participating agencies, to be able toreview theirs.

The beginning of this Inquiry started with a Pre-Study conducted by the PRCStogether, with the Disaster preparedness Department in Geneva. This provided anexcellent base for defining the objectives of the main study, and in the most usefuldirections that might be pursued. Recommendations from this work suggested,that information should be gathered from institutions and the community, alongwith secondary data sources.

Of the numerous assessment tools available, the Vulnerability and CapacityAssessment (VCA) was selected, as it allows a comparison of the vulnerabilitiesexisting capacities to highlight shortcomings, which might then be possible to beaddressed. Different approaches to conducting VCA's have been used in variouscountries, and methods available may be described as either 'top-down' or 'bottomup',46 using quantitative, qualitative or a combination in a triangulated methodology.

In this study, a participatory approach was designed, as outlined in the methodologysection of this report, and was predominantly qualitative in nature.

The VCA is said to require a basic model for interpreting relationships betweenimportant determinants, in the development of disaster-prone settings7. The meaningof this depends upon the definition of what disaster is. The approach in this studyis uniquely different in that it is set around qualitative interactions, directly withcommunity groups, throughout the West Bank and Gaza. It is also the first study inwhich information from a significant sample of children and youth, are alsoconsidered.

The idea of 'disaster' has also been considered differently, where the idea of'vulnerabilities of the community' have been viewed as:

� those traditional sudden onset events, such as earthquakes, and floods describedas Hazards, which are often the trigger events of disaster.

� Vulnerabilities as Disaster 'per se', in terms of underlying determinants, such aspoverty and the political environment, dynamic determinants and unsafeconditions such as pollution, health problems and infrastructural problems7.

Chapter 1 Introduction and Context of the Inquiry

16 Vulnerability & Capacity Assessment

The purpose of this is to create a 'new view' of whatdisaster is, in terms of the philosophy of the WorldDisaster Report 2000 and Strategy 2010. It is a changein emphasis from traditional ideas of preparing for theevents that might come up to finding ways of dealingwith the events that are already present that may alsoserve preparedness for sudden onset trigger events. Thisis an important context of this inquiry.

Figure 1: UNDP Crunch Model in which Disaster is aprogressive event

Disaster is the whole of many parts contributing to theevent, and of individual families and small parts of theinfrastructure, usually "in a short period of time"47, whichsuddenly overwhelms. The essence of this approach isthat underlying and dynamic determinants, along withunsafe conditions create what is described bycommunities, as disaster for them.

Furthermore, any of these groups of vulnerabilities forone family multiplied by hundreds or thousands offamilies in terms of water shortage, infection with AIDSor Tuberculosis, constitutes a disaster in itself. In this senseit does not require one of the traditional trigger events tocreate what is generally known as Disaster.

Figure 2: New View of Disaster in whichvulnerabilities and trigger events can produce

Disaster now and the future

In terms of preparedness, this model creates opportunitiesto concentrate on initiatives that improve the lives ofthe most vulnerable, in the present and the future. It maydo this by reducing the current problem and preventingit from getting worse, which in turn will affect the future.

Initiatives may also mitigate the effects of expectedevents, and help with the response phases and in therehabilitation stages. Response may also be seen asreacting to current problems, as well as sudden onsetevents. Responding to water, sanitation and shelter issuesis the same model, as responding to the same problemsin earthquakes or mass population movements. It is onlythe scale and the places that are different. Therefore,perhaps both can be dealt with, in imaginative andcooperative disaster preparedness initiatives.

The major findings of this study are far-reaching and verymuch involve both the communities of Palestine- forwhom disaster most affects - and the various disciplines,taking major roles in such events. Of particular originality,is the important contribution made by Palestinianchildren and youth, who show remarkable insight intohow the situation might be improved.

In terms of research reliability and validity, every efforthas been made to include validity mechanisms, whichare outlined in the methodology section.

Recommendations are based on the data, major findingsand feedback from all concerned agencies, fulfilling theobjectives of this study.

17Introduction and Context of the Inquiry

19

DemographyThe total Palestinian population in 1998 worldwide was 7.7 million with 21.2%living in the West Bank and 13.4% in the Gaza Strip. In 1999 the total populationof the West Bank8 was 1,810,309 and in Gaza7, 1,039,580. Refugee Camppopulation is 310, 772 in Gaza and 110,837 in West Bank, whilst the total refugeepopulation in Palestine is 1,074,71813. The average household number of malesper household in Gaza is 3.51 and that of females is 3.41. In the West Bank, thefigures are 3.09 and 2.99 respectively7. The three main households locations in theWest Bank and Gaza are divided into 36% urban, 50% Rural and 14%12 Camps.

Poverty in Palestinian households in the Palestinian territories is 20% as of 1998,based on samples of six member families.

Infrastructure and TransportElectricity supplies are mostly imported from Israel, though there are small powerplants in Jenin and Nablus that supply their own. All electricity in Gaza is suppliedfrom Israel. Palestinians pay 15-40% more for electricity than their Israelicounterparts, and 40% of the rural population has power for only a few hours perday. 138 villages have no electricity, with only part-time supplies from dieselgenerators16.

82% of Palestinian households own radios and 54% have televisions. Only 3.1%of Palestinian households have telephones14.

The existing transportation services are inadequate and road networks havedeteriorated in the OPT since occupation, due to weakening of local government.Road transportation is the only form of passenger services, and is served by privatetaxis and franchised bus services. 75% of the OPT has no regular bus services17.

3.2.4 Social services facilities are mostly funded by charitable organizations andNGO's. Due to the occupation, the major components of national systems such asmortgage, social welfare programmes, probation, and aftercare of offenders andchild protection, are absent.17

EmploymentThe total working population in 1996 was 1,226,859 with a total labour force of525,746 and about 65% are fully employed. The total number of unemployedlabourers was 101,469. Between 1980 and 1995, the unemployment rate in theWest Bank and Gaza rose from 5% to 20%14.

Literature Review

Socio-Economic & Health Background

of Palestine

Chapter 2


Table 1: Employment of the population by Industry types in percentages

Industry West Bank Gaza

Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing 14.9 6.4

Mining, Quarrying and Manufacturing 16.6 13.6

Construction 19.5 14.3

Commerce, Hotels and restaurants 20.0 19.4

Transportation, Storage and Communications 5.0 4.6

Services and other branches 24.0 41.7

(Source: World Fact Book 1999)14

Table 2: Numbers of students by Type of educational Institution

West Bank

Type of Education Number of students

Kindergarten (ages 4-5) 49,020

Basic schooling (First 10 years) 422,891

Secondary schooling (Years 11 and 12) 36,190

College 3,069

University 26,896

Gaza

Kindergarten (ages 4-5) 26,012

Basic schooling (First 10 years) 279,491

Secondary schooling (Years 11 and 12) 24,895

College 1,225

University 23,338

HealthThe PNA is the main provider of health services inPalestine through the Ministry of Health, with assistancefrom UNRWA and various other NGO's. The PRCSoperates 28 Primary Health Care Centres and 5 hospitals(4 in the West bank and 1 in Gaza). A well organizedEmergency Medical Services infrastructure is in placethrough PRCS ambulance stations. All ambulancepersonnel are qualified Emergency Medical Technicians.The distribution of all health facilities in Gaza and theWest Bank is shown in table 3.

The total hospital beds available in the West Bank is2,286 and 893 in Gaza with bed occupancy rates of77% and 84% respectively17.

Immunization programmes are in line with WHOrecommendations for protection against Diphtheria,Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles and Tuberculosis.Coverage of the population is about 90%1. In addition,immunization is provided for German Measles, hepatitisand mumps. Comprehensive services are operatedthrough the PRCS community health programmes.

School Health is taken seriously with efforts by the MOH,PRCS and UNRWA. Health education, medical anddental examination and registration are provided andthere is a link-up with immunization programmes.Psychological services are also provided. PRCS primarycare nurses have programme inputs into local schools,which include health education. The number and typeof health facilities within Palestine are shown in table 3.

The employment of people in the West Bank and Gaza is shown in percentages in table 1

EducationEducation in Palestine is regarded as compulsory fromage 6 - 15 years though it is not enforced by law. Theliteracy rate in the West Bank and Gaza is 86.1%equating with 86% in above average income countries39.

Gross school enrolment rates are 98% in primary stages1-6, 79% in preparatory stages 7-10 and 50% insecondary stages. The number of students and types ofeducational institution are shown in table 2.

21Literature Review

MorbidityThe morbidity rate in Gaza and the West bank is shownin Table 4. It is significant for disaster preparedness,

response and rehabilitation in the sense that the state ofhealth, with reference to prevalent diseases impacts uponany disaster.

Table 3: Distribution of health institutions by region and provider

Area Governmental UNRWA NGO's & Private

PHC Hosp Rehab PHC Hosp Rehab PHC Hosp Rehab

Gaza 35 5 1 17 O 0 40 7 27

WB 300 9 0 34 1 0 104 28 3

Total 335 14 1 51 1 0 144 35 30

(Source: Ministry of Health Annual Report 1998)

Table 4: Morbidity in the West Bank and Gaza

Diphtheria Increasing control and elimination

Pertussis Increasing control and elimination

Tetanus Increasing control and elimination

Polio Increasing control and elimination

Pulmonary TB Incidence declinedExtra pulmonary TB

Measles Generally declined through occasional outbreaks 93.64% vaccination coverage

Gastro-enteritis Prevalent in refugee areas due to sanitary conditions

Parasitic disease Prevalent in Gaza Strip in refugee areas

Meningitis Incidences seen

Hepatitis B Increases

Hepatitis C Steady increase in the number of carriers

Brucellosis Prevalent disease in Palestine with substantial under-reporting

AIDS Reports show low incidence rates


MortalityLife expectancy at birth in the West bank and Gaza Stripin 1995 was 68.7 years compared with 69% for aboveaverage income countries 39. In 1996, 54% of the West

Bank population and 73% of the one in Gaza Strip, hadhealth insurance. Some mortality statistics are shown inTable 5.

Table 5: Mortality Statistics for Palestine

Infant Pre-School School Adolescents Adults ElderlyMortality (Ages 1-4) Ages 5-14|Rates

15/1000 16.5% of total 17.3% of total 25.15% due to 21.3% due to 12.8% due tolive births deaths mainly deaths mainly due malignancy malignancy CVA and 11.2

due to congenital to malignancy 13.8% due to 10.6% due to due toabnormalities accidents CVA malignancy



Infrastructure and HazardsWaterWater is a vital commodity and its short supply ishighlighted in this study as a cause of disaster to thecommunity. Palestinian municipalities have to supplythe West Bank with water and sewage services underthe control of the Israeli Civil Administration.

200,000 individuals in 200 locations lack a water supplynetwork3. Those who are connected only receive waterfor 3-5 days per week and 25-60% of the water does notreach the taps1,4. The daily consumption of water is lowat 60l/c/d compared to Israeli consumptions of 250-300l/c/d4.

There is only one permanent river that can be used as asource of surface water, which is the river Jordan. Gazahas a water shortage of 61m3 /year which is projected tobecome bigger. The total water demand is 122m3 /year.

In Gaza, there is a water deficit of 61Mn3/year wherethe only natural source is ground water (MOPIC 1998)2.Deficits are covered by importing water from Israel.Studies have been done in which the treatment ofwastewater could assist in supplying 20-30% of the waterdeficits there.

All wells in the occupied Palestinian Territories are drilledby an Israeli company which sells it to the Palestinianagencies at higher prices than it would cost if thePalestinians produced their own. There are 7 main wateragencies in the West Bank. The Palestinians, however,only have access to 15% of these water resources, dueto occupation. In the Gaza Strip, there are 77 wells ofwhich 65% are below WHO standards1. There are 40functional wells in the West Bank for potable water and316 for agricultural irrigation use5.

Sanitation & PollutionWater sanitation is a serious problem in the majority ofpopulated areas. Septic tanks are used to dispose ofwastewater, if a sewage network is not available1. Sewagemay be disposed of in the nearest Wadi, and industrialwastewater is not separated from domestic wastewater.Only 30% of the population is connected to a publicsewer and the other 70% dispose of waste in cesspitsand the streets, creating serious potential healthhazards3,15.

The environmental hazards of Palestine can be summedup as being due to uncontrolled wastewater disposal,salinity and depletion of the aquifer. In addition,unplanned solid waste disposal is available in only 33%of West bank households. A further significantenvironmental hazard is the indiscriminate use ofpesticides15.

In Gaza, studies showed the biological safety of groundwater sources to be hygienically safe to drink6. However,

the distribution system allowed dissipation, creating theeffect of non-disinfected water.

Desertification & AgricultureDesertification has become a progressively seriousproblem in both the West Bank and Gaza through variouscontributing factors. In the West Bank, rainfall depth in1998/9 was the lowest over the entire record period9.The relative rainfall deficit ranged from 50-70%. Theoperation of water wells for agricultural use in the WestBank is unsatisfactory, and deteriorating over time.

Expansion of the desert is reported as one of the gravestproblems facing the country and is due to a combinationof natural long-term variations in weather, climaticdestabilization, and human intervention in theenvironment11. The bare land of the West Bank was oncecovered by Mediterranean-type forests and the Judeandesert is almost devoid of vegetation.

Agriculture is an important part of the Palestinianeconomy and a significant employer contributes between25 and 30% of the Gross National Product (GNP).Agricultural decline has occurred since the occupationin 1967 with the confiscation of water and land. Theclosure policy has resulted in uprooting of thousands oftrees and the gradual decline of cultivated areas10.

Regional Hazards in GeneralThe hazards reported in this study are gathered fromcommunity and institutional groups who describe theseas both current and potential seeing all of them as a'disaster to them' and is related to the model in figure 2.Historical data, sourced from EMDAT18 that indicate typesof sudden onset hazards in the region, are shown inappendix 16.

EarthquakesIn view of the major earthquake in Turkey, Palestine alongwith other regional countries are concerned about thishazard. The country is affected by two fault lines. Thefirst affects the areas around the Dead Sea, Jericho,Nablus and the north of Palestine. The second one affectsHebron, the Negev desert and the south. This constitutespart of the Eastern Mediterranean sector of theInternational Geological Correlation Programme(IGCP)20. This organization has been coordinatingactivities in the last two years towards a unified hazardmapping for the region.

A study conducted by the Earth Sciences Centre inNablus identified that 20% of all building would suffertotal damage and 25% partial damage, in the event ofan earthquake in Palestine20. The mortality would becaused mostly by fire after the event, rather than duringthe earthquake itself. The major impacts would be uponthe economy and would have a negative influence ondevelopment that may be felt for 5 to 10 years later.

23Literature Review

Among the suggested of the centre, it is recommendedthat buildings and infrastructure are not developed inthe Dead Sea and Jordan Valley areas. Advocacy is madefor national cooperative planning and coordinationefforts.

ConflictConflict has been a part of Palestinian life sinceoccupation, and there have been numerous difficultiesthat equate with disaster. In 1996 the Four Day Warresulted in serious clashes between Israelis andPalestinians. During this incident, there wasunprecedented exchange of fire between PalestinianPolice and Israeli Military, resulting in 70 Palestinianand 16 Israelis deaths24. Israelis used Cobra helicopterswith heavy automatic weapons whereby 1,600 wereinjured in addition to those who were killed25. Therewere further, though less serious, significant incidents in1997, 1998 and 2000.

The potential for very serious conflict in the area is strongwith the difficulties in reaching a peace agreement. Thepotential difficulties for the Palestinian community isgrave, considering the degree of control exercised overall essential infrastructure and services21. The potentialfor conflict over water is a regional problem, but inPalestine, the Israelis have put water as a nationallysignificant resource, under military control.

Nuclear InstallationsThe potential for nuclear accidents exists, given thenumber of special weapons facilities in Israel. Theseinclude 12 nuclear and one Chemical/Biological Warfarefacilities, which are sited in 13 different locationsthroughout Israel22. Cases of cancer have been attributedto nuclear radiation in the desert town of Dimona23.

25

The purpose of this inquiry is to address the objectives defined, and the results tobe used as a basis for a National Conference on Disaster Preparedness, advocatingfor an effective National Disaster plan.

The IFRC supported a VCA Study to be undertaken in Palestine by the PRCS. ThePRCS took the initiative to make the study national society-driven, and set up aTask Group to be the engine of the work.

Objectives1. To clearly position and define roles and responsibilities of the Palestinian Red

Crescent Society in the national framework, while looking at prevention andmitigation as well as disaster response.

2. To advocate for the establishment of a national disaster plan

Preparatory Stage:A Preliminary Assessment was undertaken by the Society with a representativefrom the Disaster Preparedness Department IFRC, Geneva, who reviewed secondarydata and interviewed a number of key personnel in relation to disaster preparedness.The outcome and recommendations by the Society and the IFRC were that a VCAStudy should be undertaken with reference to the following objectives:� To clarify the role of the PRCS in relation to Disaster preparedness

� To promote activities for a National Meeting, for the consolidation of a NationalPlan of action.

Task GroupA task group was appointed by the President of the PRCS to plan, facilitate andreport to a Steering Committee, with reference to the objectives of the study. TheGroup consisted of seven members representing PRCS in:� Emergency Medical Services

� Primary Health Care

� Planning

� Rehabilitation

In addition, a Statistician outside the PRCS was consulted.

The purpose of the multidisciplinary approach was to ensure comprehensive andrepresentative results.

Steering CommitteeA Steering committee was formed of Ministry level representatives, with interestsin Disaster preparedness. It included:� Ministry of Health

� Ministry of Local Government

� Civil Defence

Chapter 3 Methodology

Purpose of the Study


� UNRWA

� UNICEF

� IFRC

� PRCS

� Ministry of Social Welfare

� ICRC

The purpose of forming the Steering Committee:� Enhance the cooperation and coordination in Disaster

Preparedness.

� Cooperate with the Task Group to achieve theobjectives and own the outcomes.

� Participate in regular meetings to facilitate ongoingevaluation and redirection.

� Allow the specific methodology to be approved.

The role of the steering committee:� Approve the methodology of the VCA study

� Facilitate the Task Group in gaining access forinterviews with key agencies, by gathering names andcontacting experts in the field.

� Devise indicators and strategies to prepare for aNational Conference for Disaster Preparedness.

� Review the first draft of the VCA report and providefeedback.

� Promote activities in support of developing a NationalPlan.

� Evaluate the study and implement therecommendations.

� Monitor the development of the study and direct it.

Other Ministries were not included at this time, to ensurea manageable group of key disciplines. A National forumof all concerned parties would be formulated throughthe National Conference.

WorkshopsTwo workshops were conducted in the West bank andGaza Strip as part of this study. The purpose of theseworkshops were to:� introduce the study and its importance to PRCS staff.

� involve the staff in facilitating the work of the TaskGroup.

� Assess the current situation of the PRCS in relation toPRCS capacities and the role of other organisations.

� Define the PRCS strategies in dealing with hazardsand disasters.

� Define projects to deal with the hazards.

Mechanism and Structure of the Workshops.1. Define the expected disasters

2. Define the vulnerable groups

3. Assess the current situation by using the SWOTmethod in six different areas:

� Prevention

� Preparedness

� Management

� Coordination and cooperation with otherorganisations

� Capacities

� Human Resources

4. Brainstorming of PRCS strategies based on vulnerablegroups, expected hazards and analysis of the currentsituation.

5. Define roles of PRCS, NGO's and governmentalinstitutions within the strategies

6. Define three strategies and priorities that concerneach participant, which is based on democraticprocesses, to ensure the consensus and acceptanceof the participants for these strategies.

7. Choose projects to implement these strategies

8. Define the needs and available capacities for eachstrategy and project.

Results of the Workshop1. Participation of branches and workers from different

departments

2. Definition of vulnerable groups

3. Definition of expected hazards in Palestine

4. Definition of priorities and strategies for PRCS

5. Selection of group of projects for implementation

Research MethodsA framework of Action Research was chosen as it isdesigned to address organization and communityproblem solving (Patton 1990)26,27. A triangulation waschosen which best suited the nature of the study, whichsought to gather information from various sources, usingmultiple researchers and methods. Triangulation isrelated to the notion of 'multiple operationalism' andsuggests that validity of findings can be enhanced bythe use of more than one approach to data collection.43

Action research is also consistent with the participatorynature of this inquiry and Reason & Heron's (1996)28

statement that such inquiry is 'action in the service ofhuman flourishing'.

Therefore, whilst predominantly qualitative in nature,the study also used quantitative approaches, wherenumerical computations assisted in adding to the totalpicture.

27Methodology

Sources of Information� Qualitative interviews of key people at ministerial/

organizational level

� Qualitative Focus Group interview of a cross sectionof community level and service provider people

� Quantitative questionnaire data form a cross sectionof community level people

� Qualitative Focus Group interview of groups ofchildren and young people

� Paintings and drawings from the groups of childrenand young people reflecting their ideas of disasterand disaster preparedness.

� Secondary data from a review of relevant books,articles, reports, maps and Internet information.

Research Tools

Secondary Data

Secondary Data was collected by the Task Groupmembers in the preparatory stages of the study andsourceful textbooks, journals, reports, and Internetwebsites, in order to "understand the situations arisingin practice"45. It was conducted at the beginning of thestudy, to provide an in-depth background for the TaskGroup, and be an information bank as the researchprocess unfolded. It was used to build upon secondaryinformation sources provided by the Pre-Study,conducted by PRCS and the IFRC. In addition, it wasdesigned to provide supportive information to explainprimary qualitative data. Merriam & Simpson (1995)44

confirm that such literature provides the basis for buildingknowledge.

The information was used for the following additionalpurposes:� Developing the research methodology

� Developing data analysis methods

� Geography and maps

� Climate

� Water & Sanitation

� Infrastructure

� Historical perspectives

� Hazard identification to develop the quantitative tool

Quantitative

Likert Scale QuestionnaireThe Likert Scale questionnaire to elicit communityopinions about expected hazards. This is shown inAppendix 12.

These were formulated through literature review, toidentify the relevant hazards to Palestine, and they werefound to be twenty-one in total. The participant wasrequired to indicate a simple response to the likelihoodof the named hazard or relevant disaster. The scale wasgiven six gradations as follows:

� Cannot predict

� Unlikely

� Likely

� More Likely

� Most likely

� Sudden/unpredictable

Since the twenty-one hazards were identified fromliterary sources, it was not necessary to pilot thequestionnaire. It was simply designed with nosophisticated language, so that it required little directionto participants. In spite of this, the field researchers wereready to facilitate reading of the questionnaire amongthe participants.

Table 6: Sample Distribution on VCA Methodologies

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Qualitative

Interviews of Key Ministry/OrganisationsThe steering committee recommended names forinterview from governmental and NGO institutionswhich appear in appendix 2. The purpose of interviewingthese institutional representatives was to identify theircapacities and preparedness to meet hazards and disaster.Interview guidelines were prepared in order to facilitatethe semi-structured interview of these people.

Process for Arrangement of InterviewsLetters were sent to all government and NGO's to identifyone or two nominated persons for interview and confirmdates to undertake them. The interview guidelines wereenclosed with the letter to ensure that the mostappropriate people were selected for interview. WhereMinistries/NGO's did not respond, it was necessary tofollow up requests by telephone to ensure that theinterviews were conducted.

For the purpose of validity, a workshop on interviewskills was facilitated with the Task Group to allow themgain confidence and calibrate techniques, beforeconducting the Ministry/Institution interviews.The Task Group was successful in interviewing 44persons from different organisations, and the list ofagencies consulted is shown in Appendix 1.

Community Focus GroupsTo represent the geographical area in Palestine, and toensure the specific information was incorporated withcommunity capacities, a convenience sample was usedfor villages, cities and refugee camps. This was because

it was necessary to consider the actual circumstancesfor these communities.

Convenience sampling is used where purposefulsampling is logistically difficult or impracticable26. In thisstudy, samples of given numbers were selected from thedesired geographical areas, but selection of individualparticipants within the groups was based on convenienceof accessibility.

In order to select a representative sample, three maincriteria were chosen:� Geography

� Climate

� Demography of Palestinian communities.

To meet these three criteria, it was necessary to choosesamples from North, Middle and South of the West Bankand North and South of the Gaza Strip (figure 3). Thisadds to the essence of 'combination' or 'mixedpurposeful' sampling to meet multiple needs andinterests26.

In relation to the refugee camps, UNRWA provideseducational, health and social services in a uniformmanner with reference to financial, managerial andorganisational administration of the camps. The choiceof five camps could therefore be generalised to any ofthe camps within the West bank and Gaza. For thisreason, random sampling technique was appropriate toidentify the groups of community refugees to beinterviewed.

Figure 3: Model of Community Focus Group Representation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

29Methodology

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Pilot StudiesTo assist the validity of the methodology of the focusgroup interviews and the information gathered, the TaskGroup conducted two pilot focus groups. These were inSilwad (Central West bank) and Merka village in the northof the West Bank.

The information gathered by the task force was reviewedby the steering committee and it was decided to use thismethod for the purpose of gathering data. The focusgroup interview guidelines are shown in appendix 4,and guidelines for the conduct of groups in appendix 6.

The interviews were conducted by PRCS social workerspractising throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Thesesocial workers were employed in Primary Health Careand rehabilitation Centres. For the purpose of validity, atraining session was conducted with these social workerson how to facilitate and manage the community focusgroups.

The Process of Conducting Focus GroupsThe social workers carried out preliminary meetings withkey persons in the selected communities, to explain thepurpose of the study, and to facilitate the conduct of thefocus group interviews.

Specific dates were decided to conduct the focus groupsin villages, cities and camps. The importance of gendersensitivity was recognised as important in representingthe whole community (table 7). Cultural problems insome areas precluded the use of mixed focus groups.Therefore, in these areas, separate male/female groupswere facilitated, thereby safeguarding cultural andreligious sensitivity.

Membership of Community Focus GroupsIn order to ensure a full cross-section of the communities,representatives of the following were incorporated:

� Women

� Men

� The disabled

� The elderly

� Members of village councils

� Educationalists

� Religious persons

� Volunteers

� Health professionals

Table 7: Gender Distribution of Sample Groups by Location


To facilitate the collection of data from the groups, thesocial worker facilitators wrote down the informationon flip charts, in order to share emerging informationwith the groups, and to maintain the discussion as thepurpose of conducting the focus group.

The flip charts were also used to summarise thediscussions and responses to the guidelines and theresults of brainstorming, in order to maintain theconsensus of the group, about the issues and suggestionsrelated to the study.

In order to commence the initial data analysis at an earlystage, because this is qualitative data collection, a datasummary form (Appendix 7) was devised prior to theinterviews and the social workers were orientated to useit. The procedure adopted by the facilitators was toimmediately summarise and cluster information, so thatin the event of having to return to participants, this couldbe done in a timely manner. Follow-up interviewing addscredibility in 'checking out' questions related to primaryinterviews42.

The participants were informed at this stage that the datawould be analysed and that it might be necessary toconsult back with them on specific issues which werenot understood by the researchers.

All social workers participating in the focus groupinterviews met together, to discuss their experiences, theimpact of the study on them, and to provide their ownrecommendations. In addition, feedback on experiencedproblems and constraints was allowed to be shared.

Children and Youth Focus Groups

Eight Focus Groups were held in this group, five in theWest Bank and 3 in Gaza, and they consisted of 113children and youth. The geographical location wasdetermined through convenience, situated at the sitesof Youth Summer Camps in the West bank and Gaza.Convenience samples26 were recruited from the summercamp participants with the consent of their parents andthemselves, in order to fulfil ethical requirements ofresearch26. Particular care was taken to deal sensitivelywith young people with no applied pressure toparticipate, and the consent of parents was obtained.

The purpose of the children's/youth focus groups was toensure that representation of all age groups wasaddressed in this study.

Preparation for Children's Groups� Contact was made with organisations working with

children's programmes in the West bank and Gaza

� An invitation letter regarding the purpose of the focusgroups with children and youth was sent.

� The informed consent of parents and children wassecured.

� Dates on which focus groups could be facilitatedwere agreed.

� Request was made to them to use a suitable venuefor the conduct of the workshops.

� Artwork materials of the focus group meetings wereprovided and prepared in advance.

Method of Facilitating the Children/YouthGroupsThe same methodology as in the adult community groups,in terms of the interview guidelines, was employed.

Brainstorming of ideas relating to each of the guidelinepoints and information, was recorded on a flipchart. Thesame procedure for initial data analysis was followedby the facilitators, immediately following the session, asfeedback sought from participants as required.

Each child within the focus group was given paintingmaterials and was asked to paint or draw two pictures:1. What disaster means to you

2. What disaster preparedness means to you

Following this, each child was interviewed individually bythe social worker/facilitator and was asked to explain eachof these statements through the pictures they had drawn.

The rationale for using the artwork was to capture theirinterest and allow expression of ideas through drawing. Itis accepted that children can express ideas more usefullythrough this medium, rather than language alone. Examplesof some of this artwork can be seen in chapter 5.

The process of conducting Children's and Youth FocusGroupsIn a similar informal setting, the children and youthgroups were facilitated by a Social Worker. A separatetable was supplied with drawing and painting materials,and the children were informed that they would be ableto use them after the discussion.

Each question in the guideline was introduced in simpleformat. Following each question, discussion and idea-generation were encouraged. The main emerging issueswere recorded on a flip chart.

Following the focus group discussion, each child wasinvited to use the drawing/painting materials to drawtwo pictures: the first was to represent disaster to themand the second to represent preparedness. The name,age and address of each child were recorded on thepictures. Children were then interviewed individuallyby the social worker, to gather information about whatthe picture meant to them. A record of each interviewwas kept. The purpose of using the drawings as a basisfor interviewing, was to allow expression of cognitiveprocesses to be represented in picture form, aroundwhich the child could describe perceptions.

Community Focus GroupsInterviews were facilitated by a Social Worker from theconcerned area, in a setting within the community suchas a youth club, clinic, school, village hall etc. Informal

31Methodology

groups were convened and the questionnaire guidelineswere used. Each question was posed to the group whothen engaged in discussion and brainstorming. Mainissues relating to each question were recorded on a flipchart. Interviews ranged from 90 to 120 minutes.

Immediately following these interviews, the interviewerbegan analysis of the data onto a pre-designed form,that allowed for initial sorting, and timely return toparticipants for clarification (see appendix 7).

Following the discussion each participant was asked tocomplete the Likert Scale questionnaire tool shown inAppendix 12.Conducting Interviews:

Ministry and Institution InterviewsTask Group members facilitated these. The rationale forthis choice was so that interviewers had credibility with'high-level players' by having an in-depth understandingof the methodologies used within the VCA.

Validity and Reliability� All stages of the research process were developed by

Participatory approach, involving all members of theTask Group.

� Analysis was an integral part of an Action-Researchapproach that began from the start, with constantevaluation-redirection- action-evaluation.

� Analysis stages of the study included the involvementof other experts such as the Disaster Preparednessteams of both the Syrian and Jordanian Red CrescentSocieties.

� Pilot studies were conducted to establish the validityof the interview guidelines

� Community Focus Group approach was piloted inwhich the strategy was tested. This was valuable inidentifying problems in the use of videotape, whichwas intended to give explanatory information aboutthe nature of disasters. Findings indicated that thisbiased the children's' view away from otherpotentially-significant categories of disaster.

� Community Focus Group Interviewers were giventraining, prior to conducting the Focus Groups.

� Task Group members were given training in personalinterview techniques, prior to interviewing keyministry people.

� Sampling was determined according to the purposeof the inquiry and documented with rationales.

� Sampling included consideration of geography andcommunity types such as village, city and refugeecamps. It also represented gender, age and specialneeds groups.

� Information to children's groups was presented in asimplified form allowing for the special needs ofdealing with children in research.

� Validation included research methodology auditingby experts, such as Federation DP DepartmentResearchers.

� Return to participants for validation of unclear orambiguous information collected.

� Interviews with social workers during the interviewprocess was facilitated to highlight obstacles,problems, implications, and to monitor process.

� Experts were consulted at strategic points in theresearch process to gather feedback regardingmethodology, natural disasters, Emergency ResponseUnits and analysis.

� Principal researchers undertaking this VCA study haveappropriate research methods, knowledge andexperience.

Method of Analysis of Data

Qualitative AnalysisA Data Analysis Retreat was organized for the Task Groupto meet in another town, away from the day-to-dayinterruptions of office life (Figure 4 & 5). The objectivefor this week was to complete the bulk of the analysiswork and plan the first draft of the report. Experience ofthe mass of emerging qualitative data indicated that thisobjective was unrealistic. This bears out the findings ofPhillips & Pugh (1996)29 who maintain that in research,short and long-term goals may need to be adjusted.Therefore, it was redefined to achieve 'sorting' of maincategories and begin the reduction process by clustering,making notes of obvious features emerging from the data,for further discussion. This was then addressed in a furtherdata analysis retreat in Amman.

Data from ministry, community focus group andchildren's groups was transferred to data collectionsheets, with initial sorting completed.

The initial sorting of the qualitative data indicated anumber of categories that occurred in all three groupsand these were used as the starting point. It was decidedto use the walls of a large room to mount data bits onthem. The value of this method allows for sorting andseeing which may be ideal for focus group approaches.In this, discussion is important to think through thecomplexities of relationships between categories (Dey1996)30.

Figure 4: The Task Group in Data Analysis in Gaza using thewall as a field to theme and cluster. The methods allowed a

panoramic view for discussion and connection.


P r i n c i p l ec a t e g o r i e swere moun-ted, and thedata bitsderived fromthe interviewswere attac-hed under theappropriatecategory. Thiswas done foreach of thethree maingroups usingone wall foreach, andlabelling themWall A, B & C(figure 5).Such a

strategy allowed the data to be able to be viewed by allparticipants in the analysis process. Each 'data bit' wasalso given a reference number for identification andreferencing as evidence during the analysis and reportwriting. For example, on the children's wall 'C', a data biton the third row and fifth in the column would bereferenced C3/5. The method facilitated comparison andtheory generation (Gregory 1998)31 and gave efficientaccess to information during the sorting processes.

When all data was mounted in categories, a process ofdata reduction through clustering was commenced. Thethree sets of wall-mounted data were considered in relationto each of the interview guideline questions and theobjectives of the study. Connections were made; noting

Figure 5: Wall mounted Themes andData bits in Arabic and English

similarities and differences in gathered information relatingto each of the categories. As a continuous process, groupswere asked to consider 'what is the data saying to us' notingthe obvious features for further discussion.

The Focus Group reached a period of confusion in lookingfor further direction in analysis. It was important to returnto the objectives of the study, to clerify, that it was about'the role of the PRCS', and accordingly, to 'advocate for aNational plan'.

Confusion and learning may be related. Thelan (1960)32

maintains that significant learning is often accompaniedby discomfort and Joyce & Weill (1986)33 postulate that astudent does not learn unless he is faced by not knowinghow to respond.

Focus Group learning emerged to formulate a plan, whichallowed the objectives to be met. An example is shown intable 8. The evidence required was cross-referenced fromwall-mounted data from all three sources. This wouldenable both the PRCS and other players to realize whatrealistic roles each can perform. In addition, it acts as abasis for negotiating how to get the identified needs intothe disaster preparedness and response function. It may bethrough partnerships with the PRCS, in providingappropriate training for community-based volunteerresponders, or the ownership of different functions.

It is important to understand that this is a basis for discussionwith the Steering Committee and National Conference. Datais presented as information gathered from various sources,which may need clarification through the wider view ofthe 'whole of the picture' by connecting the findings to theexperience of the Steering Committee.

Table 8: Strategy for analysing data, showing here, as an example, the Role of the PRCS

PRCS PRCS Identified Needs to Who can provide What evidence isRole Capacity achieve capacity The needs? there from the data?

Awareness Can be provided by The PRCS cannot provide Volunteers if given Cross references fromPRCS staff & volunteers awareness in the remote appropriate training the wall-mountedin areas where there communities not close data bitsare clinics to a clinic

Can be provided as long PRCS cannot give assistance Volunteers if given Cross referencesas there is access to the tance in communities where appropriate training from the wall-concerned communities access becomes impossible mounted data bits

Trained staff Trained staff are needed in Volunteers if given Cross references fromtheir clinics appropriate training the wall-mounted

data bits

Awareness training in Field First Aid (Non- EMS training Cross references fromFirst Aid, equipment orientated) Field Medicine the wall-mountedHealth Promotion Water & sanitation training Specialist data bits

Shelter Water/SanitationBasic rescue Department

MOH/Civil DefCivil Defence

33Methodology

Quantitative AnalysisPurpose of the Quantitative ToolThe primary aim of the Quantitative Tool was to solicitinformation, on how a representative sample of thePalestinian population, perceives the probability of eachof the 21 hazards to occur.

Aim of the Quantitative AnalysisThe aim of the data analysis is to interpret consensus onthe level of the perceived probability of the occurrenceof the twenty-one hazards listed in the questionnaire. Tocope with the interpretation and identification process,statistical summaries of the responses were useful inputs.

Method of Quantitative AnalysisIn performing statistical analysis, it is important thatproper statistical techniques are used to avoid fallaciousconclusions. Central to this selection process is the givingof due consideration to the level of measurement. Thelevel of measurement of a variable is important becauseit limits the statistics that can be appropriately used onthe variable (Weisberg, 1992 p5).

Likert Scale data from the quantitative questionnaireswas entered into an SPSS database and was analysedaccording to age groups 15-18, 19-34, 35-54, and >55years. Analysis also included sorting to location such asthe North & South West Bank and the Jerusalem area.

Data was analysed by a professional statistician who usedthe Model Category Methodology. Data was ranked byexpected crisis to show the incidence ratio between themodes and the index of diversity. Statistical tests wereapplied.

The level of measurement used in this surveyquestionnaire is a 6-point scale with, cannot predict -unlikely - likely - more likely - most likely - sudden, ascategories. The Categories are ordered but non-numeric(that is, there is no indication of distance between them).Hence, metric analysis should be excluded. Integerscoring to assign numbers to the categories ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5and 6 respectively) is used simply to facilitate their storageand analysis on the computer.

Before computing statistical summaries of the data, theorganization of data into frequency distribution is useful.Each category is listed with its corresponding frequency(that is, the number of responses falling into thatcategory). Frequency distribution can be portrayedeffectively in tabular or graphic form, allowingexamination and description on the pattern of theresponses to be made.

More importantly, frequency distribution has twooutstanding features that make it an appropriatetechnique to use at this level of the investigation: it allows

the distribution of responses for a variable to besummarized by computing the typical value (point ofcentral tendency) and it can be seen how typical thatvalue is (measure of spread). Computing the center andspread will permit the objective identification ofconsensus and the quantitative comparison ofprobabilities of the occurrence of the hazards.

There are three common methods of describing andlocating the central tendency of a distribution, namely,mean, median and mode. However, some are onlyappropriate on certain occasions. It is, therefore,important that the method be appropriate to the problem(Hammond et al., 1970 p62).

The measure of central tendency indicating the categorythat contains the largest number of responses is the mode.In the context of this investigation, the mode measuresthe most typical category and, therefore, objectivelyshows what the consensus on the probability of a hazardto occur is. For example a hazard having “most likely”as the modal category means more respondents agreeingto “most likely” than to “more likely” or “likely” or“sudden” or “unlikely” or “can not predict”. Given thatidentification of such a consensus is one of the focalpoints of the investigation, this makes the selection ofthe mode as the measure of central tendency appropriatefor this investigation.

Measures of SpreadThe organization of the data into frequency distributionand computing the central tendency is ordinarily notcompletely satisfactory to describe a set of response data.It is quite important to know their variability (or spread).The need arises mainly from the fact that distributionsmay have similar centres but differ widely in the amountof variation present. Measuring the centre finds thetypical value for a variable, while measuring thevariability or spread of the response distribution tells howtypical that value is.

It is important to put this in the perspective of the primaryaim of this investigation. The mode identifies what theconsensus on the probability of a hazard to occur is. Itpermits the organization of the hazards as most likely tooccur or otherwise. In addition, measuring how typical'most likely' is, will permit the interpretation of the extentof the consensus and the exact comparisons of theprobability of the most likely hazards to occur.

There is no single agreed-upon frequency-based measureof spread (Weisberg, 1992 p74). We have used twomeasures for the purpose, namely, the variation ratio andthe index of diversity. Information relating to this analysisis given in Appendix 13, whilst pie chart representationof the main results is shown in figures 7 - 16.

35

The findings of this inquiry are based upon a comparison of qualitative data frominterviews with the following three main groups:� Ministry/Institution representatives� Community Focus Gr oups� Children and Youth Focus GroupsTo support this information, quantitative data from the Likert scale questionnairetool has been analysed to support qualitative findings about hazards in this study.A statistician conducted analysis and the pie chart representation of results is shownin this chapter in figures (7 - 16). Specific data related to distribution of questionsanswered by participants is presented in appendix 13. The major findings emergingfrom the inquiry are listed below.

Major Findings1. There is a need to integrate local community in identifying needs. They need to

participate in the planning process in order to mitigate the impact of disaster andfacilitate meeting their own needs.

2. Volunteers are a major capacity in the area of Disaster Preparedness.3. Coordination and cooperation between ministries/institutions is the most effective

means of preparedness through identifying roles and authorities. There is no clearplan for the country, as a whole, and coordinated National Planning does not currentlyexist.

4. There is a lack of specialized personnel, coordination, money and materials.5. There are capacities in materials, information and human resources that could be

utilized and benefited from.6. Disaster Preparedness as a concept or plan is not on the agenda for national

organizations because of the political situation, which creates different priorities.7. The main vulnerabilities identified by all groups were Drought, Earthquakes, Political

conditions, environmental problems and lack of water.8. The Palestinian community are suffering from lack of water, water pollution and

Drought that needs urgent attention.9. Children, women and the elderly were classed as the most vulnerable in a society in

disaster.10. The geographical distribution of Palestine has led to a gap in managing programmes,

especially in preventive and tracing programmes.11. The expectations of the local community for the role of Ministries and NGO's,

based on their experiences of their needs, appears realistic.12. Through the VCA study, Ministries and NGO's need to develop specific programmes

for disaster preparedness-identifying responsible sections of their organization andimplementing them.

13. Ministries and NGO's are very willing to cooperate in defining their roles in developingfuture programmes.

14. The centralized planning and cooperation involved in conducting the VCA, identifieda large gap in not having a national DP plan.

15. A large communication gap is formed between the local community and ministries/institutions in the mechanism of preparedness, in terms of expected hazards fordisaster.

16. Local community capacities could be utilized for prevention and preparedness.17. Direct intervention by communities, institutions and the community is required, to

reduce water shortages and pollution.

The main findings emerging from the study relate to five main categories of disasterpreparedness:� Communities� Coordination & Cooperation� Hazards and disaster� Capacities and Preparedness� Vulnerabilities

Chapter 4 Data Analysis and Findings of the Inquiry


Table 9: Correlation of the five DP categories with the 17 major study findings

Findings Vulnerabilities Communities Coordination Hazards Capacities(identified by & Cooperation & Disaster & Preparednessnumber)

1 x x x x

2 x x

3 x x

4 x x

5 x x

6 x x x

7 x x x

8 x x

9 x x

10 x x x

11 x

12 x x

13 x x

14 x

15 x x x

16 x x

17 x x x

From this table it can be seen that the focus of DPdevelopment should be through addressing coordinationand cooperation, increasing capacities and preparednessthrough vulnerability study and involvement of thecommunity itself. These findings are useful in relation tothe objectives of the study, which included advocatingfor a National Disaster Plan.

Qualitative FindingsExpected HazardsThe analysis the qualitative data in this area of theinquiry shows correlation between whole study group(local community, children's community, governmentaland non-governmental institutes) and the quantitativeresults derived from analysis of the questionnaire toolin table 10.

Table 10: Comparison of Current and Expected Hazards

Qualitative Quantitative (Rank Order) Quantitative (Rank(Perceived to becurrently Order)being experienced) (Expected Hazards)

West Bank and West Bank Gaza West Bank and GazaGaza Strip

1. Drought 1. Water Shortage 1. Water shortage 1. Floods

2. Conflict 2. Political Conflict 2. Political conflict 2. Snow

3. Environmental 3. Car accidents 3. Open sewage 3. Epidemics

4. Air Pollution 4. Water Pollution4. Famine

5. Pollution 5. Food poisoning 5. Electrical shocks

6. Fires 6. Car accidents 6. Forest fires

7. Earthquake 7. Social conflict 7. Nuclear accidents

8. Disease 8. Technical/labour accident

9. Epidemics 9. Landslide

10.Floods 10. Environmental pollution

11. Animal diseases

12. Insecticides

13. Drought

These are shown correlated to the 17 major findings in Table 9 below.

37Recommendations

Table 11:Expected Hazards and Their Location

Expected Hazards Location in Palestine

Environmental disasters including Near settlements, industrialized areas (Selfeet,pollution Tulkarem, Agriculturalareas, crushing plants, Gaza

beaches, crowded areas (Gaza)

Earthquakes, landslides, cracks in Jordan river course until the Arab valley, Jericho andthe earth surface Dead Sea,Tiberias, the fault line between Africa andAsia, Hebron and the south, 1948 areas, Nablus, Al-

Fare'h, camps and high towers

Wars, confrontation with the All the timeoccupied troops, settlements

Explosions and fires Wood Areas, Factories, Sewage, Wastes, Gazatowers, Camps and over populated areas.

Water problems (drought, pollution, salty water) Bethlehem, Hebron, Southern areas of the WestBank, Gaza, Tulkarem, Eastern heights, Agriculturalareas.

Epidemics and contagious diseases Exposed sewage places, Environmental pollution inagricultural areas, Gaza, Camps

Floods, snow Low areas, beaches, valleys, Jericho, plain area,desert areas, heights that are more than 850 meters(Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron)

Nuclear radiations Hebron, areas close to Demona reactor and to theborder with Israel situated in the south

Building Collapse Gaza, Ramallah

Work accidents, Industrialized Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Building sector,accidents establishments, public areas.

Road accidents West Bank and Gaza generally

Mines West Bank, Jericho, Jenin

Food pollution All over

Over population Ramallah, Khoor

Weather Conditions All over

Domestic Violence Refugee camps, particularly in Gaza

Desertification West bank, Al-Akhwar

Open sewage/sanitation Refugee camps in the West Bank. Khan Younis Cityand refugee camps in Gaza.

Water Pollution Gaza

Predisposing & Exacerbating FactorsIn addition, the following were identified as factors thatwould impact upon the events identified above:� Electricity supplies

� Building collapse

� Sewage and sanitation

� Poverty

� Animal diseases

� Nuclear accidents

� Food poisoning

� Overpopulation

� Family violence

� Desertification

Expected Hazards and Their Potential Locations


��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Vulnerable GroupAn important factor in assessing the vulnerability andcapacities of a given community is to define the vulnerablegroups. Within this study, the vulnerable groups emergedthrough the interview of the communities, Ministries andInstitutions and are shown in figure 6.

Children

The fact that children cannot make decisions forthemselves, renders them dependent upon the adultcommunity through parents, family members, teachersand community/religious leaders. They are exposed inthis society to specific fears and may not understand theglobal events causing these fears. The nature of the eventsrelating to the political situation makes it likely thatunpleasant occurrences will touch them throughincidents involving family or extended family members.It is also significant that children form the majority ofPalestinian society, and by their sheer number arevulnerable. The impressionable nature of children alsomakes them dependent upon older people as rolemodels. The current troubles are significantpsychological effects for their development.

Figure 6: Vulnerable Groups in Palestine as defined by theCommunity, Ministries and Institutions

addition, unemployment is a serious problem affectingyoung people resulting in potential loss of morale.

Factors aiding the occurrence of DisasterA useful finding of the study identified the aiding factors,which could be contributory in the occurrence of adisaster and may have a large influence on the society

The interviewed groups identified that whilst there arenatural factors that the human being cannot interferewith, they can make some preventive procedures thatcan mitigate the effects. In this, there are initiatives whichinstitutions and the community can develop to eliminateor reduce effects, if programmes and plans are introducedto mitigate them:

Natural factors and the current situation:

� Presence in the area on the active fault line.

� Increase of the percentage of salt in water.

� Weather changes

� Lack of rain

� Nuclear radiations

� Geographical nature (mountains, hills)

� Electrical towers

� Difficulty of communication and interconnectionbetween the governorates

� Conflicts on water resources

� Settlements

� Political considerations in executing projects

Factors which could be eliminated:

� High populations especially in Gaza

� Lack of awareness regarding disasters andpreparedness for them.

� Shortage of preventive disasters

� Dependence on the Israeli economy

� Infrastructure, Electricity, Roads, Sewage

� Lack of experience for the Palestinians to facedisasters and the shortage of qualified staff.

� Absence of special legislations designed for disasterpreparedness

� Mine fields

� Use of sewage in agriculture

� Poisonous wastes and sewage water for thesettlements.

� Closeness of the factories form the populated areas

The Influence of Disaster on the PalestinianCommunityThe study showed that the effects of disaster on the Palestiniancommunity would fall into the following five groups:� Clinical Health

� Psychological

� Social

� Economic

� Infrastructure

Elderly

Old people have a special place in Palestinian societywithin the extended family related to cultural beliefs.They are dependent upon younger family members tohouse and provide for them. Poverty is likely to have amore severe effect on these members of society due totheir frailty. The elderly are often sick and infirm or invalidrendering them vulnerable and dependent.

Women

In various parts of this society women may be dependentupon men to varying degrees. In many cases much timeis spent within the home where they may be responsiblefor caring for large families of children and elderlyrelatives. This in itself can provide stress.

Youth

The youth are particularly at risk as they face mosthazards on a daily basis and in the current troubles maybe more likely to be exposed to dangerous situations. In

39Recommendations

Table 12: Influences of Disaster on the Palestinian People

General Health Psychological Social Economical Infrastructure

-Severe injury- -Physiological -Increased -Limited incomes -Destruction ofparalysis,mutilation, disorders illiteracy rate streets cracksburns, fractures in the earth

-Increase of -Increased anxiety. -Dispersion, -Lack of -Electricity netmass percentage homelessness, employment and interruptionmortality rate internal and livelihood

externaldisplacement

-Abortion -Concentration -Child neglect -Lack of capacities -Destruction ofloss and poor to face the events sewage/waterdecision-making network

-Spreading of -Suicide -Child labour -Lack of effective -Destruction ofdiseases services agricultural

wealth

-Chemical food -Amnesia -Lack of entertainment -Absence of labour -Destruction ofpoisoning and staff education

system

-Loss of immunity -Spread of fear -Absence of social -Lack of raw -Destruction of and physical values materials hospitals and abilities shortage of

beds

-Respiratory -Carelessness -Absence of social -No harvests -Loss ofinfections awareness and strategic stores

belonging for medicines and food

-Reverting to -Isolation and -Political detention - Loss of private -Absence ofalternative loss of security and riots belongings communicationmedicine infrastructure

-Absence of -Aggressive -Increased crime -Wastage of -Destruction ofPrimary Care behaviour rate resources and shelters(especially energyvaccination)

-Loss of -Polygamy -Collapse of highconfidence buildings

-Absence of -Non-Marriagerehabilitation phenomena

-Lack of enduranceand patience

-Neglect ofhandicapped groups

-Increase in poverty

-Dissipation of families and social structure

-Overpopulation

-Isolation of villagesand cities from each other

-Unfinished Schooling

-Influence ofprofessional morals

-Lack of basic services


Disaster PreparednessThe subject of Disaster preparedness was approachedin three parts with all groups in terms of “before”,“during” and “after” disaster.

The common themes identified for 'Before Disaster' weregrouped into six categories and can be seen in table13.

Table 13: Preparedness Themes Prior to Disaster Emerging from Focus Group Interviews

Social Levels Materialistic Levels Human Factors

-Community awareness -Completely equipped -Availing staff and specializedbrochures ambulances people

-Workshops -Food and materialistic -Training sectors of societysupport

-Professional safety -Water wells and tanks -Using working groups fordealing with disaster

-Guiding the consumption -Shelters and services -Field, professional andof natural resources to employees specialized surveys in all fields

-Professional specialized -Complete system forcourses emergencies

-Specialized Media Centre -Alarm system

-Physiological social -Safety depositspreparedness

-Determining hazards

-Arab solidarity

Coordination Laws and Legislation Research & Surveys

-Training and organizing -Generate a human concept -Preventive researchvolunteer work from officials towards people and social surveys

-Forming special -Giving legal standing for -Identifying capacities andcommittees for work disaster preparedness committees making statistics for it

-Availing staff for -Special legislation for establishing -Monitoring agriculturepreventive services an emergency rescue fund

-Direction and organization -Working on making -Studying ways forof staff legislation concerning better water use

public safety

-Availing needs for -Legislation for facilitating the -Creating a guideline for therescuers work of the voluntary and correct use of fertilizers

charitable organizations and chemicals

-Availing a fully equipped -Working on establishing study -Following up thecivil defence system and survey committees implications of building criteria

and implementation laws

-Establishing representative -Ensuring the selection of thecommittees for the country right people for the right jobs

-Exchanging experiences -Establishing a specializedlocally and internationally institute for DP

-Establishing organizingcommittees that link the -Palestinian authorities,institutions and people

-Cooperation andcoordination throughestablishing studies and surveys

41Recommendations

During Disaster

The groups divided this aspect of preparedness in to four groups, which are shown in table 14 below:

Table 14: Preparedness Themes During Disaster Emerging from Focus Group Interviews

Organizational Level Materialistic Level-Fast thinking and action when disaster occurs -Availing ambulances and equipment for work-Considering professional safety in response to the event Building wells, water tanks and shelters-Forming committees for follow-up and organization-Maintaining cooperation and coordinationbetween different committees-Maintaining systems-Imposing quarantine in epidemic-Human Resources Level of Services-Forming rescue teams for assistance -Announcing cases emergency-Conducting training for vulnerable people in -General mobilization and preparedness the field of disease and First Aid-Calling for first abiders, police and institutes, -Offering prompt service and intervention which provide services

-Donating blood-Building field hospitals-Offering field hospitals, first aid and vaccination-Determining the size ofdisaster and damage-Establishing a National Board for Disasters

Table 15: Preparedness Themes Post-Disaster Emerging from Community Focus group Interviews

Level of Services Instruction and Awareness Studies, surveys & projects Coordination

-Conducting -Conducting different -Investigating in accidents, -Coordinating betweeneducational services awareness and which have happened due all concerned authorities

educational programmes to technical reasons, and in evaluating achievedto deal with the impact instituting applied work and makingof the disaster programmes official reports

-Organizing relief -Applying community- -Preparing and presenting -Coordinatingprogrammes for the based programmes to comprehensive urban internationally formost vulnerable assist people to integrate development projects the utilization ofthrough social affairs and accept the current foreign resourcesand NGO's situation and technical aid-Rehabilitating -Providing consultation to -Planning projects to study -Coordinating between roads the private sector to help the impact of disaster on marine police, Ministry

them in reactivating their buildings likely to fall of Industry and Environ-economic situation ment at crossing points,

to prevent smuggling-Providing security -Tracing missing persons -Applying projects for -Coordination betweenfor citizens and in cooperation with IFRC collecting water in Ministry of Educationtheir properties response to water and Environment to

restrictions conduct waternetwork examination

-Offering assistance -Treating sewage and for the vulnerable salty water-Conducting mobileclinics and rehabilitationfor hospitals.-Reaching the needyand deprived inisolated places- Rehabilitating sewage-Rehabilitating waterand electricity networks

After Disaster

Post-disaster themes were also divided into four categories and identified in table 15.


Local Community Preparedness andCapacitiesDisaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation of thenegative impacts of disaster require a great deal of effortfrom the Palestinian Community, government andNGO's. The study showed an awareness of the necessityto capitalize on the human and material capacitiesavailable in the community. Where such capacities canbe found in villages, cities and camps, they can bemobilized in a participatory manner with institutes,Ministries and all community groups, if planned carefully.

Table 16 shows the local capacities and potential usesidentified by the community focus groups. This is animportant realization that items and resources may be

utilized in many different ways other than their originalintended use. For example, water tanks are intended tocontain water supplies for households but could also beseen in the category "container" which immediatelyincreases the potential capacities for this item in disaster.

In like manner, mosques are places of prayer but if wechange their category to "covered meeting places" thenmany other possibilities become apparent, such asshelter, first-aid centre, awareness mechanism,communications and information dissemination.

This indicates that the processes involved in this inquiryfacilitated the connections between actual capacities anddisaster preparedness thinking, to increase PRCScapacity.

Table 16: Local Capacities and Potential Capacities Identified by Community Focus Groups

Local community Public Squares Water Tanks

-Transporting people -Centres for sheltering and -Storing water when it is cut off most affected by disaster housing

-Rebuilding -Using them for farming -Domestic farming

-Collecting donations -Awareness -Extinguishing fires

-Offering assistance -Using them as field hospitals -Protecting tanks from pollution

-Offering social aid -To gather volunteers -Using rain water

-Places of instruction -Equity of distributing water

-Using them as shopping and farming places

-Collecting donations

Mosques Charitable Societies Clubs

-Preaching religious -Awareness and guidance -Training the youthlessons and prayer

-Awareness -Collecting donations -Establishing First Aid Rooms

-Making First aid -Education -Awareness and promotion forand treatment centres children and youth

-Informing people -Treatment services

-Sheltering and -Sheltering places -Assisting in rescue servicehousing

-Gathering volunteers -Evacuation -Source of Volunteers

-Building shelters -Shelters

-Communicating -Shopping centres

Cars Specialists and professionals Volunteers

-Ambulances -Coordinating the health and -Collecting donationstreatment work

-Fire extinguishers -Community awareness -Assisting people in disaster

-Police -Providing aid and -Coordinating health workservices to citizens

-Transporting the injured -Preserving the environment -Teaching community awareness

-Medium for communication -Volunteering -Evacuating casualties

-Informing people about disaster -Providing first-aid

-Re-building and rehabilitation,building dams

-Giving psychological support

-Monitoring events

43Recommendations

Kindergartens Schools Health Clinics

-Preparing places -Setting educational curriculum -Supplying medicinesfor Palestinian children. and equipment

-Conducting awareness and -A source of community -Providing treatment fortraining the injured.

-Means of -Forming student based networks -Offering direct assistancecommunication with to assist specialists in DPpeople. programmes.

-Shelters -Mother and child care

-Treatment areas -First Aid and Emergencies

-Providing psychological support.

-Community awareness

-Vaccinations.

Municipalities and Hospitals Policevillage councils

-Building and repairing -Lending hospital equipment -Defending the countryelectricity networks

-Availing volunteers -Receiving patients -Preserving public security

-Informing concerned -Making sheltering centers -Protecting property. people

-Providing fire extinguishers -Undergoing treatment and surgery -Preventing traffic and drowning accidents.

-Instructing awareness -Providing medicines. -Resolving problems between people.

-Availing transportation -Raising awareness and promotion. -Registering and verifying information.

-Building roads -Providing health staff

-Supplying people -Ensuring reasonable priceswith the necessary for treatment.equipment

- Carry out sewage treatment

-Building dams

-Keeping levelsof sanitation safe

-Cleaning streets

-Providing watersources

-Building librariesfor children

-Knowing peoples'needs

-Ensuring therehabilitation ofinfrastructure

-Assessing damage and needs

-Assisting serviceproviders, making sheltersfor disaster

-Assisting affected people


How to Respond to Disaster and the Basic Requirements NeededDisaster is characterized by disorganization and randomness. There are casualties, people wandering from oneplace to another. Social perversions can be seen such as burglary, rape and a lack of social system. In addition,there is loss of family ties, people and buildings. In order to address some of these to the community and institutions,the local community focus groups communicated the ideas identified in table 17.

Table 17: Community Ideas for Responding to Disaster

Organizational Level Materialistic Level Human Resource Level Service Level

-Quick thinking in case of disaster -Providing extinguishers -Organizing rescue teams -Announcing emergenciesfor assistance

-Considering professional safety -Providing equipment -Calling first-aiders from -Calling for public Red Crescent, police and mobilization service institutes

-Cooperating and coordinating -Building wells and -Offering quick and between different committees water tanks emergency services

-Forming committees for follow -Building shelters -Making blood donations

-up and organization -Field hospitals andvaccinations

-Distributing tasks -Defining disaster anddamages

-Enforcing law

-Enforcing quarantine in caseof epidemic

-Conducting an internationalcouncil for Disasters

The Palestinian community, through the focus groups, defined basic requirements for quick intervention in disasterto be provided by institutions and are shown in table 18.

Table 18: Requirements for Rapid Interventions in Disaster by Institutions suggested by Community Focus Groups

Social Level Materialistic Level Human Resources-Awareness brochures -Fully equipped ambulances -Providing staff and expertise

-Workshops -Food and material support -Training groups of society

-Professional safety -Water tanks and wells -Appointing working staff

-Consuming of natural resources -Shelters -Groups for dealing with psychological,in careful manner social and economic problems

-Professional specialist courses -Fully equipped emergency -Specialized and professionaldepartments surveys in all fields

-Alarm equipment-Safety deposits

-Defining budgets

Coordination Laws & Legislation Surveys and Research-Organizing work of volunteers -Human view of officials towards -Performing researchers and social surveys

citizens for different groups in society

-Activating special committees -Making a law for DP committees -Limiting capacities and conducting statisticsto work in emergencies continuously

-Employing specialists -Making law for relief funds. -Updated standards to monitor agriculture

-Providing preventive, -Executing laws designated for -Guides to use water wiselyservice and therapeutic staff public safety

-Central operating units for instructions -Laws for establishing voluntary, -Correct use of insecticidesand organizations charitable institutes to help people in

case of disasters

-Providing needs for rescuers -Activating the role of ministries and -Laws for monitoringinstitutes for law formation building

-Forming committees representing -Forming committees to study and -Establishing a Departmentcommunities trace needs for people affected for DP in each national

by disaster institute

-Benefiting from experiences,both local and international

-Generalizing information betweeninstitutes

-Forming committees to study and trace needs for people affected by disaster

45Recommendations

Analysing Roles and Capacities

for Governmental/Non-

Governmental InstitutionsIn considering roles and capacities, both focus groupswithin the community and Institutions themselves wereinterviewed. Whilst the Ministries have a leading role inplanning, all ministries and institutions agreed duringinterview that this was one of the main roles designatedto them. They all considered that some form of legalbase was a necessity for them in the field of DP.

An interesting factor was that the community focusgroups identified the same roles for all ministries as theministries themselves, with the addition of the materialsupport for disasters. These organizations emphasizedthat community awareness regarding DP and DR lieswith Government and NGO's equally, according to theirspecialties and the capacities available.

The recruitment and development of human resourcesin DP and response was considered one of the mainways to enrich their specialist work and increaseeffectiveness. However, these human resource capacitieswere considered insufficient in all concerned institutes.

Ministry of InteriorThe responsibility lies on this ministry to establish aspecial system to secure good social and economicsecurity standards in case of a disaster, which will protectpeople's lives and properties. In addition, they areresponsible for establishing follow-up of fieldwork andinformation concerned with disasters.

The ministry representatives considered one of the mostimportant roles was population registration after adisaster. Also, it contributes in providing demographicinformation from the information base that it has,announcing the state of emergency and defining the rolesof the participating institutes. It also has a role inproviding plans for civil defence and the Palestiniansecurity authorities.

Ministry of Environmental AffairsCapacities include the environmental emergency centreto define hazards and detect specific disasters andidentify ways of dealing with them. It also has animportant informative environmental system for planningand presents studies regarding mines and Israelienvironmental violations. The ministry also conductsspecial procedures to prevent pollution and monitorwaste materials (Chemical, nuclear).

The ministry contributes in analysing the environmentalsituation and enforcing designated rules for the environment.In terms of Disaster Preparedness and Prevention, awarenessis considered one of the most important roles that the ministryof environment can perform.

Ministry of CommunicationThe local community focus groups and children's' groupsagreed on the important role of the ministry ofcommunication in providing connections between areasin case of disaster, providing news about disasters andhazard mapping.

Ministry of HousingDespite the fact that designed projects in reality havenot yet been funded, the Ministry has a major role inissuing and policing building laws (codes). It alsoestablishes reserve-housing units that can be used afterthe occurrence of a disaster.

Ministry of MediaRole of the ministry of media, agreed upon by societiesand institutions in the occurrence of a disaster, is incoordination between working forces, awareness andinstruction for citizens about how to act. It also has arole in preparing studies and research in awareness anddissemination, issuing brochures concerning naturalphenomena, which may lead to a disaster.

Ministry of EducationIt has a main role in putting the concept of DP in schoolcurriculums and conducting DP awareness programmesinside schools. The resource of school social workerscould be used in dealing with psychological traumasafter disaster. The schools themselves could serve thepurpose of temporary shelters.

Ministry of Social AffairsIt was clear from the children and local communities thatthe role of the ministry of social affairs lay in availingassistance in money and kind along with the protection ofwomen, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

Following disaster, its role lies in preparing specialrehablitation programmes for the groups damaged by adisaster, fighting poverty, and perversions, and tracingmissing people, in cooperation with other concernedinstitutes.

Ministry of SuppliesIn the pre-disaster phase, its major role is in identifyingstores and warehouses, to store food with a minimumreserve for six months. The post-disaster, role lies inmonitoring shops, fighting monopolies, monitoring pricesand corruption. In addition, it conducts awareness andpromotion programmes for both suppliers and consumers.

Ministry of Local GovernmentThe ministry provides basic services like water, electricity,waste disposal and sewage to local communities andrebuilds these services in case of damage.


A pre-disaster role is in compelling building owners tobuild shelters in municipalities, following legal standards.It is also responsible for emergency alerts in cooperationwith civil defence. It is responsible for conductingcommunity-based awareness campaigns, through localcouncils. The ministry also ensures the benefit is madefrom local resources, specifying community needs andcoordinating between village councils andmunicipalities.

Ministry of Public LabourThe capacity of equipment, such as bulldozers, givesthe ministry possibilities in intervention during and aftera disaster, where its role would be in removing ruins,building temporary shelters, building dams and bridges.Its possession of a data network about roads repair status,helps in opening these roads after a disaster, incoordination with the ministry works and the civildefence.

Ministry of LabourThe main roles identified for the ministry of labour, asdescribed by the ministry itself, is in identifying safetyand professional health units in addition to dealing withdangerous wastes.

Ministry of HealthThe ministry of health has a role in maintaining adatabase about the available capacities to face a disaster,designating a reserve budget for emergencies anddisasters. In addition, it is also perceived by the localcommunity and children to have a role in vaccinations,treatment services and coordination with other healthinstitutions in Palestine. It also maintains rules and healthlegislation and performs awareness campaigns to limitthe effects of disaster.

Ministry of FinanceThe role of the ministry of finance is represented infinding a mechanism for disaster response, through anaccounting system which covers emergencies financially,in preparing the public budget for the state. The ministryalso monitors this mechanism in the spending of moneythat is presented to the authority to cover emergencycases and the collection of international donations.

Ministry of IndustryThe role of the ministry of industry is represented inpromoting international industry standards. It isresponsible for ensuring the treatment of industrial wastesand materials and, recycling. Post-disaster has a role inpreparing plans to rebuild industries.

Ministry of AgricultureThe ministry of agriculture has been highlighted by otherinstitutes as providing service loans and compensation

for farmers after a disaster. It also facilitates law tocompensate farmers through special funding to help themin rehabilitation and rebuilding, in case of a disaster.

It is responsible for building dams to collect water foruse in agriculture and treating salty water. The Ministrydistributes seeds for fruit trees and through its capacityof a counselling board, fights desertification.

Civil DefenceThe Civil Defence is mandated to provide national fireresponse, search, and rescue services. They also operatea limited fleet of ambulances that accopmany fireresponse. The Civil Defence takes the leading role inavailing the basic needs in case of disaster. It alsosupplies fire extinguishers, transportaion, and rapidintervention. Its role outside of disaster is anorganizational one that includes issuing licenses for gasand fuel stations. The Civil Defence also works withinstitutes and different ministries to effect rapidintervention adn awareness. It also heads the HigherCouncil for Emergency to coordinate the work of differentministries during emergency interventions.

In disaster, the Civil Defence has a key role in searchand rescue operations with medical support in on-sitestabilization of casualties. It has responsiblity for theestabishment of casualty clearing stations and casualtybureaus for inforamtion and communication.

The Civil Defence is an important part of an integratedemergency management apprach to a whole range ofdisaster situations including fires, floods and similarmajor catastrophes. It is a specialised service withtechnical personnel and equipmnet.

Palestinian Refugees Study CentreDiscussion with the centre showed potential to supporta complete study about the hazards and capacities inrefugee camps. Such a study was requested by peopleliving in the camps as they have a bank of data regardingthe status of the camps.

The Palestinian Board for Development &Rebuilding (Pecdar)Roles include availing budgets, building schools andhospitals, developing infrastructure, providing materialsupport, and assisting local boards, in the rehabilitationof infrastructure, in addition to training local boards.

Union of Medical Relief CommitteesIn addition to other health institutes that are in thecommunity, the Union of Medical Relief Committeesprovides various medical services to the community. Italso supports a college for training health and First Aidworkers.

47Recommendations

Geography and Earthquake EngineeringCentreIts role lies in formulating and promoting a PalestinianCode designated for earthquakes, and cooperates withlocal universities to come design a specialized academicprogramme.

International Movement for DefendingChildrenThe movement promotes physiological and socialdimensions for children and victims of political violencebefore and after disaster, both individually andcollectivelly. It does this through clearing minefields,mine awareness and preparing the community in dealingwith the minefields, before an actual Israeli withdrawalfrom the concerned areas.

Anera InstituteAnera is characterized by its capacities in the facilitationof bringing in supplies and equipment and, providingloans to those whose property is damaged. It alsosupports social, cooperative, productive and economicprogrammes.

UniversitiesThe local community, ministries, and children perceivethe role of the Palestinian universities as forming trainedgroups to work during a disaster. They also suggest thatthey could be used as shelters and ambulance centresduring & after a disaster. In addition, they see Universitiesas having a role in conducting studies and research intodisaster risks.

Palestinian Water AuthorityThe role of the water authority is in managing theavailable water resources, to resolve the problem ofdrought in Palestine, building water networks and drillingwells for water resources. It is also responsible forpurifying the sewage water for agriculture, as a solutionfor water shortage. The Authority acknowledges that itis not ready to face a water disaster. However, it hasplans for the water authority and works according to it,executing water projects.

Applied Research InstituteThe institute works on forming an International DisastersFund in coordination with the ministry of agriculture,conducting studies and publishing them. It alsocontributes in securing equipment for institutes andsupports other ministries in providing plans andevaluations in the environmental influence of someprojects.

ICRC (International Committee of RedCross)The role of ICRC during a disaster is in ensuring thecompliance of the Geneva Conventions for human rights,and providing assistance. It provides donations in kindand supports people during a disaster. The ministries seethese among its roles.

The presence of a commission of ICRC in Jerusalem andGaza has experience in dealing with disasters andassisting people, due to its easy movement. Thecooperation and coordination that is possible with theRed Crescent, assists in availing immediate healthservices.

Swedish Relief InstituteThe institute is characterized by its clear capacities forrecruiting material resources and its wide internationalconnections along with emergency satellite equipment.

UNRWAThe role of UNRWA lies in providing relief and admittingrefugees within Palestinian camps. Great capacities alsoexist in the camp community such as schools, clubs andclinics, which could be of benefit in case of disasters.These could be used as shelters, education and Reliefcentres. The large number of employees in UNRWAcould be utilized in volunteerism and relief alongsideother institutes.

The Capacities of Governmental and Non-Governmental OrganisationsThe main efforts of these, since the beginning of thebuilding of a Palestinian State, has been in rebuildinginfrastructure, destroyed due to the Israeli occupation.Capacities in DP have been identified in this process inhuman resources, and technical and financial expertise.

Legislation boards need to cooperate with the CivilDefence in order to facilitate public safety rules. Inaddition, available data as a capacity can assist indetermining public capacities in DP and these have beengrouped into four sections in this analysis:� Technical and Expertise Capacities

� Human Resource Capacities

� Rules and Legislation capacities

� Informative Capacities.

These categories are presented in detail in table 19 below.


Other Capacities:� The presence of the ICRC

� Good relationships with the local community

� Presence of the Red Crescent

� Presence of International Institutes.

The Role, Capacities and Needs of the PRCSBased on the study of available capacities and resources,there appears to be the need for an infrastructure toestablish specialized training programmes supported bythe Emergency Educational Center, trainers, first aidtraining equipment, and a curriculum taught in English.

The joint cooperation of the Palestinian institutesand thePRCS is considered one of the unique capacities for theinstitute, as it has specialized trainers in rescue, fromthe civil defence.

In order to be effectively responsive to DisasterPreparedness for the expected disasters, the Red CrescentSociety needs to conduct specialized training coursesin Arabic, and prepare a specialized training manual fora continuous training process. This would best beaccomplished through preparing specialized trainersaround the state in participation with the civil defence.

The PRCS has a number of specific capacities that areuseful and are shown in Table 20.

Table 19: Capacities of Governmental Institutions & NGO's

Technical & Expertise Capacities Human Resource Capacities

��Availability of habitation centres ��Various local resources

��Availability of centres for the elderly ��Civil Defence staff

��First Aid and Emergency experiences ��Health Staff

��Experiences in the research field ��Scout groups

��International Experiences ��Local expatriates

��Experiences in the DP field ��International and Institutional expatriates

��Administration hierarchy and an institutional system ��First aid staff

��Courses ��Number of researchers

��Environmental projects ��Health Committees

��Water purifying projects ��First aid teams

��Maps for cities and villages ��Volunteers

��Scholarships abroad

��Health and professional health programmes

Materialistic capacities Informative Capacities

��Presence of Civil Defence ��Guiding information for youth

��Branches for development and ministries ��Good communication network

��Professional training centre ��Presence of libraries and documentation centres for information

��Food storage ��Presence of studies regarding the environmental adjustments

��Equipped ambulances ��Study regarding landmines

��Funded projects ��Presence of International relations.

��Waste clearance stations ��Presence of educational curriculum.

��Free industry zone ��Presence of awareness and instructing materials.

��School Power Stations ��Presence of a database

��Money donations ��Presence of a Statistics department

��Money assistance ��Presence of studies about refugees

��Equipment and machines

��Primary Health Centres

49Recommendations

Community TrainingThe society aims to reach to the largest number ofbeneficiaries in the local community through applyingcommunity programmes, First Aid and Primary HealthCare centres, and training facilities, in cooperation withgovernmental and non governmental institutes. Thiscooperation is enhanced through resources in Arabic,the Balsam magazine and awareness leaflets in health &social education.

Employing large numbers of youth Emergency MedicalTechnicians(EMTs) is considered one of the mostimportant needs for Disaster preparedness for response.Older EMTs may have abilities and capacities that arelimited in facing a disaster. However, their experiencescan be used in directing and advising the youthtechnicians. Facing a disaster effectively requires greatstandards of fitness and ability in effective prevention.

VolunteersAlthough there are some volunteers to support EMTs,the society needs to recruit larger numbers, especiallyin remote areas and large cities to facilitate rapidintervention and to assist in DP operations.

In relation to this, training is required in first aid includingthe remote areas of Palestinian villages. In addition,information needs to be developed about theirexperience and location so that they can be contactedin emergencies and transferred from one site to anotheras required according to the nature of the emergency.The role of volunteers needs to be in training andpreparation in these communities.

DoctorsThere are large numbers of doctors who work in the RC

but for the purpose of DP and response, the availablenumbers are not sufficient. Specialized doctors for FirstAid in rescue operations and treatment services need tobe developed.

Establishing voluntary committeesThe Society works hard in facilitating volunteers tosupport the society programmes in facing disasters andmitigating their influences. However, its work dependslargely on volunteers and the lack of sufficient trainedvolunteers limits the efficiency of the First Aid andemergency staff.

To address this, the society must work on formingvoluntary community-based committees in differentgeographical areas (villages, cities, camps). Supportingthe different agencies in DP and organizing theperformance of volunteers is considered one of the mostimportant procedures, to increase the effectiveness ofinterventions and to assist the injured that are caused bydisasters.

Therefore, it is recognised that the Society needs to workon increasing the number of volunteers with the ministryof education and enhancing the profile of voluntary workfor students and facilitating their commitment, involuntary work.

Cooperation should be fostered with universities andnon-governmental institutes in joint programmes torecruit large numbers of volunteers who could contributeto Disaster Preparedness. Governmental organizations,like the ministry of health, could contribute in providingthe Red Crescent with volunteers for training in First Aidand pre-hospital services, where the local community isprepared to provide the society with volunteers forDisaster Preparedness training.

Table 20: Capacities of the PRCS

Rehabilitation Emergency Medical Services Primary Health Care

11 Rehabilitation centres 17 EMS Centres 20 PHC Centres

178 Rehabilitation workers 50 EMS Ambulances 32 Physiciansand specialists

Physiotherapists 230 Emergency Medical 24 Social Workers

Occupational Therapists Technicians 14 Nurses

Special Education 15 Lab Technicians

Total Communication 4 Assistant Pharmacists

Prevention

Community-based Rehab

Volunteers Social Services Hospitals

1,500 Volunteers distributed 17 Nurseries and Kindergartens 6 HospitalsThroughout the West bank andGaza PRCS branches

1 Elderly Care Home

2 Rehabilitation Centres for Girls 1 Emergency Response Unit

92 Social Workers Mental Health Care


The capacities of the local community are large when itcomes to providing trained specialized volunteers likedoctors, healthcare workers and administrators. Inaddition, there is a great potential capacity in the youthwho can be utilized through establishing organizedcommunity-based groups in Disaster Preparednessprogrammes built on the local community.

Blood BankEstablishing the Blood Bank is considered one of themost important programmes that the Society can pursue.To this end, the Society has put a very ambitious planinto action, to found a Blood Bank based on a decisionfrom the executive office in the Society. The building isunder construction at present. The Society has resourcesin the Blood Transfusion operation for running thisprogramme, in addition to volunteers and the supportof various Departments. However, it needs theequipment for Disaster Preparedness, and lacksspecialists for the blood bank laboratories. The role ofthe Blood Bank would be to provide blood for all theinjured in the event of disaster.

Cooperation with the Ministry of Health and otherministries in Blood services including databasedevelopment for donors, is considered an important areafor cooperation with ministries and non-governmentalinstitutions.

Related to the Blood Bank project, there is an importantrole in stimulating the local community, to participatethrough awareness campaigns in order to meet increasedneeds for blood donation in emergencies.

Hospitals/PHC/RehabilitationThe National Society operates five hospitals in Palestinewithin the northern and southern governorates, inaddition to twenty-eight PHC centres.

Thirteen rehabilitation centres provide health, social,physiological, rehabilitation services and trainingprogrammes for members of the local community.However, these capacities need development in orderto upgrade their preparedness for Disaster. In order tosupport other governmental Health institutes in Palestine,the Society needs to develop protocols and treatmentregulations for workers in DP. In addition, attention needsto be made to develop emergency rooms which areequipped to manage multiple casualties, in addition toavailing specialized staff from the local community asvolunteers, such as doctors, assistants and nurses.Hospital systems management also needs to bedeveloped to deal with disaster.

Developing the National Plan, with the involvement ofthe RC Society, can complement other healthprogrammes. The Society must develop theirprogrammes further, by adding the community basedDP programme within the PHC programmes, to build

capacities in DP through the Health Centres.

In terms of drug stores, the Society has one which meetsthe needs for the ambulances and Health clinics for aperiod of 6 months only, based on the Society's plan ofemergency adopted by the RC senior staff. However, theSociety must develop more medical stores so that thereare two in the north, two in the middle, and one in thesouth and two in Gaza. The one in the south wouldcover Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Dealing with Disasters requires specific practicalexperience from the Health centres. Currently, there areno specialists within the Society or other institutions andso there is a need to train personnel in the field medicalcomponents of DP, and give specialized courses toinclude prevention and mitigation, in cooperation withother ministries and institutes.

Training is considered one of the most importantcapacities among institutes for dealing with disasters andmitigating their effects. An important point is that allcurrent community-based training within the Societydoes not take into consideration DP.

This suggests that Society must conduct appropriateperiodical courses, in cooperation with International andlocal experts. These courses should target volunteers andbe based on an instruction manual for use in communitytraining.

The society should develop its Internet resources toensure up to date information in modern developments.In addition, it should embark upon studies in whichanalysis can be made of expected hazards, so that two-way sharing can be pursued with other institutes.

Contributions in Fire-fighting, Sheltering,EvacuationThe buildings, which belong to the Society, can be usedfor sheltering the injured so as to assist hospitals and clinics.The society needs doctors, nurses and volunteers in theseplaces and this is a capacity within the reach of the PRCS.

The Society may best contribute to these functions insupplying ministries with trained volunteers for DisasterPreparedness. In addition, the International connectionthat the Society has with the IFRC can assist in facilitatingcommunication, for availing assistance and support inintervention process.

Contribution in assisting poor andvulnerable peopleWithin the available programmes, the Society has thecommunity development programmes, which cancontribute in helping the poor and the needy. This rolecan be coordinated with the ministry of Social Affairsand non-governmental institutes specialized in this field,with more coordination and defining of roles between

51Recommendations

the Society & other ministries. The Society can alsocontribute in availing volunteers to support the ministryof Social Affairs in assisting the most vulnerable. Thisrequires a coordinated joint plan, based on the localcommunity needs and capacities of other ministries.

Information BankThis is required to provide a detailed database aboutcapacities in the PRCS including volunteers, and through

this base to conduct analytical studies in DP. In addition,the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of PRCS maintainsinformation regarding current hazards and needs bothnationally and internationally. The PRCS ERU has beenactive in a programme with the Norwegian Red Cross inKosovo. In this initiative, skilled manpower was providedby PRCS to work with health in the community.Qualitative data relating to roles and capacities is shownin table 21.

PRCS RoleTable 21: PRCS Roles and Capacities

The PRCS Roles and Capacities

� Specialised training is needed over and above the EMS because disasters are different types of emergencyand it needs to be done in conjunction with other agencies.

� The PRCS has a role in community training programmes to address disaster preparedness needs.

� Blood Banks need developing.

� The five PRCS hospitals and 28 PHC Clinics need developing in terms of emergency room staffdevelopment.

� There is a role in participating in Fire incidents in terms of responding to on site casualty management,providing shelter and volunteers in cooperation with other agencies.

� Assisting in providing help for victims in cooperation with social services.

� PRCS has an important role in assessment of needs in disaster and liaising with the Federation forAppeals.

� An Emergency Response Unit could provide personnel (including volunteers) to assist in the functions ofother agencies.

Requesting Assistance, its organization anddissemination.The RC society considers the information provided bythe Palestinian Society, (requesting assitance and theorganzation of their logistical operations) a majorfunction, complementing the IFRC role.

The ERU is based on this principle, which functions as aconnecting chain between the International communityand the RC Society on one hand, and between the RC andthe other local institutes on the other. The Local communityexpects the RC Society to perform this role, because of itsspecial International relations, and its network of centresin the west bank and Gaza strip. They also see theexperiences in the Palestinian communities abroad, in suchplaces as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, as relevant here.

The unique role that the Society has in dealing with Disasterssupported by staff and volunteers, can be helpful indetermining the assistance required, based on the actualneeds of the local community.

It is considered that the Society should establish community-based groups in the different geographical areas, to assessneeds, provide information about damage that a disastercan cause, and contribute in organizing intervention andprevention from the effects of disaster. Such community-based groups need to be trained to do this in a coordinated

way that serves the varying interests of concernedinstitutions.

The importance of volunteers in relief programmes andawareness regarding prevention from expected hazards iswell recognized. It is important therefore, that organizedcommunity-based campaigns are conducted, to raiseawareness in the community, about the hazards of expecteddisasters. It was also suggested that useful learning couldbe gained from evaluating experiences in rescue and DPfrom other countries.

It is recognized that in the PRCS there is not a suitable planfor DP but that there is a rapid intervention plan. There is aneed to provide a clear plan that is understood both by thePalestinian community and the local authorities. These needto be documented and publicized to ensure the credibilityof information for all parties.

Recommendations, that emerged were based on interviewsof Ministries and Institutions and community focus groups.The Palestinian community made practicalrecommendations to be used as a reference in the DPprocess and prevention. It is divided into community-basedrecommendations, ministries and non-governmentalinstitution recommendations.


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Quantitative Findings Relating to Perceived Hazards of the Local

Community Focus Groups

Analysis of response distributionThe vast majority of the hazards response distributions are unimodal. That is, the most frequently occurring responsesappear on one category. Given this feature, the use of mode as the measure of central tendency for this investigationis appropriate. The top ranking hazards in the West Bank and Gaza are shown in Tables 22 and 23 with the detailedanalysis of the distribution of questions answered included in appendix 13.

The Most Likely Occurring Events/HazardsThe findings of this study through the quantitative toolare shown in the following tables in which the mostlikely occurring events are sorted and presented in orderof perceived probability to occur in the West Bank andGaza Strip. The graded categories of 'most likely', 'morelikely' and 'likely' are grouped together in discussionunder the one group of 'likely' to occur by thecommunities concerned. ‘Unlikely’ and ‘cannot predict’are also grouped together. Some connection of thesequantitative findings is discussed in relation toinformation gathered in the qualitative interviews, focusgroups, children's artwork and data collection.

Figure 7 Water Shortages - West Bank

Table 22: Major Hazards in West Bank

Hazards CC Index Probability of Occurrence Rank

Water Shortage 0.236 Most Likely 1

Political Related Events 0.259 Most Likely 2

Open Sewage 0.317 Most Likely 3

Food Poisoning 0.385 Most Likely 4

Soil Erosion 0.403 Most Likely 5

Vehicles/Traffic Accidents 0.410 More Likely 6

Violence/Conflict 0.414 More Likely 7

Table 23: Major hazards - Gaza Strip

Hazards CC Index Probability of occurrence Rank


Political Related Events 0.392 More Likely 2


West Bank

In the above chart (figure 7) 82% of the community studypredicted water shortage in Palestine, 4% didn't orcouldn't predict its occurrence and 5% of the communitypredicted it to be a sudden occurrence.

Palestinian cities are subjected to water shortage morethan villages and camps. This is because the rural areashave wells, rain, ground water and springs whereas thecities are totally dependent upon mains water networksunder the control of the Israeli authorities. The southerngovernorates are subjected to greater water shortagesthan the northern governorates. This is partly due to thefact that the Israeli controlled water nets distribute thelargest amounts of water to the Israeli Settlements, withvery little reaching the Palestinian areas. This results ininsufficient supplies for the needs of the Palestiniancommunity in the south.

The Israeli authorities also cut off the mains supply inthe event of other disasters, such as the threat of epidemicoutbreak or famine. The current political events in theMiddle East add to the water problem precisely becausethe Israeli authorities are in total control of it. This issupported by the literature presented in chapter 3.1,3,4,5

through the focus groups, the community considers watershortage the main hazard that threatens, first Gaza, andsecond, the West Bank.

53Recommendations

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81% of the community study predicted the occurrenceof traffic accidents in Palestine. 7% couldn't or didn'tpredict it and 13% considered sudden occurrences. Thisis shown in figure 9. The high proportion of thecommunity considering road accidents likely, issupported by statistics which also indicate that 13.8%of deaths among adolescents is due to accidents.34

Predictability of this hazard in the Palestinian camps wasmuch higher than in cities and villages. This may bedue to geographical location in terms of limited spaceand overpopulation13, use of large cars through narrowroads, which are poorly visible to drivers. In addition,there is poor traffic lighting in the camp areas, identifiedby the local communities in these areas.

Predictability was highest in the West Bank and it wasranked as the fourth main hazard there, due to thegeographical layout of the northern governorates. Itsopen areas and wide spaces give motorists theopportunity of travelling at high speeds when travellinglong distances, resulting in serious accidents. The roadsof Jericho, Nablus, Jenin, Jerusalem and Tulkarem inparticular, are at the risk of these accidents. This mayalso be exacerbated by the fact that the only form ofpublic transportation is on the roads.17

The study of the communities in the southerngovernorates indicates that road accidents are greaterthan the north, through the results that showed a rankingof the sixth greatest hazard in these areas. Thepredictability of car crash occurrences in the SouthernGovernorates is due, among other reasons, to the lackof traffic lights and road signs, according to local opinion.

Gaza Strip

The results show that there are more events\hazards thatare most likely to occur in the Gaza Strip, where sevenare identified, than in the West Bank, where three areidentified. Figures 10 to 16 present these seven ‘mostlikely’ hazards in order of perceived probability to be aproblem, According to the Gaza community.

Figure 10 Water Shortages - Gaza Strip

Figure 8 Political Events - West Bank

Figure 8 shows that 68% of the study community predictedthe occurrence of political events in Palestine. 14% didnot or could not predict it and 12% opted for suddenoccurrence of these events. It was considered thatPalestinian cities were more subject to the occurrence ofpolitical events than the villages and camps, although thereis not a great difference between them. This may be dueof the fact that city communities are distinguished by theiropenness and strong opinions.

The rise in the predictability of political events is inPalestinian areas is directly linked with the politicalproblems surrounding the Israeli Occupation. In addition,the rise in predictability of the occurrence of politicalevents, is linked to the reality of a high number ofoccurrences on a daily basis, in urban areas. The highnumber of people considering the likely is consistent withexperience and is well documented in the literature.21,24,25

Predictability of occurrences is higher in the southerngovernorates than in the north. This is due to the greaterpolitical and economic restrictions in the south. Theselead to fierce protests and strikes because the inhabitantsare losing the requirements for living, they are loosingjobs and freedom of movement. Pressures and politicalprovocations occur especially in the presence ofdifficulties at the Erez Crossing Point, which places asignificant obstacle in the face of the Gaza inhabitants.Political events in the southern governorates areconsidered the second leading hazard after water shortage,and a primary hazard in the northern governorates.

Figure 9 Vehicles & Traffic Accidents - West Bank

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In the above chart (figure 10), 90% of the communitystudy predicted water shortage in Palestine, 4% didn'tor couldn't predict its occurrence, and 5% of thecommunity predicted it to be a sudden occurrence. Thereis a close correlation with the results in the West Bankwith an 8% higher result for likelihood of occurrence.

Similar commentary is appropriate for Gaza as it is forthe West Bank, and qualitative findings are supportedby the literature.1,3,4,5

Figure3 11 Politically Related Events - Gaza Strip

The danger is greater in the Palestinian camps than incities or villages due to the collapse of the sewagenetwork. In addition, this population depends onabsorption holes, which weaken the constructions andthe soil, which forms a serious risk to individuals6.Further hazards connected with open sewage are therisk of epidemics and the pollution of drinking water.These ideas are consistent with qualitative commentariesrelating to food poisoning and pollution identified withfigures 13 and 14. The situation is exacerbated by theincrease in Palestinian camps and populations, whichlack water and sanitation networks. In winter, inhabitantsoften dispose of sanitation in the camps and in case ofdrought, they use contaminated water for plant irrigation.

Disaster related to open sewage ranked third most likelyamong the communities of the northern and southerngovernorates in Palestine and there is ample literatureto support opinions1,3,5,6,15.

Figure 13 Water and Sea Pollution - Gaza Strip

As shown in figure 11 above, 83% of the communitystudy predicted the occurrence of political events inPalestine. 8% did not or could not predict it, and 9%opted for sudden occurrence of these events. Thisrepresents a 15% higher community prediction of theseevents than in the West Bank and appears consistentwith the dense population and potentially greatertensions. This is consistent with findings in Figure 12and its commentary along with abundant literature.21,24,25

The commentary included for this hazard in the WestBank also applies in the Gaza area.

Figure 12 Open Sewage - Gaza Strip

3% 1%21%

21%

8%46%

can not predict unlikely

likely more likely

most likely sudden/unpredictable

In figure 12 above, 86% of the community study predictedthe occurrence of a disaster from open sewage in Palestine.4% did not or could not predict it and 8% expected asudden occurrence of problems related to this.

Figure 13 indicates that 88% of the community studypredicted the occurrence of disaster related to water andsea pollution with only 7% who did not or could notpredict it. 5% saw it as a sudden occurrence.

The predictability of the occurrence of water and seapollution was much higher in the camps than in thevillages and cities. This is due to the lack of infrastructurewithin the camps with reference to health and hygiene.In addition, the shortage of water leads people to storewater in wells and water tanks for long periods of timeas well as use the same sources for drinking andhousehold needs.1,3,15

This hazard is ranked sixth most likely by the Palestiniancommunity. They suggested that such a hazard isincreased by the fact that the sewage and waste fromIsraeli Settlements is disposed of in the western areasand in rivers and swamps, which surround thePalestinian, populated areas. Due to the location of highnumbers of Settlements in the Southern areas, and thedisposing of their wastes this way, pollution is muchgreater than in the north. Sewage wastes disposed of

55Recommendations

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from the Israeli sewage networks in the Gaza Sea alsoincreases the pollution of water and sea, which alsoresults in the death of fish.

Figure 14 Food Poisoning - Gaza strip

Figure 15 indicates that 86% of the community studypredicted traffic accidents and 7% did not or could notpredict it. 5% predicted such events to occur suddenly.

The commentary presented regarding the West Bank, isalso applicable in Gaza, with the main north-south roadbeing a hazard for high speeds and death rates amongadolescents in particular. This is highlighted inliterature34.

Figure 16 Violence and Conflict - Gaza Strip

In figure 14 above, 90% of the community predicted theoccurrence of food poisoning. 6% did not or could notpredict it, and 4% considered that it would occur suddenly.

The predictability of food poisoning occurrence is higherin the cities than in villages and camps, because thestudy sample indicated, that food poisoning in thesouthern governorates is higher than in the northern ones.The complexity of the procedures for importing foodproducts in the south, result in old foodstuffs beingbought by the community. In addition to this, the collapseof the sewage system and prevalence of mosquitoescomplicates this problem. There is also an absence ofcontrol for food storage and warehousing. The fact thatlocal farmers also resort to using open sewage forirrigation, is another cause of potential foodcontamination.

The high population density in cities7,8,12,13 and highdependence on canned food, is also a factor that maylead to food poisoning, and it is urged that the Ministryof Supplies takes a lead role in inspecting and controllingfood materials, by the enforcement of laws for merchantsand warehouses.

Figure 15 Vehicle Accidents - Gaza Strip

Relating to table 16 shown above, 72% of the communitypredicted the occurrence of violence accidents inPalestine and 16% did not or could not predict it. 12%predicted that such events would occur suddenly.

Predictability of this was greater in the cities than in thevillages, due to increasing internal migration to the citiesby village inhabitants and camps in the north and south,for the purposes of finding work and study.

The political, psychological and economical pressuresimposed by the Israeli authorities on Palestinian areas,plays a significant part on the psychological state of thecommunity. The frustration of being deprived of theirrights leads to tension, whereby individuals may taketheir anger out on each other.

Violence is predicted to be higher in the north due tooverpopulation in the refugee camps, along with thepsychological and economical pressures of occupation.

Other Hazards Predicted by the CommunityFocus Groups

Floods44% of the community predicted the occurrence offloods and 56% did not or could not predict it. Thecommunities study in the camps predicted a higherlikelihood of occurrence, due to the geographical layout,and the lack of sanitation nets.

It was predicted that such occurrences were more likelyin the northern areas where there are plains rather than


in the south. There is also a lack of experience in dealingwith floods.

Snowstorms34% of the community predicted the occurrence ofsnowstorms as a hazard, whereas 42% did not know orcould not predict it. 14% predicted the suddenoccurrence in the northern and southern governorates.29% predicted sudden occurrence of these events. Thereis a higher predictability of occurrence of snowstormsin the West bank Camps than in the cities and villages.This can create a greater danger because of constructions,overpopulation and lack of health and social services.In addition, dangers exist from cars having difficulty inmanoeuvring narrow internal streets in bad weather.

The lack of occurrence of snowstorms in Gaza is due tothe semi-desert geographical climate of the Strip, whichprevents their occurrence.

Epidemics54% of the community predicted the occurrence ofdiseases and epidemics. 40% did not or could not predictit and 6% predicted sudden onset.

The predictability of epidemics in camps is higher thanin villages and cities of both the West bank and Gaza,due to the geographical nature of the area andoverpopulation7,8,12,13, which facilitates the spreading ofdisease among people. The collapse of internal sewagenetworks and the tendency to dispose of waste in thestreets, also adds to the risks in camps.

The increase in numbers of camps, lack of health andsocial services17, is also a factor, along with the IsraeliSettlements whose waste contaminates the camp areas.The social conditions also encourage disease-carryinghosts, such as mosquitoes and insects. This is supportedby MOH literature, indicating a prevalence of gastro-enteritis and parasitic disease in camps34. The closingdown of access to areas in Gaza, also limits theavailability and supply of medicines needed by the localcommunity, in the event of disease outbreaks andprevention.

Famine56% of the community predicted the occurrence offamine in Palestine, 33% did not know or was unable topredict it, and 11% predicted sudden onset. The groupsmost likely to famine in Palestinian camps, due to thelimited geographical space and over-population. Fewinhabitants own land, and water shortages lead to thedamage and death of crops9,10,11. The occurrence islikely to affect the southern governorates more than theones in the north, due to the sandy nature of the soil,which is not suitable for growing.

The cutting off of water supplies for long periods andthe predominantly salty water leads to the death of crops.Death of cultivated crops and trees is also caused by thewaste and sewage disposal from the Israeli Settlements.

Southern governorates are also more at risk due topolitical and economic restraints from all sides, whichdisrupts the importing and exporting process, resultingin damage and loss.

Earthquakes28% of the community predicted earthquake in Palestine,and 10% did not or could not predict it. 63% indicatedthat its occurrence would be sudden and difficult topredict. These results correlate well with the literatureon locations of high risk, outside the Gaza area19,20.

The risk to cities is considered higher than two villagesand camps, due to the increasing construction ofbuildings and high-rise towers, which present greaterdamage potential and mortality. It is considered that theareas of greatest risk in this respect are Nablus, Jericho,Gaza and Jerusalem. Predictability of disaster is greaterin the south than in the north, due to the geographicalconsiderations.

The likelihood of sudden occurrence provides greatconcern for human and material losses, due to lack ofpreparedness for the event. There is an increasing numberof high buildings that are being constructed, and thereis an urgent need to ensure that proper building codesare enforced. Earthquakes have an obvious correlationbetween unpredictability and the likelihood of suddenoccurrence.

57Recommendations

59

This study is the first to acknowledge the importance of consulting children andyouth within disaster preparedness, by including them in the sample group of avulnerability and capacity study.

In September 2001, the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session onChildren will meet, and the outcome is likely to shape the lives of children andadolescents throughout the world35. It is, therefore, fortuitous that the PRCS haspre-empted this with its VCA study, that truly seeks to include its young peoplewithin disaster preparedness for the future.

Related to this, it is appropriate in this chapter to include a statement made by theSecretary-General of the United Nations, which epitomises the importance ofinvolving young people in important decision-making:

"I see the light in your eyes, the energy of your bodies and the hopethat is in your spirit.I know it is you, and not I, who will make the future. It is you, not I,who will fix our wrongs and will carry forward all that is right withthe world".35

Adults in a society may often not seriously consider the ideas of children andyoung people because they feel that they are to be 'controlled' and 'protected insuch matters'. Additionally, their perceived lack of experience in the 'real world'may generate assumptions that they can't possibly understand. It is particularlyinteresting, therefore, to review the insightful ideas of young Palestinians, abouthow they consider disaster should be faced, when it occurs.

The involvement of children within Palestinian society is supported by governmentpolicy in advocating children's rights. Information and awareness is stated to bebased upon the principle that the child is a complete person and citizen withrights, duties and responsibilities39. Furthermore, the policy advocates for childrento become involved in issues that are of relevance to their lives and well-being.This in itself supports the idea of Palestinian children being involved in planning,related to dealing with disaster in their community.

Sixteen percent of the sample distribution within the methodology employed, wasspecifically from children and young people aged between 6 years and 19 years.

Eight Focus Groups were held in this group, which consisted of five in the WestBank and 3 in Gaza, involving a total of 113 children and youth. The geographicallocation was determined through convenience situated at the sites of Youth SummerCamps in the West bank and Gaza. Participants were recruited from the summercamps, with the consent of their parents and the children themselves. Particularcare was taken to deal sensitively with young people with no pressure applied toparticipate, and the consent of parents was obtained.

Within this chapter the qualitative data emerging from the focus group interviewsis presented in tables with some observations and commentary. Since themethodology with the children and youth included the use of drawings, these willalso be considered. 83 drawings were reviewed in this study as a sample of ideas

Chapter 5 Children and Youth


about disaster and disaster preparedness, presentedthrough pictures. The qualitative data relating to someof these drawings, can be reviewed in appendices 14and 15. Some discussion of the data, along withexamples of drawings, is included within this chapter.

The sample of drawings commented upon in theappendices, originate primarily from the West Bank withthe vast majority from children living in Nablus. Twelveout of thirty six drawings (33%) of Nablus children's

pictures depicted war or conflict as a disaster (figure 17).This correlates with the findings among adults in theWest Bank, in the quantitative data, where conflict isseen as the second most important disaster. It mayindicate a significant pre-occupation of children inNablus and their frequent exposure to scenes of clashes.Drawings in the preparedness category also includedideas about preparedness relating to war, clashes andconflict. Interestingly, drawings from Ramallah children(although less of them) did not depict violence.

Children's DrawingsFifteen percent of Nablus children identified caraccidents as disaster in the artwork, and whilst drawingsrelating to cars were not found in the preparednesscategories, emergency and hospital services were. Withinthe adult results, car accidents were also identified as acurrent problem in the West Bank. In terms ofpreparedness in the Gaza Strip, hospitals and the EMSwere identified.

Pollution was represented as a disaster with both Nablusand Ramallah children, particularly with reference toair pollution and the roles of factories (figure 18) increating the problem. Destruction of the environmentand the effects of chemical waste (figure 19) were alsodepicted. Disaster preparedness showed reference topollution.

Nablus

Age 14 Years

Disaster & Preparedness

ConflictFloods

The drawing depicts three ideas, from top tobottom, of people fighting, floods and thethings the child perceives that need to be

done and to be prepared

Figure 17

61Discussion and Outcomes

appear that the internal representation of a volcano mightgeneralize for natural events. Concern about theenvironment was identified in these drawings, about theenvironment.

Natural disaster was well represented both in Nablusand Ramallah, though interestingly as Volcanoes, whichare not a threat in this region (figure 20). None of thepreparedness categories refers to such events. It would

Nablus

Age 17 years

DisasterAir and Water Pollution

The drawing describes whatthis adolescent considers adisaster, that affects society

Figure 18

Nablus

Age 19 Years

Disaster

Fires, Chemical WasteFloods

Destruction of the Environment

Figure 19


It is interesting that none of the drawings reviewed inthis sample depicted water shortage or drought, thoughthey depict floods and forest fires. Conversely, droughtis considered the primary existing problem in the adultquantitative data results. There is, however, correlationwith fire and floods.

Preparedness drawings depict opinions among childrenthat awareness is an important component of preparingfor disaster, including the use of schools, media and thecommunity to do this (figure 21). In addition, the idea ofcooperation, coordination, EMS and hospitals is alsorepresented. Other areas identified for preparednessshow floods, war pollution and drought.

Ramallah

Age 6 years

Natural Disaster depicted in the form of a Volcano and the environment

Figure 20


RamallahAge 12 years

PreparednessTelevision, Local Council, School awareness campaigns, water wells

Figure 21


Children identify a range of effects of disaster 'on them'(Table 24), including physical problems and security. Ofinterest, particular, is the idea of not being able to respondappropriately. In educational theory, this relates to thefact that people do not learn, unless they have therealization of 'not knowing how to respond'33.

Their ideas of the role of the community (Table 24) inthe aftermath of disaster, are both comprehensive andinsightful. They include themes of cooperation,coordination, problem solving and education.Cooperation, communication, awareness and trainingare the main themes, in ideas for prevention of disasterand very valid comments from any section of the society.

Some ideas in the drawings of children with referenceto natural disaster, imply an understanding of the cycleof events that may occur. It suggests an appreciation thatthere are not just sudden impact effects, but alsoassociated consequences. In the picture below (figure21), it is interesting that hospitals and emergency servicesare absent, and the environment is heavily depicted. Thisis consistent throughout the data, with an orientationwider than simply considering the immediate responseto disaster.

Table 24: Children's Data

How will disaster affect Role of the local community How to prevent disasterchildren? after disaster

-Unable to respond -Using the available possibilities -Setting rulesto the event

-Kidnapping -Building hospitals -Making efforts to prevent life loss

-Burns -Importing medicines -Establishing a council in every city

-Lack of education -Planning and coordination -Storing building materialsbetween concerned parties

-Pain, fear and anxiety -Collecting donations -Awareness and instructing people

-Swallowing difficulties -Training youth and volunteers -Training staff

-Lack of immunity -Establishing earthquake-proof -Cooperating among individualsin facing disaster

-Misbehaviour -Taking necessary precautions -Communicating with other countries

-Few capacities -Getting assistance -Collecting donations-Building special centres for shelter

-Breakdown in health -Making water available -Communicating with Chairman Arafat

-Poisoning with medicines -Instructing people -Protecting children

-Displacement of people -Building shelters -Acquiring necessary equipment

-Deformity -Contacting institutions and media -Building shelters

-Accidents -Storing medicines -Social monitoring

-Unconsciousness -Increasing number of volunteers, -Finding substitute families for childrenengineers and labourers

-Paralysis -Repairing demolished buildings -Communicating with media, sufficient doctors, medicines and supplies

-Disease -Monitoring the health situation -Communicating with police,ambulance and fire services

-Fractures -Increasing social ties

-Vaccinating against disease

-Conducting first aid

-Availing of medical supplies

-Quick rescuing

-Resolving problems

-Making oxygen available

-Training for rescue/ first aid

-Meeting shortages in basic services

-Supplying electricity and budgeting


Children's DataThe categories in table 25 indicate themes about psychosocial problems, the disruption of important family lifewith breakdown of local infrastructure. Health services are identified with a realization of primary care loss andpsychological problems, in addition to acute injury. It suggests an awareness of the longer-term health problems ofthe community in which they live. Drawings in preparedness included the need to consider the supply of medical/drug supplies ahead of disaster occurring (figure 22).

Ramallah

Age 13 Years

Disaster

Earthquake, Drought and Floods

A representation in four stagesideas about the representation of

these hazards to the child

Figure 22


How will disaster affect the How will it affect the streets? How will it affectmovement of people? health services?

-Breaking life routines -Soil cracking due to drought -Spreading diseases

-Confusion and fear -Holes in the street -Demolishing hospitals

-Death -Remote areas -Lack of room for the injured

-Emigration -Lack of movement between people -Lack of primary care

-People not going out of homes -No transportation -Shortage of medicines

-Poisoning people -Unemployment -Wounds

-Loss of family contact -Fractures

-Psychological shock -Diseases

-Lack of movement between people -Psychological problems

Ramallah

Age 13 Years

Preparedness

Need to ensure pharmacies havemedicines accessible in all

communities before disasters occur

Figure 23


In table 26, the key themes identified include the importanceof coordination, cooperation, communication and 'makingdo' with existing resources. A central theme in many of the


How will we face disaster Role of local government Role of the Ministry ofwhen it occurs? ministry in disaster Health

-Coordinating between -Keeping people away from -Vaccinations concerned parties using dangerous placesavailable capacities

-Calling the police, fire, -Making transport available -Availing hospitals, ambulance and municipality trained staff, health

insurance, medicines

-Getting foodstuff -Disseminating awareness -Increasing PHC's

-Resolving problems -In the community -Training in first aid

-Informing rescue service -Forming committees to monitor chaos -Availing food and shelter

-Assisting the army -Informing concerned parties -Preparing sheltering places

-Being self dependent -Assisting citizens -Attending to the needs of elderly

-Contacting media -Solving problems -Helping the homeless and injured

-Making building codes -Facilitating individual movements -Rehabilitating orphanages

-Cooperating -Training people

-Awareness campaigns -Supporting municipalities

-Finding shelters -Getting modern equipment

-Getting staff: health centres, -Collecting donationsdoctors, nurses, shops etc

-Giving Psychological support

-Establishing committeesto control crowds in disaster

-Evacuating the injured

-Using weapons correctly

-Contacting organisations

-Asking for help


Role of Ministry of Social Affairs Role of the Civil Defence Role of the Red Crescent

Coordination with other ministries Availing water Courses in First aid emergencies

Health awareness Supplies: clothes and transportation Assisting in fire extinguishing

First aid for emergencies Being at the site of disasters Taking care of the handicappedand deaf

Prevention Rescuing people in disaster Collecting donations

Providing protection Availing immediate service

Performing surgery

Transporting the injured

Immediate treatment of casualties

Helping the poorth through rescueservice

Children's perceptions of the role of ministries andspecialized services were amazingly accurate, and againplaced the importance of training, awareness andprevention within their remit (Table 28). Feedback

categories in the tables of this chapter also highlightsawareness campaigns and education as important whichis also reflected in a number of drawings (figure 22).

suggests that useful ideas have been communicated backto various institutions, which may otherwise haveremained unseen by them.


The effects of disaster on the community are welldocumented, and the categories of the most vulnerable(Tables 28, 30 and 31) are consistent with data from theadults in this area. Socio-economic welfare ishighlighted, along with realistic predictions about the


Role of Specialities How will disaster affect people? How it will affect Youth

Health work coordination Changing life routines Developing the spirit of belonging

Working according to specialties Encouraging love between people Lack of motivation

Building dams Backwardness Not attending courses

Conducting awareness courses Death Family problems

Giving courses to people Unemploymentbefore disaster

Volunteer training Carelessness

Defining places of earthquakes Lack of awareness

Providing protection Shortage in nurses

Lack of housing

Misusing time


How will disaster affect electricity? How will disaster affect water? Role of cars

Material losses Pollution Fire engines

Fires Crops Ambulances

Breakdown of networks Damaged water supplies Police

Electric cuts Shortage of water Hospital transportation

No water

effects on each category. The effect on their homes (Table30) is reminiscent of disaster related to conflict, whichis consistent with the pre-occupation of this subject inthe drawings from Nablus children.

Table 30: Children's data

How will it affect houses? How will it affect school students? How will it affect the elderly?

Demolition Not going to school Death

Explosion Closure of schools Lethargy

Material losses Handicapped

Burns Inability to walk

Cracking of the soil due to drought Lack of medicines

Breaking windows Lack of mobility

Laziness


DiscussionWhilst this is a relatively small sample of the youngpeople of Palestine, it presents a significant indicationof the value of their contribution as members of thesociety. The findings correlate well to the expectedhazards identified among the adult groups in Table 11,and the main hazards shown in Table 10. Approximately24% highlighted conflict in both Nablus and Ramallahas disasters, though only 12% of the preparedness groupidentified this as a priority. It is concerning that youngpeople identified 'availing weapons' within the category

of general preparedness, but it may be related to theprominence of the political situation and the idea of selfpreservation in a situation of war and conflict.

Children's' ideas about what can be generally done asdisaster preparedness are abundant, diverse and creative,as indicated in Table 32. They contain elements thatare defined as important, in the five core areas of theInternational Federation's 'Sphere Project'36, relating toInternational Standards for Disaster. These are health,shelter, water & sanitation, and food & nutrition.


General Preparedness General Preparedness General Preparedness

Training staff Forming committees Storing food

Availing electricity Helping Arab countries Building shelters

Agriculture fields Abiding by traffic law Availing fire engines

Society awareness Availing phones Spreading awareness in the streets

Storing energy Peace between countries Taking donations from the rich

Water Good planning for buildings Psychological services

Hospitals Give people professions: electricians, Stairsblacksmiths, plumbers

Not to throw garbage Connecting with others Building dams and tents

Plans Training volunteers

Defining needs Building houses

Mobile first aid centres Rescuing peoplein remote areas

Defining hazards Availing gas

Communication Availing medicines

Availing weapons Police

Storing equipment Availing equipment

Clothing Cooperation between institutes

Availing stores Cars

First aid training forchildren, youth and girls

Meetings for planning


How will it affect men? How will it affect women? How will it affect the handicapped?

Breathing inability Having diseases Burns

Drowning Fatigue Inability to escape

Unemployment Weakness in body structure Paralysis

Difficulty in getting jobs Polygamy Increase in family members

Death Little capacities Inability to face events

Sickness Abortion due to decision-making Wounded

Homelessness Lack of awareness Lack of services

Headache Death Death

Fractures Limited abilities No one to take care of them

Poor living standards Lack of experience

69Literature Review

Key themes include the importance of communication,cooperation and coordination. Interestingly, theyinclude regional cooperation in disaster preparedness,recognizing a world extending beyond the boundariesof Palestine. Planning with reference to infrastructureand services is represented, and the provision of adequateemergency and health services including, psychologicalhealth. Again, training and awareness in preparednessare of central importance.

Review of some of the ideas presented in appendices 14and 15 relating to the drawings, show quite youngchildren being amazingly insightful in putting forwardideas for preparedness. This correlates well to qualitativefindings from the children's focus group interview data,which indicated even more creative thinking than theiradult counterparts.

Important findings from the children's groups wereawarness, of the threats of disaster and their desire to beincluded with adults in preparedness activities. This isimportant because fifty per cent of the current population

is children and they represent one hundred per cent ofthe future Palestinian society39.

Common themes throughout the children's interviewdata included the perceived importance of prevention,training, awareness, problem solving and cooperatingwith others. These are clear, internationally accepteddirections, which are reflected in the Strategy 201037

and the World Disaster Report 200038, which placesemphasis on disaster in public health and the need forprevention.

Furthermore, review of the qualitative data also showsa remarkably wide and intelligent understanding of manyof the issues involved. This perhaps counters ideas thatchildren should not be shielded from such subjects asdisaster and catastrophe. Indeed, it indicates that theirideas should be taken seriously, and that adults shouldaccept them as part of the community disasterpreparedness group, in line with recognition of children’srights.

71

This chapter will review the recommendations emerging from this study, and proposeprojects for consideration to be undertaken by the PRCS. Recommendations,specifically raised by the Palestinian community, ministries, institutions and theTask Group, are shown in tables 34 - 39.

The following list of recommendations is a general compilation of the opinions ofall groups:

� Promoting the role of PRCS and establishing centres for volunteering, especiallyamong women and youth, in the field of community awareness.

� Establishing community-based initiatives to strengthen infrastructures and DPin the home

� Building confidence and bridging the gap between ministries, institutions andthe communities that they serve.

� Establishing disaster preparedness in the school curriculum, with creativelearning strategies related to real life.

� Creating trained human resources and developing existing capacities.

� Utilizing Palestinian capacities within the state and abroad.

� Establishing links and finding coordinating mechanisms, internationally.

� Forming committees from all institutes and ministries, to work as an integratedteam, to develop national disaster plans, and establish specialized legislationfor disaster.

� Defining roles and coordinating between agencies, sharing resources andexpertise.

� Establishing criteria for institutions, as indicators for action, before disaster occurs.

� Defining the basic requirements for dealing with disasters, according to thetype of events, before they happen.

� Defining the role of the PRCS in Disaster preparedness, and response withinrefugee camps, and prepare the infrastructure.

� Giving priority in development needs to remote and deprived areas, and tothose that are on confrontation lines.

� Providing centres for first aid and emergency institutes.

� Strengthening the EMS system with more ambulance drivers.

� Highlighting the role of the army and the media in disaster.

� Highlighting the role of preventive health in the prevention of disease in disaster.

� Ensuring the recommendations of this VCA study are followed up with action,by implementing projects addressed them.

Projects Highlighted as Recommendations for ActionThrough the process of this research study, the combined input of all participantsproposed Action Projects that could be considered, and which may assist inimproving Disaster preparedness in Palestine. The projects that are presented intable 33 are divided into immediate and future implementation ones.

Chapter 6 Recommendations


Table 33 : Projects Proposed Through the Process of the Inquiry

Project Now Future

Training programmes in first-aid for local organisations X X

Establishing a Disaster Management Department X

Building psychological Rehabilitation Centre X X

Making community-Based Disaster Preparedness Volunteer Programme X X

Developing Youth Volunteering in DP X X

Developing Ambulances X X

Providing mobile Field Hospitals X

Emergency Response Unit Development X X

Improving Storage for Supplies and Equipment X X

Increase available tents X X

Devising children's clubs and DP child to child projects X X

Organizing Summer and Winter Camps for DP X

Developing PHC's with disaster in mind X X

Building Information, Media and Research Centre X

Launching community awareness campaigns X

Making Quality Improvement Programme X

Developing Communication Systems X

Table 34:General Recommendations of the Community Focus groups

Community Focus Group Recommendations

� Activating the role of the PRCS in the field of community awareness

� Availing centres for first aid and emergency institutes

� Promoting the establishment of emergency centres in the local community in the field of volunteering

� Forming a committee from all institutes and ministries to work within one integrated team

� Building confidence and bridging the gap between the official agencies and the people

� Activating the role of the media in case of disaster

� Paying attention to developing infrastructure projects in the home

� Conducting, launching vaccination campaigns after disasters to prevent epidemics

� Establishing national plans which enable people to handle and manage disasters

� Following recommendations and delivering them to the concerned

Table 35: Community Focus Group Recommendations for Pre-Disaster Phase

Before Disaster

� Forming national plans to enable people to deal with disasters and hazards

� Activating the role of the Red Crescent and non-governmental institutes in community awareness

� Working on activating the principle of voluntarism by governmental and non-governmental institutes

� Forming a committee of all institutes and ministries to face a disaster and work as one Team

� Establishing First Aid centres and emergency services in heavily populated areas

Table 36: Community Focus Group Recommendations for Disaster Phase

Disaster stage

� Activating the role of the Media in case of disaster

� Conducting vaccination campaigns after a disaster

� Establishing emergency rooms in clubs and community institutes

� Exchanging equipment between institutes

� Coping with the prices of food and medications for the disaster needs

73Literature Review

Community Focus groupsCommunity recommendations concentrated theirdiscussions on the stage before disaster, which focusedon preparedness and the need to mitigate its severity.They also concentrated on the importance ofcoordination and cooperation at community andinstitutional levels considering it to be the best basis inpreparedness for facing hazards and expected disaster.This correlates well with general preparedness ideasmade by the children's groups, identified in table 32 ofchapter 5.

A significant realization of the community groups wasthat it is not possible for one party to face or overcomedisasters. They concentrated on the capacities and

Table 37: Recommendations of Institutions

Institution Recommendations

� Establishing specialized legislation for disaster

� Defining basic requirements for dealing with disaster according to the type of event

� Coordinating between institutions and defining roles

� Preparing infrastructure in refugee camps

� Establishing criteria for institutions as indicators for action before the events occur.

� Highlighting the role of the army in Disaster preparedness

� Increasing the number of ambulance drivers

� Sharing all resources in the various institutes for Disaster preparedness

� Utilising State capacities and Palestinian capacities abroad.

� Establishing trained human resources and developing the capacities of existing ones.

After studying the data it is apparent that the Palestinianinstitutions gave precedence in the area of Disasterpreparedness. It also became clear that they do not haveclear plans to deal with hazards, disaster and post disasterstages. They appear to be in a process of buildinginfrastructure in terms of human and material resources,

and are, to some extent, related to the building of aPalestinian State. They recognize that they have limitedexperience in dealing with natural catastrophe, butacknowledge their experience in the difficulties of thepolitical issues.

Table 38: Local Community Recommendations

Community Recommendations

� Putting DP within the school curriculums relating to the activities of every day life

� Using other audio/visual mediums for children such as plays, drama and singing, which help in mitigatingpsychological traumas after a disaster.

� Establishing an international coordination mechanism in case of disaster

� Activating the role of volunteering in the society

� Giving priority to the remote areas that lie on the lines of confrontation in conflict

� Activating the role of The Palestine Red Crescent Society in case of community awareness

community resources that could be utilized duringdisaster. Furthermore, it was suggested that localcommunity awareness and training could help in DisasterPreparedness, mitigating the effects, in addition toprevention. Again, these ideas are echoed in thechildren's section in chapter 5.

The Institutes recommendationsThe institutes concentrated on the Disaster Preparednessprocess, because they realized that their individualinfrastructure was not able to deal with disaster, andidentified needs for cooperation and coordination at thehighest levels. Some of their recommendations aresummarized in table 37.

The Local community Recommendations:Local community recommendations identified in table28 are consistent with the ideas of coordination,cooperation and community awareness among others.They correlate well, as general themes, with the

information gathered from children's groups and the TaskGroups themselves(table 39). The important DPdirections suggested in the recommendations, relate wellto the study of objectives and community-basedinitiatives, as one project emerging from this assessment.


Strategies Recommended Employees as Outcomes of the Pre-VCA

Workshops in the West Bank & GazaThese strategies were developed from the workshops conducted for PRCS staff and were divided into the six maincategories shown in table 40.

Table 39:Task Group Recommendations

Task Group Team Recommendations

� Defining the role of the PRCS in Camps before, during and after a disaster (reference to political situation)

� Putting the remote and deprived areas that are situated on the confrontation line, as a priority for development

� Finding an international coordination mechanism, in case of disasters

� Activating the role of volunteering in the local community especially among women

� Following the recommendations and delivering them to the concerned

� Activating the role of the community in the field of community awareness

� Sending notes of thanks to those helping in the focus groups

Table 40: Strategies Recommended by PRCS Employees During Pre-VCA Workshops

Category Suggested strategies

Planning � Develop a special emergency plan for PRCS incorporated into a National Plan.� Establish and work with emergency committees in coordination with others concerned.� Participate in establishing an emergency committee in order to develop an emergency plan in which

roles and responsibilities are defined.� Prepare plans for each disaster.� Establish working groups for each disaster.� Provide necessary resources in order to meet the needs of emergency relief and infrastructure.� Assess the existing needs, the current situation and capacities, in terms of materials, equipment and

finance.� Develop a specialized training initiative to train professionals in how to respond to hazards.

� Work and coordinate with specialized organizations to implement measures for safe earthquakebuildings.

Preparedness � Emergency and EMS:� Provide necessary healthcare equipment to deal with the disaster.� Add more ambulances to various parts of the country according to intensity of population.� Build new healthcare centres to cover all parts of Palestine.� Provide field hospitals and mobile clinics.� Provide backup of medical supplies and storage.� Provide backup of relief items and storage.� Provide generators, tents and shelter.

Training for � Establish training centres.Professionals � Exchange scholarships with disaster experienced countries.

� Conduct training in first-aid, and training for women, children and the elderly in crisis situations.� Provide mechanisms for psychological support to rescue teams.

Establishment of � Develop existing communication networks.Communication � Train professionals in using communication systems.networks � Establish centralised and de-centralised communication networks.

Awareness and � PRCS participation in increasing the level of awareness in the community about disasters andCommunity their prevention.Development � Organise and conduct promotional campaigns for the community, to meet the impact of disasters

through brochures and information sheets about each disaster.� Conduct an awareness campaign in the community to utilise the resources available.� Establish a media plan in cooperation with other media organisations both internally and externally.� Conduct a case study of injured people in a disaster, in order to conduct social and psychological

programmes.� Evaluate the socio-economic situation of the families in need.� Cooperate and coordinate with "grass root" organisations based on the division of labour.� Prepare a community guide on how local committees could be established in refugee camps, villages

and cities.� Establish community communication systems to evaluate the situation for the intervention and

utilization of committee resources.

Emergency � Establish a group in each profession and specialization related to hazards and disasters, for rapidUnit (ERU) Response intervention.

� Prepare an on-going training programme for each ERU member.

75Literature Review

These strategies were developed prior to conducting thequalitative interviews of the main VCA study and indicatea correlation between the key issues in all

recommendations and the major findings categories.Such correlation adds to the validity of the findings ofthe study and is shown in Table 41.

Table 41: A Comparison of the Main Categories of Various Group Recommendations and the Main Categoriesof the Study Findings

Major Findings Vulnerabilities, Communities Coordination & Capacities &Categories Hazards & Disaster Cooperation Preparedness

Community Activating the role Develop DP National coordination. Increasing the diversityFocus Groups of the media in through schools Bridging the gap of learning media.

case of disaster between the officialagencies and Availing centres for firstthe people. aid and emergency

institutesDevelop Following Vaccination campaignsvolunteering recommendations and after disasters to

delivering them to the prevent epidemicsDeveloping concernedinfrastructure Giving priority to theprojects in the remote areas that lie on home. the lines of

confrontation inPromote role of conflict.PRCS incommunityawareness

Institutions Legislation for DP Develop role of Establishing Defining basicPreparing infrastructure PRCS in awareness indicators requirementsin refugee camps

Give priority to Coordinating Highlight the role ofremote areas in between institutions the army in DPdevelopment and defining roles

Sharing resources Utilizing state andwith others international capacities

Increase ambulance staffHuman resource development

Task Group Defining the roles Activating the role Activating the role of Finding an international of PRCS of volunteers PRCS in community coordinating

awareness mechanism in disaster.

Priority in development Recognise those helpingto remote areas in the focus groups by

letters of thanks.

Defining the role of the PRCS in Camps before during and after a disaster (reference to political situation)

Pre-VCA Planning Community Awareness Communications PreparednessTrainingWorkshops & Development & ERUcategories

77

Impact of the StudyFrom the very beginning of the work of this study, therehave been positive impacts. These include the interestof PRCS workers and the participation of the variousdepartments such as ambulance, emergency, planning,rehabilitation and primary care. Externally, the interestand cooperation of the various ministries and institutions,such as IFRC and UNICEF, have had a very positiveimpact through relationships developed within theSteering Committee. Commitment and dedication havehad a good deal to do with reaching realistic outcomesin the study.

Impact of the Study on ChildrenThe study has had an important impact on the childrenof the community through the interaction of theunstructured workshops. It has created a feeling thatchildren have an important role in determining what thedisasters are, and they are being involved in preventingand mitigating their effects. It has also given them achance to talk about hazards in their own environmentsthat may affect them in the future.

Children's' participation in what is usually perceived asan adult subject is unique, and strengthens the outcomesof the study. It involves them in potential programmesof DP and Community-based initiatives. Whilst childrenare classed as a vulnerable group affected by mostdisasters, it has also identified them as an importantresource in DP programme planning.

Influence of the Study on the LocalCommunityThe involvement of wide cross sections of communitiesfrom cities, villages and refugee camps in the researchwork with the Task Group has had a great impact. Itvalidates the assessment process by really showing whatthe Palestinian people think and it has identified theintense interest that they have, in being part of the DPprocess in their own country. The study has also raisedawareness throughout the country, considerably aboutpreparedness, and has llowed a review of availablecapacities. It has created a realization among thecommunity that they may have direct coordination withvarious establishments and may be practically involved.A greater awareness of the role and function of the PRCShas been achieved along with the PRCS as being able to

Chapter 7 The Impact of the Study on Children,

Local Community, Institutions, TaskGroup and PRCS

understand the preconceived ideas of their communities.

Influence of the Study on Ministries andInstitutionsGovernmental and non-governmental organizationsacknowledged the importance of the study andcooperated with the interviews conducted. Theircooperation and involvement throughout, has affectedtheir own definition of their own roles, and has openedthe way for future coordination and cooperation inprogrammes they may be implementing.

Great interest was shown in evaluating the outcomes ofthis study and in joint participation in the National DPConference that will follow on from it. There was completereadiness from all concerned to play their various roles incooperation towards the goal of National Planning.

Influence of the Study on the PRCSGreat impact and value was borne out of this study. Itmade PRCS workers examine their capacities and thoseof other agencies in the field of Disaster Preparedness.The process of the study has facilitated support for theSociety's strategy of cooperation and coordination, inall stages of disaster with local, government and non-governmental establishments. Furthermore, the successin achieving cooperative working arrangements insidethe country has indicated that the Society may alsoeffectively participate in Regional DP Planning withSARCS and JRCS. To this end, a preparatory three CountrySociety meeting was held, in which the path was set forcoordinating regional work, exchanging of experienceand future planning.

The interaction with Ministries and the communitystimulated requests for first aid courses and community-based training for disaster.

The study spearheaded by the Society greatly raised itsprofile and standing in the National InteragencyPalestinian Community, and is considered a start forstrategic planning and an analysis for disaster studies.

The PRCS has participated in a national achievement indisaster preparedness through this study, and it underlinesthe role and the importance of cooperative working withMinistries, Institutions and the community, in the fieldof Disaster Preparedness.

79

The Study in Palestine has facilitated much more than the product, which was toaddress the objectives of the research. It has provided an Action research study inthe form of Participatory Learning and Action, in which a model has been craftedfor potential use throughout the region.

A flexible process model of Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment is now available,which can be refined into a shorter and more cost effective assessment framework,for other National Societies to use. Initial VCA Workshops that were designed andconducted as a preliminary part of this study and the data analysed incomplete.There is an interesting correlation between this and the main VCA study. Generally,there are similarities in the following categories:� Vulnerabilities

� Expected hazards

� Major Findings

� Future projects for preparedness

� Importance of volunteers

� Recommendations

The purpose of this study was to identify the role of the PRCS in disaster preparedness,to advocate for a National Disaster Plan. Some discussion is therefore appropriate,regarding the extent to which this study has addressed these issues.

The Role of the PRCS in Disaster PreparednessThe emergence of the role of the PRCS disaster preparedness has come out of anappreciation of the perceptions of the community, other agencies and above all,the National Society, through the important learning gained through its nominatedTask Group.

In the past, priorities in terms of emergencies were related more to dealing withmajor emergencies, through its EMS system and sudden onset disasters, such asearthquakes. The data and the resultant major findings have acknowledged, thatdisaster is far more varied. It very much includes current events, which also constitutedisaster in the eyes of the Palestinian people.

An important recommendation is related to this important new learning, inrecognizing the Society's need to extend its own training in preparedness andresponse. This is necessary to develop capacities in rescue, first-aid, shelter, water& sanitation issues in a different way, because catastrophe is different to anemergency. Additionally, catastrophe has been found to be relative including slowand sudden-onset anomalies.

This has been recognised in the Societie’s recommendation to create a DisasterManagement Centre, which will coordinate disaster preparedness initiativesconsistent with the findings of this study. In terms of developing this project, it isuseful that there is an already well-established EMS network and community healthprogramme, on which the new vision of disaster preparedness can be built.

Chapter 8 Discussion and Outcomes


Perhaps the most important lesson learned in this studyis that the greatest asset of the PRCS is the communityitself, and that disaster preparedness initiatives need tobe developed at community level. Linked with theprimary health outlets, opportunities exist in whichdisaster preparedness and health in the community canbecome an integrated programme. Community-based DPfocus groups need to be actively involved in the designand content of these, as the concept of vulnerability andcapacity assessment, becomes part of the process ratherthan a completed product.

Advocating for a National Disaster PlanPerhaps the most difficult part in achieving this is indefining clear roles and responsibilities of all players,and then coordinating them in an efficient manner.

The most significant role of the PRCS in disasterdiscovered vividly in this study, is the need to go forwardin preparedness cooperatively, and in partnership withother agencies. This is borne out in data from all sectionsof the community. In addition, the working relationships

facilitated by the Steering Committee involvement, havealso highlighted this.

There is a National Committee for the management ofEmergencies, which serves a mainly reactive rather thanproactive role. It currently involves cooperation betweenthe Civil Defence, the PRCS, Ministry of Health andmilitary medical services. It does not involve many ofthe key facets, identified as important by all the peopleand organisations participating in this study. The seriousinterest of members of the Steering Committee of thisVCA underpins the importance with which the study isperceived, and the will to create a national plan.

The structure for a National Emergency Committeeshown below in figure 24 appears to reflect the ideas ofthe Palestinian people for future directions in designinga national emergency committee. Whilst thisincorporates the idea of cooperative and integratedoperation, it will be for a National DP Forum to worktogether to agree upon the exact nature of a nationalcommittee, as part of the quest for the establishment ofa National Disaster Plan.

An interesting observation within this study was the 'gap'between the ideas generated from the communities andthe Ministry/Institutions that can serve as useful baselines,from which the national plan can be developed. Ofunique value the information from the children/youthgroup which provides such a planning group, with richand interesting ideas.

The impact of the study on all concerned sectors hasfacilitated enlightenment about each other's functions,and shared hitherto unrecognised possibilities for all, indeveloping future plans. This is powerful because it is

likely that the eventual national plan will now allowthis 'new view of reality' to modify and integrateindividual emergency plans, which might previouslyhave not considered the important needs of thecommunities we serve.

This VCA study has facilitated process of thinking as aphilosophy for disaster preparedness in the PRCS.Importantly, it has empowered PRCS employees tobecome dynamic action researchers, where partners andcommunity have become united in ParticipatoryLearning and Action for the future.

Figure 24: Potential Structure of a National Committee for Disaster

81Appendices

References

1. Ministry of Health (1998) "The Status of Health in Palestine", Palestinian National Authority

2. Ministry of Planning & International Corporation & Groups of Consultants (MOPIC), "Master Plan for Sewageand Storm Water Drainage in the Gaza Governorates", Gaza, Palestine

3. Daoud S "PHG - Nablus Office Activities during the Last year (1999-2000)" Water & Sanitation, No.4 June2000, p40-45

4. Saleh A (1998) "Internal Evaluation of Palestinian Water Industry", Water & Sanitation No.4, June 2000p.26-35

5. Applied Research Institute (1997) "The Status of the Environment in the West Bank", Published by AppliedResearch Institute-Jerusalem.

6. El Mahallawi K "Assessment and Improvement of Drinking water Quality in Gaza Strip", Water & EnvironmentNo.4, June 2000, p15-25

7. Palestinian National Authority (1999) "Final results: Population Report (West Bank)", Palestinian Bureau ofStatistics.

8. Scientific Paper: "Estimation of Hydrological Drought Occurrence and Impacts by Using Historical RainfallData of the West Bank Area", Water & Environment No. 4 June 2000 p.46-49

9. Applied Research Institute (1998) "Water Resources and Irrigated Agriculture in the West Bank, AppliedResearch Institute-Jerusalem

11. Applied Research Institute (2000) "An Atlas of Palestine (West Bank & Gaza)", Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem

12. Heiberg, M & Ovensen G (1993) Eds "Palestinian Society: In Gaza, West Bank and Arab Jerusalem-A Surveyof Living Conditions", Oslo: FAFO-Report 151, 1993

13. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (1995) UNRWA in Figures, Headquarters, September 1998

14. CIA The World Fact Book 1999 - West Bank www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/we.html

15. Palestinian Academy for the Study of International Affairs, "Water and Sanitation", www.passia.org/publications/passia diary/Agenda98/11.htm

16. Palestinian National Authority Official Website,

Facts About Palestine: "Palestinian Infrastructure and Transport", www.pna.net/facts/pal infrastructure.htm

17. Palestinian Bureau of Statistics, "Secondary Health Care Statistics in the Palestinian Territory 1996-1997",www.pcbs.org/english/health/leal rep.htm

18. EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database Profiles of Hazards, www.md.ucl.ac.be/cred/profiles/regions/rawdata/wasi.txt

19. International Geological Correlation Programme, "Seismotonic & Seismic Hazard Assessments", No.382 ofthe Mediterranean Basin (SESAME), Annual Report 1998 www.seismo.ethz.ch/gshap/sesame/sesame98.html

20. Dabeek, Dr J, Report on earthquakes (commissioned by request of PRCS for the VCA), Earth Sciences Centre,Al Naja University, Nablus 18th Sept 2000

21. IFRC Disaster Preparedness: Rapid Assessment Mission Palestine, 14th August 2000, Amman

22. FAS Nuclear Forces Guide-Israel, "Special Weapons Facilities"

http://sun00781.dn.net/nuke/guide/israel/facility/index.html

23. Arabic News.Com "Israel wall of secrecy on nuclear reactor is down" Israel International 10th March 1997,www.arabicnews.com/ansun/Daily/Day/97101.3/1997101.333.html

24. UNRWA Report: Official Record - Fifty second Session Supplement No.13 (A/52/13)

www.un.org/Depts/dpa/qpal/docs/A_52_13.htm

25. Passia Website, Palestinian Facts and Information, www.passis.org

26. Patton M Q (1990) "Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods", Sage Publications

27. McNiff J, Lomax P & Whitehead J (1996) "You and Your Action Research Project" London: Routledge.

28. Reason P & Heron J (1996) "A Participatory Inquiry Paradigm" University of Bath

29. Phillips E & Pugh D (1994) "How to Get a PhD", 2nd Edition Open University Press: Philadelphia

30. Dey I (1993) "Qualitative Analysis", Routledge: London.

31. Gregory J (1996) "The Psychosocial Education of Nurses: The Interpersonal Dimension", Avebury: England


32. Thelan M (1960) "Education and the Human Quest", Harper Row.

33. Joyce & Weill M (1986) "Models of Teaching", London: Prentice Hall.

34. Ministry of Health (1998) "Annual Report", Palestinian National Authority

35. UNICEF(2000) "The State of the World's Children 200, United Nations Children's Fund, New York

36. McConnon I (2000) (Ed), "Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response", The SphereProject, Oxfam Publishing: England

37. IFRC (1999) "Strategy 2010", International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, Geneva.

38. IFRC (2000) "World Disasters report 2000", International Federation of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies,Geneva

39. Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation (1999) "National Plan of Action for Palestinian Children",Secretariat for the NPAPC, El Bireh,

40. Weisberg

41. Hammond et al

42. Rubin H & Rubin I (1995) "Qualitative Interviewing: the Art of Hearing Data", Sage: England

43. Brennan J (1992) "Mixing Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Research", Avebury: England

44. Merriam S B & Simpson E (1995) "A Guide to Research for Educators and Trainers of Adults", Malabar:Florida

45. Jarvis P (1999) "The Practitioner-Researcher: Developing Theory for Practice", Jossey Bass: California

46. IFRC (1999) "Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment" International Federation of the Red Cross & Red CrescentSocieties, Geneva

47. Baskett P & Weller R (1988) "Medicine for Disasters", Butterworth Ltd: England

83Appendices

Appendix 1

Consulted Ministries and Institutions� Water Resources Department

� Electricity Generating Department

� Public Labour Department

� Pecdar Institute

� Ministry of Supplies

� Ministry of Social Affairs

� Radio & Television Board

� Ramallah & El-Bireh Governorate

� Ministry of Education

� Ministry of Interior

� Ministry of Labour

� Ministry of Industry

� Ministry of Local Governance

� Palestinian Health Council

� Red Crescent Society

� Minstry of Education

� Ministry of Agriculture

� Ministry of Finance

� Research Institute

� Earth and Earthquakes Sciences

� Saving the Land institute

� International Movement for Defending Children

� UNRAWA

� Rescue


� Ministry of Environmental Affairs

� ICRC

� Swiss Rescue Agency

� Anera Institute

� Civil Defence


� Governance

� Ministry of Supplies

� Ministry of Energy


Appendix 2

Persons Interviewed from Ministries and InstitutionsNo Name Occupation/Institute

1 Omer Awwad Manager/ Water and Planning Resources Department

2 Ghaleb Al-Shanti Manager/ Electricity Generating Department, Ramallah

3 Faisel Farahat Ministry of Transportation

4 Mutasem Amoose Ministry of Public Labour

5 Mohammed Eshteetah Manager/Pecdar

6 Waleed Al- Tameemi Manager/ Ministry of Supplies, Ramallah

7 Abdullah Al- Horanee Manager/ Ministry of Affairs

8 Ena'm Sha'ban Manager/ Radio & Television Relations

9 Mu'en Ansawi Ramallah & El-Bireh Governorate

10 Fawaz Droobe Ministry and Education

11 Tameem AbdulRahem Director Manager/Ministry of Interior

12 Safe Seed Manager/Ministry of Labour

13 Ghazi Atone Manager/Ministry of Industry

14 Housein Al Natoor Ministry of Local Governance

15 Hekmat Al Agourie Palestinian Health Council

16 Hussar Tarawa PRCS/Media Unit

17 Mohammed Al- Remain Ministry of Education

18 Walled Hawaii Ministry of Agriculture

19 Adulate Al- Afire Manager/ Finance Department

20 Dr. Jade Shaw Manager/ Research Institute

21 Jalap Al-Dabbed Earth and Earthquakes Sciences Centre

22 Ali Al She'd Saving the Land Institute

23 Masher Abu Dinah Refugees Studies Centre

24 Eyed Abu Quotes International Movement for Defending Children

25 Mohammed Al Ode UNRAWA

26 Mohammed Safe Medical Relief Services

27 Ream Meddle Medical Relief Services

28 Manhood Halide Manager/ Ministry of industry

29 Mohammed Al Thumbnail Ministry of Environmental Affairs

30 Nasser Al Behaves Ministry of Environmental Affairs

31 Martin Hahn ICRC

32 Nadir Fran sees Swiss Rescue Agency

33 Ameerah Barham Swiss Rescue Agency

34 Adnan Obeedat Manager/ Anera Institute

35 Saleh Zeedan Civil Defence

36 Mahmoud Khalid Ministry of Industry, Industrial Security

37 Dr. Ezat Ayoob Manager/ Ramallah Governorate

38 Basheer Shaban Ministry of Supplies

39 Dr. Fawzi Hasooneh Ministry of Power

40 Hossam Al Sharkawi PRCS

41 Greta Van Leche Save the Children

42 Dr Ali Shah Save the Children

43 Faritaz Forliq Swedish Organisation for Cooperation and Development

44 Faisal Freehat Ministry of Works

45 Motassim Amouse Ministry of Works

85Appendices

Appendix 3

Steering Committee Members

No Name Organisation

1 Dr Baseem Remawi Ministry of Health

2 Sami Mustaklin Civil Defence

3 Graham Betts-Symonds DP Consultant IFRC

4 Dr Haakon Aars Health Delegate IFRC

5 Per Allen Olsen Federation Representative IFRC

6 Siri Guy Mohamed UNRWA

7 Bertrand Bainnvel UNICEF

8 Younis Al Khatib PRCS President

9 AbdelQader Abu Awad Task Group Leader, PRCS

10 Randa Hamed Task Group Member

11 Magida Awashreh Planning Department

12 Khowla Abu Khaleel Ministry of Local Government

13 Laila Moqdaadi Ministry of Local Government

14 Mohamed Abu Eishah Ministry of Social Welfare

15 Dr Mohamed Oddeh UNRWA

16 Dr Mohamed Awadeh Task Group Member

17 Hassan Basharat Task Group Member

18 Peter Bult UNICEF


Appendix 4

Community Focus Group Interview Guideline Questions1. Arrange the hazards that are in the attached list (appendix 6), which according to your point of view may

threaten the safety of you, others and the community in general (Property, Economy, Agriculture, infrastructure).What are the expected hazards?

2. Who is the most vulnerable to these disasters in your opinion?

3. How can disaster influence the Local Community as a whole?

4. What are the available capacities and resources in the community for Disaster Preparedness when it occurs?

5. How would you face the disaster if it happened?

6. In your opinion,

- What are the main requirements for DP prior to the occurrence?

- What needs to be done to avoid its occurrence?

7. How do you perceive the role of the local community in rebuilding after the event of disaster in the long term?

8. What is the role of Ministries and NGO'S in Disaster Preparedness?

87Appendices

Appendix 5

Record Sheet for Participant in Focus Group Discussions

Facilitator:

Date:

Group: Local Community Service Providers

No Name Occupation Age SexMale/Female


Appendix 6

Common Guidelines Agreed For Facilitators Working With a Focus Group� Session timing: an hour and a half (90 minutes mostly)

� One facilitator runs the session

� The reporter writes down the notes by using the assigned form

� Number of participants ranges from 10-15

� Seating has to be in a semi-circle shape (open circle)

� The room has to be closed, no photos or smoking is allowed

� No exit or entrance after the beginning of the session

� Involving every body in the discussions in a friendly atmosphere

� Neutrality, not to show opinion of what is being discussed

� Facilitating the discussion to ensure all guideline points are covered

� Focus group attendance record form, to be filled by the participants in the end of the session.

89Appendices

Appendix 7

Summary Form for Completion by the Facilitator

Immediately Following Focus Group Interview Session

Date: _______________ Governorate: _______________

Working Team Names: 1. ________________ Name of the Village/City/Camp________

2. _______________

Number of Participants: Males_____________

Females___________

Q1. In your opinion, what are the expected hazards that may happen in your area?

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

Q2. In your opinion, who is most vulnerable to these disasters?

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

Q3. How can disasters influence the Local Community as a whole?

� Population

� Children

� Men

� Handicapped

� Elderly

� School Children

� Workers


� Youth

� Infra structure Houses

� Sewage

� Electricity

� Water

� Telephones

� Health Services

� Streets

� Schools

� People Movement

� Others

Q4. What are the available capacities and resources in the community for Disaster Preparedness at its occurrence?

� Schools

� Health Clinics

� Hospitals

� Municipality

� Clubs

� Public Squares

� Religious Places

� Water Tanks

� Cars

� Specialist

� Vocational Persons

� Volunteers

� The area inhabitants

� Kindergarten

� Nurseries

� Women/Youth/Cooperativeness/charity

� Others

Q5.A In your opinion, what are the main requirements for DP before its occurrence?

Q6.B What has to be done before disaster occurs?

Q7. How would you face the disaster in case it occurred?

Q8. How do you perceive the role of the Local Community in rebuilding and facing the influence of the disaster onthe long term?

Q9. What is the role of Ministries and NGO's in Disaster Preparedness?

Ministries

Ministry of Local Governance Ministry of Affairs

Civil Defence Ministry of Health

Ministry of Environment Ministry of Interior

Ministry of Transportation Ministry of Labour

Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Industry

Ministry of Communication Ministry of Supplies

Others

91Appendices

Appendix 8

Locations of Focus groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

No Focus Group location Area Notes

1 Hebron City Hebron/WB Service Area

2 Al- Fawar Camp Hebron/WB Local Community

3 El-O'beidiyyah Village Bethlehem/WB Local Community

4 Nablus City Nablus/WB Services

5 Tayaseer Village Nablus/WB Local

6 Fasayel Village Jericho/WB Local

7 Jenin City Jenin/WB Local

8 Bethlehem City Bethlehem/WB Local

9 Budrus Village Ramallah/WB Local

10 Al-Jalazone Camp Ramallah/WB Local

11 Noor Al- Shams Camp Tulkarem/WB Local

12 Jerusalem Jerusalem/WB Local

13 Al-Zawideh Village Gaza

14 Al- Mawasee Village Gaza

15 Beet Lahia Gaza

16 Deer Al- Balah Gaza

17 Khan Younis Gaza

18 Gaza Gaza

19 Rafah Gaza

20 Jabaleh Camp Gaza

21 Al- Nasserat Camp Gaza

22 Beteen Camp Ramallah/WB Children

23 Al- Fara' Camp Nablus/WB Children

24 Nablus City Nablus/WB Children

25 Askar Camp Nablus/WB Children

26 Khan Younis Gaza Children


Appendix 9

Number of Participants in the Focus Groups

(Villages & Camps & Children's Groups)

Villages

No Village Name Male Female Total NotesParticipants Participants

1 El- O'beidiyyeh Village 7 10 17 Local Community

2 Tayaseer Village 14 17 31 Local Community

3 Fasayel Village 17 17 Local Community

4 Budrus Village 15 27 42 Local Community

Total 4 Villages 107

Camps

No Village Name Male Female Total NotesParticipants Participants

1 Noor Al-Shams Camp 10 2 12 Local Community

2 Al-Fawwar Camp 13 11 24 Local Community

3 Al-Jalazone Camp 14 24 38 Local Community

Total 74

Children's Focus Group Workshops

Location Number

Betten Village 22

Al-Fara' Camp (two workshops) 22

Nablus City 22

Askar Camp 23

Khan Younis (3 workshops) 24

Total 113

93Appendices

Appendix 10

Names & Numbers of Participants within Focus Group

Gaza Strip

No Area Name Males Females Total

1 Al-Zawideh Village 5 8 13

2 Al-Mawasee Village 1 11 12

3 Beet Lahia 12 12

4 Deer Al-Baleh City 19 4 23

5 Khan Younis City 10 14 24

6 Gaza City 12 17 29

7 Rafah City 11 3 14

8 Jabaleh Camp 2 8 10

9 Al-Nseerat camp 4 20 24

10 Jabaleh camp 1 9 10

Total 171

Total of participants from villages = 37

Total of participants from cities = 90

Total of participants from camps = 44

West Bank + Gaza = 429


Appendix 11

Areas and Numbers of Participants within Focus Groups

West Bank

No Name of area Males Females Total Notes

1 Hebron City 4 7 11 Service Area

2 Al- Fawwar Camp 13 11 24 Local Community

3 El-O'beidiyyeh Village 7 10 17 Local Community

4 Nablus city 15 10 25 Service Providers

5 Tayaseer Village 14 17 31 Local Community

6 Fasayel Village 17 17 Local Community

7 Jenin City 12 12 Local Community

8 Bethlehem City 8 4 12 Local Community

9 Budrus Village 15 27 42 Local Community

10 El- Jalazone Camp 14 24 38 Local Community

11 Noor Al-Shams Camp 10 2 12 Local Community

12 Jerusalem 8 9 17 Local Community

Total 258

95

Appen

dices

Appendix 12

Likert Scale Questionnaire Tool Relating to Hazards

Instructions to Participants:

Arrange the hazards that are in the attached list, which according to your point of view may threaten yours and the others safety and the area in general (of properties,Economy, Agriculture, Infrastructure, others)

No Hazards Cannot Unlikely Likely More Likely Most Likely Sudden/(Identified from the Secondary Predict UnpredictableData review)

1 Floods/Heavy Rain

2 Snow/ Snow Storms

3 Epidemics

4 Famine

5 High Tension Cables

6 Chemical Pollution

7 Political Events

8 Water Shortage

9 Open Sewage

10 Earthquakes

11 Violence accidents

12 Forest Fires

13 Nuclear Radiation

14 Work Accidents

15 Insecticide/ herbicide

16 Traffic Accidents/Car Crashes

17 Drought/ Desertification

18 Animal & Poultry Diseases

19 Water & Sea Pollution

20 Soil Erosion and Land Slides

21 Food poisoning


Appendix 13

Data from the Quantitative Analysis Referring to Distribution of Questions answered in theLikert Scale(see appendix 12)

The modal approach showing Hazards as either likely, more likely or most likely events

Most Likely More Likely Others

q7, q8, q9 q16 q1, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6, q10, q11, q12, q13, q14, q15, q17, q18, q19,q20, q21

Respondents Consensus in the Most Likely Occurring Hazards - Palestine

Consensus in returning Hazard Variation Ratio ProbabilityHazards as most likely

Majority q7 0.50 Most Likely

q8 0.50 Most Likely

No majority q9 0.58 Most Likely

q16 0.62 More Likely

Index of comparative criticality (CC Index)

Hazards CC Index Probability of occurrence Rank

Political Related Events 0.33 Most Likely 1


Open Sewage 0.38 Most Likely 2


West BankThe modal approach showing Hazards as either likely, more likely or most likely events


q8 q7, q16 q1, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6,q9, q10, q11, q12, q13, q14, q15, q17, q18,q19, q20, q21

Respondents Consensus in the most likely occurring hazards - West Bank

Consensus in returning Hazard Variation RatioHazards as most likely

majority None

no majority q8 0.610

q7 0.589

q16 0.628

97Appendices

Gaza StripThe modal approach showing Hazards as either likely, more likely or most likely events


q7, q8, q9, q19, q21 q11, q16 q1, q2, q3, q4, q5, q6, q10, q12, q13, q14, q15, q17,q18, q20

Respondents’ Consensus in the most likely occurring hazards - Gaza Strip

Consensus in returning Hazard Variation Ratio ProbabilityHazards as most likely

majority q8 0.35 Most Likely

q7 0.39 Most Likely

q9 0.48 Most Likely

no majority q21 0.58 Most Likely

q19 0.60 Most Likely




Appendix 14Children and Youth Drawings Analysis

Disasters Perceived by Children and Youth through Artwork and Interview

Location Age Comments on drawing from participants

Ramallah 10 Volcano erupting

Ramallah 13 Volcano erupting. Volcanoes cause poisoning of the air and throw fire to burn trees.Pollution

Ramallah 9 Picture of a volcano erupting and children crying





Ramallah 12 Volcano erupting. Volcanoes have poisonous gas and melted materials and they causeburning of houses.

Ramallah 11 Air Pollution. The picture shows a 'no' for pollution and a 'yes' for fresh air. Pollutioncauses birds to be destroyed. It comes from factories and cars.

Ramallah 13 Drought. The picture is divided into two; on one side depicting dark colours and novegetation, on the other showing green colourful vegetation and water.

Ramallah 9 Conflict/war in a typical clash scene.

Nablus 11 Conflict/war


Nablus 10 Conflict/war. Ambulances and medical tents shown








Nablus 12 War. The drawing depicts the bombing of cities with rockets. Tanks are firing at airplanes.There are house, schools and mosques on fire. People are injured and ambulances/fireengines are rescuing people.

Nablus 12 Conflict/war. A lot of action is shown in the picture. Israeli planes are firing rockets atpeople. Palestinians are firing back and one plane is shot down. An aeroplane shoots aPalestinian dead. A child calls for help. Israeli jeeps are depicted getting ready to entera mosque. Gaza airport is represented. This means that we can have airplanes to helpthe Palestinians.

Nablus 10 Volcanoes. These can cause trees to be destroyed and people to be wounded and die.Natural volcanoes are always far away from people. If they are close to you, you will getinjured.

Nablus 13 Volcano erupting. It causes the killing of people and the burning of forests

Nablus 11 Volcanoes erupting



Nablus 10 Earthquake. Picture showing fires, damage to houses, cars broken downand peopleinjured. Ambulance is evacuating the injured. A child runs into the street. Fire enginesbring water. Helicopters are shown to evacuate people. The helicopters are very busy

Nablus 11 Forest Fires showing the Fire service called to help.

Nablus 7 Fires. Picture shows houses with flames coming from the roof.

99Appendices

Nablus 10 Floods. Picture coloured blue in its entirety with two single trees being swept away.Families will be displaced.

Nablus 7 Floods

Nablus 12 Floods

Nablus 9 Pollution. The picture shows a factory emitting smoke blowing over a house.

Nablus 11 Pollution. There is a picture of a factory emitting smoke and an ambulance. It representspeople asking the PRCS to help people.

Nablus 11 Pollution. Picture depicts smoke

Nablus 18 Pollution. Shows a factory with smoke emerging. Pollution comes from factories, whichaffects the ozone layer, causes disease and rises in temperature. Also depicted in thedrawing:In case of fire we lose lots of trees and there are not enough materials forfeeding. It affects carpenters and touristic areas.Leaking of chemicals into the sea causeswater pollution and epidemics.Industrial waste also pollutes the environment and peoplecannot survive.

Nablus 17 Pollution of air and water.. The picture represents both types of pollution of theenvironment through factories and cars

Nablus 9 Car accidents depicted





Nablus 13 Car Accidents depicted. Picture shows a sudden car accident. We live in an environmentthat has mountains, and suddenly the car slides off the road, and down the mountain,because its winter and there is lightning. I was watching the car falling down, and callingpeople and the ambulance for help.

Nablus 9 Non specific disaster depicting non-specific objects

Nablus 11 Non specific disaster depicting non-specific objects

Khan Younis 10 Car accidents depicted

Khan Younis 12 Floods. There is water and two ambulances. Two people are holding a child who isinjured.

Disaster Preparedness Depicted in Artwork by Children and Youth

Location Age Comments

Ramallah 7 Awareness and schools. The picture denotes preparedness through schools. Guidance andcounselling as a means to create awareness in children

Ramallah 14 Awareness Campaign. Drawing records a lecture that took place in the village council. Itshows a TV talking about pollution and disaster. Praying to God for help.

Ramallah 13 Preparedness and Capacities. The picture shows an ambulance, health centre, and shelter.The ambulance can assist in transporting people as there is no transportation.

Ramallah 13 Preparedness in supplies and storage.

Ramallah 11 Preparing for floods. The picture shows sand blocks in a village to protect against floods.

Ramallah 12 Preparing for floods. The picture shows sand blocks in a village to protect against floods.

Ramallah 11 Preparing for floods. The drawing shows a house and trees. A light is on in the house. Hewants to go into it but people have closed it up with wood to protect it from floods.

Ramallah 11 Preparing for floods. The picture shows houses, trees and a river. There are floods andpeople go into their houses.

Ramallah 13 Preparedness for floods. Floods causing damage to houses. The drawing is divided intofour frames, with each one progressing from a normal rural scene, to clouds forming rainand then damaged trees. An ambulance is shown coming to assist.

Ramallah 11 Fire preparedness. The scene shows a child in a house playing with fire and catches fire.His father comes home, takes the child out and saves him.


Ramallah 11 Preparedness for drought. The picture is divided into two frames. Drought is shown onone side with a scene of poor vegetation. On the other side is a colourful scene showinggood soil, rain and plants.

Ramallah 12 Preparedness for pollution. Picture shows full water wells and food storage for disasters.The picture shows a meeting of people discussing how to keep the village clean. Shows aschool with awareness campaign regarding pollution. There is a TV screen withprogrammes about awareness and the utilization of different things for awareness.

Ramallah 13 Preparedness by providing services to the villages. The picture shows a pharmacy. Thisprovides necessary medicines and time will be saved if there is a pharmacy in eachvillage.

Ramallah 7 Pharmacies.

Ramallah 12 Picture shows a cause-effect relationship Factory = pollution War = death Floods = deathand damage to trees Industrial waste in the sea = killing of sea life Hospital and ambulance.

Ramallah 13 Preparedness for war. The picture shows field hospitals, ambulances, stretchers andspecialised people.

Nablus 9 Cooperation and coordination. The picture is a football pitch in which two sides areplaying together. The political situation is like a football match and there should becoordination between the two teams. The reason for carrying out this game is so that theycan coordinate with each other in case of disaster. (Metaphor)

Nablus 8 Preparedness. The picture shows a helicopter coming down to assist in floods.

Nablus 11 Preparedness for volcanoes. Every year volcanoes will erupt. (Indicating prior warning).The picture shows a TV and radio (indicating early warning)

Nablus 12 Preparedness for floods and mixed disasters. Hospitals and ambulances.

Nablus 8 Preparedness showing a hospital



Nablus 6 Preparedness showing a hospital and ambulances

Nablus 9 Preparedness. The picture shows evacuation teams

Nablus 7 Flood preparedness. Picture shows water, ambulance and Federation Emblem.

Nablus 11 Preparedness for war.



Nablus 14 Preparedness in general. A hospital, and people fighting. There is a flood scene andvolcanoes damaging houses. Shows damage to agriculture.

Nablus 18 Preparedness for pollution. Water pollution can lead to disaster. Drawing of a boilersystem to demonstrate water pollution. We need a boiler system because the water is sopolluted. The water system needs maintenance so we can get fresh water. (Metaphor)

Khan Younis 10 Preparedness for drowning. Shows a child drowning in the sea and other childrenswimming. There is a boat in the sea with other people watching.

Khan Younis 10 Preparedness with ambulances and EMS

Khan Younis 10 Preparedness with ambulances and EMS

101Appendices

Appendix 15

Comparative Review of the Themes of DrawingsProduced by the Children's Groups

Disaster Ramallah Ages Nablus Ages KhanYounis Age Total

Volcano 8 6,9,10,12,12, 5 8,9,10,11,13 1313,13,13

Pollution 1 18 5 9,11,11,17,18 6

Drought 1 13 1

Conflict 1 9 12 8,10,10,10, 1310, 10,11,11,11,12,12,12

Earthquake 1 10 1

Fires 2 7,11 2

Floods 4 7,10,12,12 1 12 5

Car Accidents 6 7,8,9,9,9,13 1 10 7

Mixed 2 9,11 2

11 37 2 50

Disaster Type, ages of participants and location of children doing artwork(Sample Group reviewed = 50)

Preparedness Ramallah Ages Nablus Ages K.Younis Ages TotalIdeas

Awareness in 2 7,14 2schools &Community

Floods 5 11,11,11, 1 7 612,13

Supplies, 4 7,13,13,13 4storage &equipment

Fire 1 11 1

Drought 1 11 1

Pollution 1 18 1 18 2

Conflict 1 13 3 11,13,15 4

EMS, Hospital 7 6,6,8,8,8,9,12 2 10,10 9& Helicopters

Volcanoes 1 11 1

Drowning 1 10 1

Mixed 1 12 1 14 2

16 14 3 33

Ideas in Disaster preparedness referred to in artwork, showing the ages and locations (Sample Group = 33)


Appendix 16

Historical Data on Major Hazards Experienced in Nearby CountriesSource: EM-DAT (OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database)19

Country Year Event Region Continent

Israel 1970 Landslide W.Asia Asia

Israel 1983 Flood W.Asia Asia

Israel 1983 Storm W.Asia Asia

Israel 1983 Wildfire W.Asia Asia

Israel 1991 Cold wave W.Asia Asia

Israel 1992 Cold wave W.Asia Asia

Israel 1995 Wildfire W.Asia Asia

Israel 1995 Earthquake W.Asia Asia



Jordan 1927 Earthquake W.Asia Asia

Jordan 1963 Flood W.Asia Asia



Jordan 1970 Drought W.Asia Asia

Jordan 1981 Epidemic W.Asia Asia


Jordan 1983 Storm W.Asia Asia


Jordan 1989 Insect Infest W.Asia Asia


Jordan 1991 Cold wave W.Asia Asia

Jordan 1992 Cold wave W.Asia Asia

Jordan 1995 Earthquake W.Asia Asia

Kuwait 1997 Flood W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1955 Flood W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1956 Earthquake W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1983 Storm W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1983 Landslide W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1987 Flood W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1992 Storm W.Asia Asia

Lebanon 1992 Cold wave W.Asia Asia

Turkey 1990-1998 Earthquakes x 5 W.Asia Asia

Yemen 1991 Earthquake W.Asia Asia

103Appendices

Palestine Red Cresent Society

Headquarters / Al-BirehP.O.Box 3637Tel: 972-2-2406515/6/7Fax: [email protected]

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