June 2013
Why we work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a longstanding priority for the UK government. The UK wishes to see a negotiated outcome that leads to a viable and democratic Palestinian state alongside a secure and prosperous Israel, with Jerusalem as the future capital of both and a fair settlement for refugees.
The Palestinian Authority has made impressive progress building state institutions, improving security and managing the economy in the West Bank. However, significant challenges remain.
Many Palestinians remain highly aid dependent and vulnerable, with around 5 million refugees in the region reliant on the UN for basic services. The UN has described Gaza as being in a state of ‘de-development’, with 39% of people living in poverty. And although Israel has relaxed some access restrictions the situation remains fragile, and future humanitarian crises cannot be ruled out.
While progress in the West Bank has been relatively strong, the UN has described Gaza as being in a state of ‘de-development’. Photo: © UNRWA.
What we will achieve
UK aid is focused on supporting the Palestinian economy, helping to build state institutions, improving security and access to justice as an investment in peace, and helping the most vulnerable. Given the conflict our development programme remains flexible – in order to respond to major changes in the political and operating environment.
Our programme will:
- Give predictable financial support to help deliver basic services to ordinary Palestinians;
- Improve accountability, security and justice for the Palestinian people – this will include helping women victims of violence by improving facilities at three family protection units and providing information, advice and legal assistance services for over 3,000 vulnerable households;
- Provide basic services to refugees across the region through the UN agency for Palestinian refugees;
- Help develop the private sector to stimulate the economy, including supporting 250 enterprises a year to improve their annual sales or productivity performance; support cash transfers benefitting over 220,000 individuals; and
- Provide primary education for over 36,000 children.
Who we will work with
The international community continues to recognise the Palestinian Authority, led by President Abbas, as the legitimate Palestinian partner for peace. The scale and effectiveness of our programme means that the UK has become a donor trusted by the Palestinian Authority, international agencies, and by the Non-Governmental Organisations with whom we work in partnership.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), is the partner through which we support the provision of basic services – like education, health and social services – to around five million registered Palestine refugees in the Middle East. We also work closely with a wide range of other partners to ensure that our programme is aligned to the political context, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the United Nations and the Office of the Quartet Representative.
How we will work
Working in a fragile and conflict-affected environment presents particular challenges. We monitor and rigorously manage risks to our programme. But the work of building the economy and institutions of a future Palestinian state, and promoting prospects for peace, requires us to be ambitious.
More than ever, in the current financial climate, we have a duty to show that we are achieving value for money in everything we do. Results, transparency and accountability will be our watchwords and we are determined to get value for money for every hard-earned taxpayer pound spent on development. This means that we will continually monitor and measure the impact of our programmes to inform future plans.
More information
For a more detailed breakdown of DFID’s Operational Plan for the Occupied Palestinian Territories please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfid-palestinian-programme-operational-plan-2011-2015
DFID Palestinian Programme, Middle East and North Africa Department, 22 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2EG
General Enquiries: enquiry@dfid.gov.uk
Country: United Kingdom
Subject: Assistance, Economic issues
Publication Date: 30/06/2013