Victim Assistance and Capacity Building in Gaza Strip and West Bank

ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) started with its engagement in Gaza Strip and the West Bank in 2009. In cooperation with the University Rehabilitation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia – Soča (URI – Soča), ITF has since been developing and implementing projects that include physical and mental rehabilitation and local/national capacity building in the field of rehabilitation. Between 2009 and 2015, 109 children from Gaza (eleven groups) were rehabilitated at URI – Soča, over 300 children were medically triaged in Gaza by a joint URI/ITF team and 20 local physiotherapists underwent training at URI – Soča.

ITF and its experts implemented a needs assessment mission in Gaza in May 2015. From 2015, the project emphasis has been directed towards capacity building within Gaza. Based on the findings of the needs assessment, ITF implemented two projects in Gaza in 2016: “School- based Psychosocial Program in Gaza” and “Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons in Need of Artificial Limbs in Gaza Strip”. The overall objective of the projects is to respond to the need for quality rehabilitation services and psychosocial treatment for the victims of conflict in Gaza Strip and West Bank as well as the need for technical assistance and specialized training for rehabilitation professionals. In October 2016, three physiotherapists from West Bank received training at URI – Soča. In 2017 and 2018, ITF intends to continue with psychosocial assistance in Gaza, with online trainings for rehabilitation specialist from Gaza as well as with specialized training at URI – Soča.

The 2016/2017 project is financed by the Republic of Slovenia, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Republic of Korea.