USAID/OTI West Bank and Gaza Success Story
March 2007
Youth in Gaza Mobilize for Flood Clean-Up Effort
USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) program in the West Bank and Gaza aims to support emerging and democratic leaders in establishing community-based credibility and to strengthen constituencies for peace to generate grassroots demand for change in the West Bank and Gaza. The program complements other activities of the USAID WBG Mission, and targets critical, time sensitive initiatives consistent with the Mission's transformational development objectives and U.S. foreign policy objectives.
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| LHA volunteers cleaning a flooded home in Um an Naser in Gaza. |
On March 27, 2007, a large wave of effluent from a sewage treatment plant in Northern Gaza flooded the nearby village of Um An Nasser, leaving houses damaged and destroyed.
Following the flooding, the Life and Hope Association (LHA), a Gaza NGO, and its volunteers decided to take action. With in-kind support from USAID/OTI, the LHA mobilized more than 150 youth volunteers to assist 100 homeowners by cleaning debris and sand from their flooded homes. Volunteers also assisted in the clean-up of a private kindergarten and a community center. One homeowner, touched by the support of the volunteers, said "We were comforted when we saw the buses full of volunteers coming to help us, this is the most anyone can offer."
The USAID/OTI grant provided LHA with shovels, wheelbarrows, garbage bags, soap, brooms, as well as gloves and protective clothing for the volunteers. Activities began on Saturday, March 31 when LHA conducted an orientation with the volunteers, met with the local committee and the families to discuss implementation and the clean up ran for a total of five days. LHA leadership remained at Um an Naser to provide project oversight and support to the community and debriefed the volunteers at the end of the project.
LHA is a moderate Gaza NGO and previously worked with project USAID/OTI on four activities. By removing mud and cleaning the houses in the village, the grant will not only restore damaged homes but will enhance the visibility of LHA and demonstrate the organization's responsiveness to the priorities of the community. This activity was covered favorably in the Al-ayyam newspaper, Firas Press, WAFA News Agency and Alwatan Voice.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Brenda Barrett, Program Manager, E-mail: bbarrett@usaid.gov;
Telephone: (202) 712-1339
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