“Awareness-Raising Sessions” in the middle and south areas’s displacement centers
During September and October, the Social Developmental Forum’s Youth Network conducted a series of awareness-raising sessions in “Humanitarian Work Standards During Emergencies” across various displacement camps in the middle and south areas of the Gaza Strip.
These sessions are part of the “Youth Networks Collaborating for Enhanced Integrity and Community Participation” project, implemented by the SDF in partnership with Aman Coalition for Integrity and Accountability. The awareness sessions were followed by intensive training for youth volunteers on transparency, accountability, and humanitarian principles concerning the current situation in Gaza.
The sessions aimed to increase activists’ and relief workers’ awareness of international standards and principles during emergencies by highlighting the significance of adhering to transparency and integrity standards in distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Nineteen young leaders participated in the training, where they promoted their capacity to lead awareness workshops, educate their peers, design, and lead community initiatives. After completing the training, participants conducted awareness-raising sessions for their peers and local community members in displacement camps.
Bringing Knowledge to the Practice
The workshops targeted the management committees of displacement camps, displaced youth, and volunteers involved in humanitarian work in “Together For Palestine 3,” “Brotherhood,” “Hope,” and “Steadfastness” camps and others in the middle and southern areas.
Such sessions are of high importance; it was an insightful experience from which I learned a lot and gained valuable information from skilled trainers, which I look forward to being able to reflect in the field and expand among my peers. Participants had positive feedback, concerning practical issues around transparency standards, especially being in a leadership position of managing a displacement camp.
Afnan Al-Shuraihi, young participant
The way trained youth shared knowledge with their fellows is remarkable. During a session in “Together For Palestine 3” displacement camp, the management committee actively participated in discussions, sharing how they adopted integrity standards in aid distribution and service provision within the camp.
From Training to Action
The “Youth Networks for Enhanced Integrity and Improving Community Participation” project encompasses several activities including training youth on transparency and integrity standards and youth-led peer learning sessions in displacement camps about humanitarian work standards. These efforts culminated in the Youth Summit 2024, which the network implemented with high determination, despite the challenging situation.