Consultancy for undertaking a Real-time-review of the Palestinian diaspora humanitarian response in Gaza At Danish Refugee Council

1- Who is the Danish Refugee Council and DEMAC?

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.

DEMAC, the Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination network, is an initiative hosted by the Diaspora Programme. DEMAC aims at enhancing diaspora emergency response capacity and coordination local actors with the institutional humanitarian system. The objective is to contribute to transforming the humanitarian landscape by laying the ground for a deeper understanding of diasporas as humanitarian actors with different modus operandi for the implementation of aid, identifying and opening potential spaces for engagement, cross-fertilization and increased coordination between diaspora and institutional relief providers.

To read more, please visit www.demac.org.

2- Summary

As the Israeli offensive in Gaza continues, the humanitarian crisis has deepened significantly. As of June 2024, around 1.9 million people, approximately 85% of Gaza’s population, have been internally displaced. Additionally, ongoing Israeli military operations have forced 150,000 people to evacuate from Rafah in southern Gaza​​​​.

The number of people in acute humanitarian need in Gaza has reached alarming levels. Over 1.1 million people are facing catastrophic food insecurity due to severe limitations on humanitarian access and intense conflict conditions. This has created a situation where most of the population is struggling to meet basic needs, including food, water, and medical supplies​​​​.

Recognizing that diasporas are often the first responders in humanitarian crises, there is a critical need to understand the role the Palestinian diaspora plays in providing relief to the Gaza population. To address this, DEMAC and the Danish Refugee Council are commissioning a Real-Time-Review of the Palestinian diaspora’s response. This review aims to map out the “Who, What, How, Where, and for whom” of the diaspora’s humanitarian activities. The findings will help inform the operational work of DEMAC and the Danish Refugee Council in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

3- Background

The civilian population in occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) continues to suffer from the consequences of the ongoing Israeli occupation. The lack of political progress on the Middle East Peace Process, the failure of Israel as the occupying power to comply with its obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), combined with the 17-years long blockade on Gaza, and the physical and political fragmentation of Palestinian territory, have resulted in a gradual deterioration of what has been a protracted crisis with serious humanitarian consequences.

Following the attacks of 7 October 2023 by Palestinian armed groups, Israel’s extensive aerial bombardment, ground offensive, and total siege on Gaza have resulted in extreme humanitarian consequences for the population residing in the strip and in the intensification of violence across the West Bank. The severe limitations on humanitarian access and the intense conflict conditions have created a situation where most of the population struggles to meet basic needs, including food, water, and medical supplies. As of June 2024, at least 34,568 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 77,765 injured (Ministry of Health in Gaza). According to estimates by the Palestinian Civil Defense, more than 10,000 people are missing under the rubble in Gaza (OCHA, June 2024). At the same time, 474 Palestinians, including 116 children, have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and about 5,000 have been injured. At least 800 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians resulted in Palestinian casualties, damage to Palestinian-owned property, or both.

In November 2023, DEMAC conducted an initial mapping of Palestinian diaspora-led organizations to assess their involvement in providing humanitarian support to affected populations in Gaza. The goal was to determine whether these organizations had access to affected populations, and how that differed from other humanitarian actors. The preliminary mapping focused on Palestinian diaspora-led organizations in Europe, the UK, and the United States. The findings indicated that these organizations were primarily engaged in advocacy, urging the international community and the governments where they were registered to condemn Israel’s offensive, call for a ceasefire, and request humanitarian access. An updated rapid mapping of Palestinian diaspora-led organizations is currently underway, now including those registered in the Middle East. While it is expected that these organizations will continue to be heavily involved in advocacy efforts, it is also expected that some will be found capable of providing direct humanitarian relief to the population of Gaza.

4- Objective of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct an in-depth review of the Palestinian diaspora’s humanitarian response following Israel’s extensive aerial bombardment, ground offensive, and total siege on Gaza. These events have led to extreme humanitarian needs in Gaza and intensified violence in the West Bank. This review will cover the scope, impact, outreach, and organization of Palestinian diaspora emergency responses from October 2023 to July 2024.

The consultancy aims to enhance understanding of the role played by global and regional Palestinian diaspora organizations in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Real-Time Review (RTR) will assess the type of access these organizations have to the affected population, how they deliver aid, the challenges they face, and their coordination with other humanitarian actors. The findings will inform DEMAC and DRC’s efforts to support and complement diaspora-led initiatives, enhancing overall humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The RTR will provide a rapid overview and recommendations in a synthetic report and snapshot format, similar to the approach used for Sudan from July to September 2023.

Building on rapid mappings of Palestinian diaspora-led organizations conducted by DEMAC and DRC in November 2023 and June 2024, which include information on organization types, responses (advocacy, humanitarian aid, fundraising), and locations of registration, the mapping will be updated and expanded. The consultant will then interview representatives from identified diaspora organizations to understand their operational strategies, fundraising, access, challenges, and support needs to enhance their effectiveness in Gaza. The consultant will gather further information from local partners, affected communities (when possible and remotely), and relevant humanitarian actors in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries.

If possible, the consultant will ensure presence in occupied Palestinian territories or in a relevant neighboring country (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, etc.). Based on DEMAC’s experience, the information collected can be sensitive, involving private funds, political dynamics, and ethnic and religious networks. Therefore, the consultant must have a deep understanding of the sophisticated situation in the Middle East and develop strong trust with key informants while maintaining objectivity and ensuring the protection and safe management of data.

The research will be completed in consultation with the DEMAC team. The consultant team will maintain regular weekly contact with the DEMAC focal point, confirming the data collection tools, list of key informant interviews (KIIs) and geographic locations. The focal point will ensure timely responses to drafts and inputs. The research activities are expected to be conducted between August 5 and September 30, 2024. The information needed from the consultants includes:

• Brief summary of the Palestinian emigration and diaspora constitution with information on the size of the diaspora, geographical location, and phases of emigration.
• Approximate number of Palestinian Diaspora Organizations globally and regionally.
• Number and locations of diaspora responses mapped, and approximate total funding collected.
• Profile and structure of diaspora supporting the response and how they are organized.
• Areas of intervention of diaspora responses mapped (sectors), including identification of areas and populations for which no or few interventions are found.
• Types, modalities, and sectors of diaspora responses.
• The role of diaspora and their responses in relation to Communication, Community Engagement, and Accountability (CCEA).
• Modalities for managing access and response constraints, e.g., fund transfer and monitoring of interventions.
• Types of partnerships diaspora are engaged in, especially with local actors and communities.
• Diaspora coordination with other diaspora, local actors, and institutional humanitarian actors, including engagement in the cluster system, and strengths and challenges in coordination.
• Strengths and potentials of the Palestinian diaspora response.
• Gaps and challenges of the Palestinian diaspora response.
• Actions (if any) Palestinian diaspora organizations took in preparation of the escalation (e.g., 2021).
• 2-5 examples of diaspora responses.
• Relevant recommendations for supporting and improving the Palestinian diaspora-led response and coordination with the humanitarian system.

It is necessary to have a consultant in the team who speaks and reads Arabic for this research. The findings will be presented together with recommendations in a synthetic report and snapshot format.

5- Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:

Expected deliverables

Indicative description tasks

Due date

Associated payment

1. Inception report

A brief inception report indicating how the objectives of the research will be achieved, and the support required from DEMAC. The inception report will include drafts of data collection tools.

5 days after the start of the consultancy

20%

2. Update and expansion of mapping of diaspora actors

Mapping in form of a table and part as an annex of the internal RTR report.[1]

5 days after the validation and acceptance of the inception report

20%

3. Visual ‘Snapshot page’

Table with key information from the diaspora organization’s mapping, to be used by DEMAC for a 1-page visual highlight (infographic)

5 pages preliminary findings document + outline for final report[2]

Max 5 pages document presenting preliminary findings right after conclusion of data collection responding briefly to the “Who, What, How, Where, and for whom”

20 days after the validation and acceptance of the inception report

20%

4. Full Real-time review report

Max 20 – 25 pages excluding visualizations and annexes. The real-time review will be drafted based on the findings of data analysis.

30 days after the validation and acceptance of the inception report

40%

5. Executive brief

1-2 pager summary on main findings and key highlights and recommendations for external audience.

4 days after approval and acceptance of the report

7. Presentation and briefing

This will be made for DEMAC and any other relevant stakeholders.

TBD

–

Payment will be provided upon completion of the deliverables according to the associated payment scheduling as seen above after validation and acceptance of the report, against each payment.

6- Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 40 days (30 working days).

The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than September 30, 2024.

The payment and timelines are as explained in the deliverables table.

7- Proposed Composition of Team

The consultant can be either an independent or a firm, the composition of the team proposed should be reasonable against the expected deliverables.

8- Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Essential:

• A minimum of 5-7 years of proven experience in mixed-methods research.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field (political or social sciences, migration studies, Middle Eastern or International studies…).
• Extensive understanding of the history of Palestinian/Israeli conflict and situation of Palestinian diaspora in the region and globally.
• Good understanding of the current context in Gaza and the humanitarian aid system in Gaza.
• Research background in diaspora/community engagement/humanitarian response/emergency.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, communication and reporting skills.
• Strong methodological and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience of conducting research in sensitive context.
• Demonstrated ability to use social media platforms for research purposes, including information gathering and trend analysis.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) Arabic and English with the ability to conduct interviews and review research in both languages.

Desirable:

• The consultant has the authorisation or is eligible to work in Israel, occupied Palestinian territories and/or neighbouring countries. Otherwise, the consultant will need to operate remotely.

9- Technical supervision

The consultant will collaborate closely with the DEMAC Emergency Coordinator and the DEMAC Research and MEAL Specialist

It is anticipated that the consultant will maintain regular weekly contact with the focal points. The focal points will be responsible for ensuring timely responses to drafts and inputs provided by the consultant.

10- Location and support

The consultant will be home based, with a preference for consultants able to ensure presence in neighbouring countries of Gaza (Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan or Syria). The Consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone.

11- Travel

If the performance of the research and data collection requires to travel to field missions, the Consultant is expected to arrange transportation, accommodation, insurance, food and to make adequate provision in the Financial Proposal.

12- Submission process

Refer to the RFP Invitation Letter.

13- Evaluation of bids

Refer to the RFP Invitation Letter.

[1] Pre-existing templates used by DEMAC for other Real-time-reviews are available for adaptation.

[2] Ibid.