COVID-19 Protection Needs Identification and Analysis
State of Palestine
Highlights
Prior to the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the State of Palestine,
the country was already affected by a protracted humanitarian protection crisis
due to the ongoing occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The country level Child Protection Area of Responsibility (AoR) wished to explore
the impact of COVID-19 on children’s health, education, well-being, safety and
protection as well as on families’ socioeconomic situation.
The Needs Identification Assessment Framework (NIAF) COVID-19 is an investigative
approach to identify and assess the needs of vulnerable children and changes in
child protection risks caused by COVID-19. The approach produces an evidencebased
analysis to better inform humanitarian and child protection actors in their
operational planning of child protection response.
The NIAF COVID-19 in the State of Palestine relied on secondary data and was
conducted remotely due to movement restrictions. Building on a rigorous review,
data was extrapolated from child protection actors, cluster information management
systems and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) tele services.
Semistructuredinterviews were carried out with a total number of 13 CP AoR members
(representing both Gaza and West Bank) as well as two online group consultations.
Topics investigated include violence and abuse occurring within the domestic
environment; mental health and psychosocial well-being of children; child labour;
child marriage; children in contact with the law and deprived from liberty; and
child protection support and services. Available data were analysed through a
mix analysis approach to explore patterns and trends, gaps and priorities, and to
establish future possible scenarios.
Data analysis considered the socioecological model where the relevance was
given to the interconnectedness of the broader socio-ecological environment of
children. This supports a description of how child protection concerns are associated
to multiple, interrelated factors.
Owing to time constraints and to the nature of the study, differences in the impact
of COVID-19 and the resulting needs of children were not explored by age groups,
poverty and minority groups.
