Occupied Palestinian Territory COVID-19 Response Plan

On the 5th of March 2020, the Palestinian Prime Minister declared a state of emergency across the occupied Palestinian territories to contain the spread of COVID-19. Due to the current situation, it is expected that women and children might not receive essential health care due to health service re-prioritization. It is also likely that violence against children will increase due to restrictions on movement as well as heightened tension in the household.

This document presents the joint strategy of the humanitarian community to respond to the public health needs and immediate humanitarian consequences of the pandemic in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The primary focus of the plan is prevention, preparedness and treatment of the disease. For example, it aims to support the scaling up of testing and hospital capacity, but it also includes a strategy for how to support children’s emotional and psychosocial well-being.