• 26 Jan, 2025
• BY Heba Kamal Al-Dahdoh
• Share

Improving Humanitarian Aid Distribution Policies in Charitable Institutions: Toward Justice and Efficiency

Executive Summary:
This paper examines the challenges faced in the distribution of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip during the October 2023 war—one of the greatest humanitarian disasters in the region’s history. As a result of this unprecedented catastrophe, reliance on humanitarian assistance surged dramatically, leading to a severe decline in supplies and an inability to meet the ever‐increasing needs of the population. In this context, charitable institutions play a pivotal role despite challenges such as a lack of expertise, outdated standards, and logistical and security constraints.

The paper aims to analyze the humanitarian aid distribution policies within these institutions during the disaster and to extract lessons learned for improving the policies and systems in use. It also seeks to offer practical solutions to enhance both justice and efficiency in aid distribution. The analysis includes a comprehensive evaluation of the gaps in current policies, an explanation of their effects on the effectiveness and efficiency of aid delivery, and strategic proposals to develop policies and procedures that yield better and more impactful results amid the humanitarian crisis.

Key challenges identified include inaccurate data collection, a lack of coordination between institutions, deteriorating infrastructure, and the absence of established standards to ensure fair distribution. The underlying causes of these challenges are the absence of modern standards, the lack of a unified data system, and insufficient expertise in managing large‐scale emergencies.

The paper recommends a series of measures to improve aid distribution policies in charitable institutions to strengthen justice and efficiency and to ensure a fairer and more effective delivery of humanitarian aid despite the continuing crisis. These include developing a unified data system for beneficiaries and aid to enhance transparency; establishing a unified national coordination policy; creating a secure and effective resource storage system to guarantee rapid access in emergencies; formulating an integrated emergency response plan among humanitarian institutions; adopting a needs‐based distribution policy; setting up a community oversight mechanism to ensure distribution integrity; launching a periodic training program for relief workers with pre‐trained emergency teams; and enacting a Disaster Risk Management Law.

The importance of the proposed solutions lies in their ability to enhance justice and efficiency in the distribution of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip—thus effectively meeting the population’s needs in a transparent manner, boosting rapid response capacity, stabilizing the community, and accelerating post-war recovery.

Introduction:
Humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip is a vital lifeline for survival amid ongoing crises and devastating conflicts. In the aftermath of the deteriorating conditions following the October 2023 war, humanitarian assistance has become the lifeline for more than two million people who are suffering from the continuous deterioration of infrastructure and the loss of most basic necessities.

Despite the central role that charitable institutions play in distributing aid, the policies governing these operations lack the efficiency and fairness required to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most. The aid distribution process in Gaza faces significant challenges ranging from logistical and regulatory constraints to weak coordination among active institutions, resulting in wasted resources and haphazard, sometimes inequitable, distribution. Moreover, the absence of modern technological systems for managing information and beneficiary data makes it difficult to accurately monitor needs, thereby contributing to favoritism and unjust distribution.

General Context:
The Gaza Strip has endured severe humanitarian and economic hardships as a result of a prolonged blockade imposed by Israel since 2007, effectively punishing over two million people and constituting a blatant violation of international humanitarian law—including Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This situation has made Gaza one of the most densely populated areas in the world as well as one of the most economically and socially fragile.

Reliance on humanitarian aid has long been a hallmark of life for Gaza’s residents, with families facing chronic shortages of clean water and recurring power outages. According to a report by the Portland Trust published in May 2023, electricity in the Strip was available only between eight and twelve hours per day—due to both the destruction of energy infrastructure and restrictions on fuel supplies—as well as deteriorating health and education services. In these conditions, job opportunities were extremely limited; the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reported a catastrophic unemployment rate of approximately 46% in the second quarter of 2023, especially among youth and women—reflecting ongoing violations of their economic and social rights as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The State of Humanitarian Aid in the Gaza Strip During the October 2023 War:
The humanitarian aid file within charitable institutions in Gaza is of special importance given the dire humanitarian conditions facing the population. According to reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 80% of the population heavily relies on humanitarian aid to meet their daily needs. Before the outbreak of war, the average daily flow of aid was between 500 and 600 trucks; however, with the onset of the conflict, this number dramatically dropped to 71 trucks per day, leading to an unprecedented deterioration in living conditions.

In the wake of the humanitarian catastrophe and the adoption of a “scorched earth” strategy, aid became the sole lifeline for Gaza, further straining the relief system which had become incapable of meeting basic needs in an equitable and effective manner. Humanitarian aid faced enormous challenges—including imposed restrictions, closed crossings, its use as a political bargaining tool, the breakdown of law and order, insecurity, and looting by highway bandits—which disrupted the entry of vital supplies and humanitarian teams. Additionally, the collapse of infrastructure and a shortage of fuel exacerbated the suffering of displaced people who were forced to rely entirely on relief amid widespread destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

These challenges directly affect the responsible institutions, whether governmental, charitable, or international, and can limit their ability to coordinate their efforts and respond effectively to ongoing crises.

Who Is Responsible for the Humanitarian Aid Issue??
It is important to note that the primary responsibility for distributing humanitarian aid lies with governmental bodies—such as the Ministry of Social Development in both Gaza and Ramallah—which have been in charge of organizing and distributing the assistance. In addition, international organizations such as UNRWA and the World Food Programme have played a pivotal role in providing humanitarian support.

The Limited Role of Charitable Institutions Before October 7:
Before the war, the role of charitable institutions in Gaza was extremely limited. They relied on narrowly defined coordination policies with the Palestinian government and international agencies to organize the distribution of humanitarian aid. These policies largely confined their role to that of aid recipients, as charitable institutions operated under the directives of the ministry and international organizations without playing an active or independent role in setting priorities or designing distribution strategies.

The Role of Charitable Institutions During the October 2023 War:
In the absence of comprehensive and integrated response plans by the Ministry of Social Development to cope with the catastrophe—and facing logistical and administrative constraints—the ministry’s role and ability to achieve equitable distribution became severely limited, negatively impacting the effectiveness of the relief provided.

At the same time, the role of charitable institutions expanded significantly as they were forced to assume greater responsibilities without being fully prepared. Some institutions quickly shifted their focus to emergency humanitarian responses in order to cope with the catastrophe by redirecting their programs toward emergency interventions, either through local partnerships or via donor agencies, even though they lacked updated standards and policies to handle the demands. Furthermore, the absence of prior experience in dealing with displaced communities or managing shelters further complicated the situation, rendering the aid distribution process vulnerable to inefficiencies and inequities.

The Role of Shelter Management Committees (Local Committees):
It is noteworthy that the entire community in Gaza has become displaced, resulting in a dramatic increase in humanitarian needs amid ongoing challenges and recurrent displacement. In this context, new entities such as shelter management committees have emerged—entities that did not exist prior to this catastrophe.

These committees play a fundamental role in managing shelters and coordinating the distribution of aid; however, they face significant challenges due to a lack of training and technical expertise required to manage these activities on a large scale. Therefore, providing continuous training and organizing these committees in a manner that integrates them with charitable institutions is of utmost importance to enhance community response. By adopting policies that support the role of these committees and training them to coordinate with various stakeholders, distribution outcomes can be improved and humanitarian needs met more effectively.

Policies for the Distribution of Humanitarian Aid in Charitable Institutions During Emergencies:
Institutional policies for distributing humanitarian aid are critical to ensuring an effective and equitable response to humanitarian needs. The “Guidelines for Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Aid” issued by the Integrity and Accountability Coalition (AMAN, 2020) emphasizes a set of guiding principles that must be observed during emergency humanitarian assistance. These include:

1. Adherence to Human Rights Principles: Ensuring that the dignity and safety of beneficiaries are respected during aid distribution.
2. Achieving Equity in Distribution: Implementing clear and transparent criteria that consider actual needs and local cultural contexts.
3. Preventing Discrimination and Favoritism: Avoiding preferential treatment based on political, sectarian, regional, or social affiliations.
4. Enhancing Transparency: Publicly disclosing the criteria for selecting beneficiaries and sharing aid information with the public.
5. Combating Corruption and Exploitation: Addressing all forms of corruption, while informing beneficiaries about the mechanisms available for complaints and accountability.

However, the existing policies for distributing humanitarian aid in charitable institutions have proven ineffective in meeting the needs of Gaza’s residents fairly and effectively. This failure is marked by the absence of an emergency policy for crisis management, insufficient resources, weak coordination among relief organizations, and an overall lack of transparency and accountability. This situation hampers the effectiveness of humanitarian aid distribution and limits the ability of charitable institutions to address the needs of affected populations—especially in the context of recurrent displacement.

In the following sections, each major problem in the humanitarian aid distribution policies during the October 2023 war is linked to its underlying cause, with practical proposals aimed at improving these policies to achieve justice and efficiency in humanitarian aid distribution:

1. Emergency Policy and Resource Storage
Charitable institutions in Gaza faced enormous challenges in mounting an effective response to the unprecedented catastrophe due to the absence of a comprehensive, clear emergency management policy. With the outbreak of war, the emergency response policies in use were insufficiently detailed to address the magnitude of the crisis, resulting in ad hoc and uncoordinated responses among charitable institutions that further worsened the catastrophic situation.

In the absence of a comprehensive policy, institutional responses were characterized by improvisation; there was no clear strategic plan to ensure that aid was distributed equitably and effectively among affected areas.

Furthermore, the lack of a policy for storing essential resources and emergency supplies was a key factor in the poor preparedness for the crisis. This gap led institutions to rely mainly on unplanned emergency aid. In such situations, pre-positioning resources is crucial to ensure a rapid and effective response—a capability that was not available under the current crisis.

The complex security and humanitarian conditions imposed by the war also significantly hindered the implementation of policies and procedures by charitable institutions. Continuous airstrikes and widespread infrastructure damage restricted access to affected areas, delaying the timely delivery of aid. Additionally, storage facilities for humanitarian aid were directly targeted, further complicating the situation and exacerbating institutional disarray.

According to Amjad Al-Shawa, Director of the Palestinian Charitable Organizations Network, nearly 95% of Gaza’s residents were displaced due to the escalation of Israeli aggression, reflecting the magnitude of the challenges faced by charitable institutions in delivering aid on time. This challenge underscores the necessity for a unified, well-planned response that coordinates various stakeholders to provide aid in an equitable and effective manner.

Despite these tremendous challenges, charitable institutions made significant efforts to cope with the humanitarian situation. For example, they distributed emergency aid (such as food, water, and medicine) swiftly and on a large scale once international aid arrived or coordination with humanitarian agencies was established. Nonetheless, implementation delays occurred due to difficulties in accessing affected areas because of security constraints and infrastructural destruction.

Due to the inadequate availability of pre-positioned resources, some charitable institutions resorted to direct cash transfer mechanisms to affected families. This approach allowed families faster and more flexible access to aid, mitigating the impact of the lack of stored resources. To compensate for the shortage of local resources, these institutions collaborated with United Nations organizations (such as the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization) and other international agencies. Such cooperation helped supply hospitals and affected areas with the necessary provisions.

Although these measures were taken, the absence of comprehensive policies remains a major barrier to an effective and organized response. According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the humanitarian situation in Gaza continued to deteriorate amid the ongoing escalation, as emergency responses frequently lacked coordination and sustainability—thus exacerbating the suffering of the population.

• Proposed Solution:

1. Develop an Integrated Emergency Response Plan: Establish a strategic crisis management plan that defines priorities and immediate needs based on the nature of the disaster, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and sets out standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for rapid response. Mandatory emergency planning for institutions will reinforce pre-disaster preparedness rather than relying on improvised responses.
2. Develop a Secure and Efficient Resource Storage System: Create a systematic framework for organizing the storage and distribution of emergency supplies through decentralized, protected storage facilities—such as small, secure depots in every residential area or local center, safeguarded against theft and located in places that are hard to target according to international civilian protection agreements. Effective management using technology to track and distribute resources when needed will help avoid shortages and duplication, ensure equitable planning based on reliable data, and enhance rapid response capabilities by making resources immediately accessible to affected populations.

2. Coordination Among Stakeholders
Weak coordination between charitable institutions and other stakeholders limits the efficiency of humanitarian aid distribution, leading to duplicated efforts during the October 2023 war in the Gaza Strip. This was highlighted in a report by USAID/BHA and the Humanitarian Results Team (2023), which noted that many families faced issues with aid distribution—some receiving multiple forms of aid simultaneously while others were completely left without support. This gap revealed weak coordination among relief actors, further exacerbating duplication and diminishing the overall effectiveness of the humanitarian response.

The absence of unified mechanisms or standardized coordination policies further hindered these efforts. For example, in some cases, coordination was constrained by the lack of effective means for gathering shared data or identifying the most in-need areas. Institutions operated in isolation, with some relying on their own internal systems for data registration and aid distribution, resulting in a lack of harmonization between these systems.

Particularly in light of infrastructure destruction and difficulties in accessing certain areas, the exchange of information was compromised—thus leading to repeated efforts and duplicated aid distribution.

The lack of a clear coordination policy meant that institutions relied on individual estimates for aid distribution, leading to discrepancies in reaching targeted groups. A unified coordination policy could have helped in setting priorities and directing aid to the areas that needed it most. Amid the war and security challenges, institutions faced significant logistical difficulties in reaching affected areas. Weak coordination between charitable institutions, governmental agencies, and international organizations further compounded these challenges, impacting the identification of priorities and the targeting of aid. Some charitable organizations attempted to improve internal coordination by establishing internal mechanisms—such as regular meetings organized by the Palestinian Charitable Organizations Network with international organizations and UN agencies—but the fundamental problem remained the absence of a unified national coordination policy. The lack of such a policy has significantly contributed to either duplicating efforts or overlooking some of the needy groups.

According to a study by the Integrity and Transparency Coalition (AMAN), the multiplicity of actors involved in providing humanitarian aid—most notably governmental agencies, charitable institutions, and individual initiatives—has weakened oversight due to the absence of a binding general policy to coordinate efforts fairly among institutions.

• Proposed Solution: Establish a Unified National Coordination Policy
This can be achieved by creating a centralized digital data platform shared among all humanitarian organizations for beneficiary registration and data updating, and by forming a national coordination committee with supervisory and oversight roles that includes representatives from charitable institutions, the government, and international organizations to review plans and avoid overlap in aid distribution. Forming alliances between charitable institutions to promote cooperation instead of competition for limited resources is also essential. Such partnerships will help in better resource distribution, sharing of expertise, and providing integrated services to target groups.

3. Transparency in Aid Distribution
Transparency is a fundamental pillar in any humanitarian aid distribution process. However, amid the October 2023 war in the Gaza Strip, charitable institutions struggled to provide accurate and transparent information to beneficiaries.

To ensure transparency, institutions must publish detailed reports on how aid is distributed, clearly stating the criteria used and the oversight mechanisms in place. In reality, the lack of such reporting hindered community oversight and eroded trust in the distribution process.

Wail Baalousha, Director of the AMAN Coalition Office in Gaza before the war, emphasized the need for full disclosure of information and for holding institutions providing humanitarian aid accountable to the highest standards of integrity. The absence of such a policy in Gaza led to weak transparency and widespread suspicions of corruption, directly impacting the credibility of humanitarian work.

Charitable institutions in Gaza found it challenging to implement a transparency policy in aid distribution, which opened the door to personal bias and favoritism. Ensuring transparency requires full disclosure of how aid is collected and distributed—including the criteria used and the mechanisms for community oversight. However, it turned out that this policy was not effectively implemented amid the catastrophe, with institutions justifying their noncompliance due to the unprecedented scale of the crisis and the lack of both internal and external oversight mechanisms. This resulted in a decline in trust between beneficiaries and donor organizations, directly affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of the relief operation.

One displaced person in the camps noted that some institutions responsible for aid distribution do not announce in advance the specific criteria for receiving aid, nor do they allow eligible beneficiaries to register their names. The witness added that many institutions distribute aid covertly or during late-night hours to avoid protests from the deprived groups.

• Proposed Solution: Develop a Policy for Disclosing Criteria and for Harmonizing Data and Regularly Reviewing Distribution Reports
This policy should be implemented through a unified electronic system for beneficiary and humanitarian aid data overseen by an independent body. Such a system would publicly announce the criteria for aid distribution, identify target groups, and outline registration procedures. It should contain detailed information on:

1. The list of criteria and conditions for beneficiaries.
2. The registration and application process for receiving aid.
3. Regular reports on the aid distributed and the beneficiary groups.
4. A mechanism for beneficiaries to submit complaints and feedback, with assurances of a fair investigation.
5. The publication of transparent reports on the volume of aid provided and how it is distributed.

In this context, the Middle Operations Manager at the Social Forum for Development, Naji Naji, noted that the implementation of an electronic system for managing beneficiary data improved the speed of registration and reduced errors in setting priorities and distributing aid. It also contributed to reducing corruption and manipulation by providing accurate and transparent data. He explained that the system allowed shelter management committees to be involved in both registration and supervision of aid distribution in a fair and efficient manner.

Similarly, Project Manager Walaa Karajah added that the goal of implementing the system was to ensure data accuracy and reduce human error by registering beneficiaries in a unified database that includes their details and needs. The system also provides periodic analytical reports to monitor the distribution process and ensure adherence to objective criteria such as poverty and disability. Despite initial challenges due to internet connectivity issues, these were partially overcome by improving the hardware. Officials are now looking to expand the system’s use in other areas and increase the number of beneficiaries in the future.

Based on this successful experience, it is recommended that these electronic solutions be integrated into the policies used by institutions to enhance transparency and achieve greater equity in aid distribution.

4. Equity in Aid Distribution
The principle of equity in aid distribution is based on the need to identify beneficiaries according to the level of their actual humanitarian needs, with a focus on the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Despite the utmost importance of this policy, the priorities during the October 2023 war were, in some cases, unclear and affected by local or political pressures. In some areas, the most vulnerable individuals did not receive appropriate support, leading to an imbalance in aid distribution and feelings of injustice among certain groups.

Wail Baalousha explained in a pre-war interview that one of the main issues citizens complained about was “nepotism, favoritism, and bias”—a result of each political faction tending to favor its own “clan” and each charitable institution also favoring its own “group,” with each sector providing aid to the party it supports, in a society where kinship plays a dominant role. After the war, as the humanitarian situation deteriorated, this issue became even more pronounced and impactful.

One displaced woman in the camps expressed her dissatisfaction with the aid distribution mechanisms, stating that they were unclear and lacked fairness. She confirmed that some families received multiple forms of aid due to their affiliation with a certain faction or because some family members worked in charitable organizations, while many needy families were deprived of assistance.

Fair distribution of humanitarian aid requires adherence to a set of guiding principles that institutions working in the relief field must follow to ensure equity and efficiency in meeting the needs of affected populations. These include:

1. Effective coordination among relief agencies through unified data systems to ensure efficient and fair distribution and to prevent duplication of aid.
2. Adoption of precise criteria to determine needs, ensuring that aid aligns with the cultural specifics and social reality of the target populations.
3. Prioritizing the most vulnerable groups—such as women, children, and persons with disabilities—to achieve a fair humanitarian response.
4. Providing comprehensive and transparent information to beneficiaries regarding the mechanisms and criteria for aid distribution, distribution locations, and schedules to ensure active participation.
5. Adherence to the principle that aid is provided free of charge as a human right, with clear communication to beneficiaries to avoid misunderstandings and build trust.
6. Adopting a strict policy to prevent and counteract sexual exploitation, fraud, and corruption, along with providing protected channels for reporting violations.
7. Selecting safe and easily accessible distribution sites that respect the privacy and dignity of beneficiaries and ensure the security of the materials.
8. Implementing distribution rapidly and efficiently to meet urgent needs and prevent worsening the suffering of displaced populations.

These issues were highlighted by the relief organizations operating amid the humanitarian catastrophe for several reasons previously mentioned, all of which undermined the fairness of the aid provided and exacerbated the humanitarian situation.

• Proposed Solution: Adopt a Needs-Based Distribution Policy
This can be achieved by using internationally accredited assessment tools—such as those from the Sphere Project—while integrating locally adapted tools to suit the Gaza context. Clear vulnerability criteria based on local data should be established, covering aspects such as healthcare, housing, and economic conditions. Priority should be given to vulnerable groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, the most affected families, large families, and female-headed households, ensuring that they have access to essential services.

5. Accountability and Oversight in Aid Distribution
Accountability and oversight are integral to any aid distribution process to ensure its integrity and transparency. These policies include monitoring activities through specialized local and international committees, as well as providing reliable channels for beneficiaries to submit complaints and reports. However, the multiplicity of actors in the relief field, the difficulty in accessing affected areas, and the refusal to disclose beneficiary lists, funding sources, and the volume of aid received amid the catastrophe have all contributed to weak oversight and a lack of accountability.

Ashraf Abu Mousa, Director General of the Financial and Administrative Oversight Office in Gaza before the war, noted that they had demanded from the concerned ministries—namely the Ministries of Social Affairs, Health, and Interior—that they play an active role in overseeing the institutions responsible for distributing humanitarian aid, particularly given the repetitive provision of aid to some individuals and the neglect of others. These demands became even more pressing amid the current war conditions, which further exacerbated the humanitarian situation, making oversight more necessary than ever to ensure that aid reaches the neediest.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Social Development, several instances of abuse in the management and distribution of aid destined for the Gaza Strip were observed, leading to a significant shortfall in the quantities of aid delivered. Moreover, the absence of clear mechanisms for monitoring performance and holding aid distributors accountable contributed to undermining the integrity of humanitarian operations and fostered a general sense of distrust in the responsible institutions.

In addition, the lack of effective tools and procedures for evaluating the impact of the aid provided has been a challenge for some charitable institutions, as efforts often focus solely on delivering supplies rather than measuring the achievement of the intended humanitarian objectives.

• Proposed Solution: Establish an Independent Community Oversight Mechanism That Includes:

1. Involving Shelter Management Committees in the Distribution Process:
   This involves including displaced individuals in shelters and transit centers in decision-making processes by appointing representatives from these committees to supervise aid distribution in cooperation with the institutions. The goal is to ensure that these committees reflect local community needs and that those most affected by the catastrophe have a voice in how aid and available resources are distributed. It also enables the displaced to monitor and evaluate the services they receive, thereby enhancing accountability in humanitarian work.
2. Creating an Internal and External Audit Unit for All Humanitarian Operations:
   This unit should be supported by field monitoring mechanisms and periodic reports. The oversight mechanism includes:
   • Internal Audit Unit: Monitors internal processes within the organization, including financial resources, aid distribution, and project effectiveness.
   • External Audit: Involves engaging independent bodies to assess operations and ensure integrity.
   • Field Monitoring Mechanisms: Consist of periodic visits to displacement sites to collect data from the displaced regarding the adequacy of the aid received.
   • Periodic Reports: Prepared to assess the effectiveness of operations and enhance accountability by providing benchmarks for the concerned institutions.
3. Capacity-Building Policy in Aid Distribution:
   The weak response of relief workers in Gaza reflects the absence of a sustainable capacity-building policy and the development of skills among field workers. One of the major challenges faced by charitable institutions during the war was the lack of training and human resources due to wartime conditions and work pressures. This shortfall significantly affected the ability of field teams to manage the large numbers of displaced individuals and the unprecedented work pressures. Despite the efforts made, there was insufficient training on fair and effective aid distribution methods, which impacted both the quality and procedures of the support provided.

The direct result of this lack of training and resources was a reduced effectiveness in the humanitarian response. This led to poor coordination among field teams, adversely affecting the equitable distribution of aid and causing delays or even duplication in some procedures. In some cases, there were misunderstandings of the laws and regulations related to humanitarian aid, further affecting the credibility of relief operations.

• Proposed Solution: Launch a Comprehensive Periodic Training Program for Relief Workers with the Formation of Pre-Trained Emergency Teams
This involves establishing a sustainable, regular training program for all relief workers focused on effective aid distribution techniques, crisis management, and the application of international humanitarian law. Additionally, specialized emergency teams should be pre-trained and ready to deploy in critical situations requiring immediate response.

The core components of the program should include:

1. Regular Training Courses: Covering aid distribution techniques, crisis management strategies, and applications of international humanitarian law.
2. Formation of Pre-Trained Emergency Teams: Specialized teams to handle emergency situations.
3. Crisis Simulation Exercises: Training based on real crisis scenarios to enhance the ability to manage pressure.
4. Continuous Evaluation: Regular assessments of team performance with feedback to improve efficiency.

In light of the discussion throughout this paper, it is concluded that the shortcomings in effective and equitable humanitarian aid distribution stem from several interrelated factors, including the absence of effective emergency response policies, the complexities of the wartime environment, the pressure of large-scale displacement, logistical, political, and technical challenges, and the destruction of infrastructure. This situation has made it extremely difficult to implement aid distribution policies that ensure both efficiency and fairness, resulting in weak coordination, field errors, lack of transparency, and the absence of effective accountability mechanisms. These structural challenges weaken the ability to achieve a just and effective humanitarian response. Therefore, it is recommended to improve these policies as outlined above—the optimal path toward enhancing the efficiency and fairness of humanitarian aid distribution.

Recommendations:

1. Develop a Unified Data System for Beneficiaries and Humanitarian Aid to Enhance Transparency and Fairness in Resource Distribution.
2. Establish a Unified National Coordination Policy among all entities involved in providing aid.
3. Develop a New System for Secure and Efficient Resource Storage to Ensure Rapid Access during Emergencies.
4. Formulate an Integrated Emergency Response Plan among the humanitarian institutions operating in the Gaza Strip.
5. Adopt a Needs-Based Distribution Policy to ensure precise allocation of aid to those affected.
6. Establish an Independent Community Oversight Mechanism to monitor aid distribution and ensure it is free from corruption.
7. Launch a Comprehensive Periodic Training Program for Relief Workers, along with the formation of pre-trained emergency teams to manage crisis situations.
8. Enact and implement a Disaster Risk Management Law in the State of Palestine (2016).

In conclusion, adopting these alternative policies and necessary innovations to improve the efficiency and fairness of humanitarian aid distribution in the Gaza Strip is not merely an option but an imperative. The current phase requires a radical transformation that enhances justice and embodies transparency in every aspect of humanitarian work. By implementing these reforms, we can build a more effective humanitarian system that guarantees the rights of the displaced, restores hope for the future, strengthens community trust in humanitarian institutions, and ensures their sustainability and success in facing future challenges.