AMAN recommends the establishment of a unified data exchange system and the development of effective mechanisms for submitting complaints that enhance accountability
The Coalition discusses the reality of data flow from international bodies to civil society organizations in Gaza
Gaza - In light of the ongoing brutal genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and the unparalleled deterioration the famine and humanitarian conditions perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces, the Coalition for Integrity and Accountability (AMAN) held a discussion session via Zoom on the draft report titled, "Data Flow from International Bodies Working in the Field of Humanitarian Aid to Civil Society Organizations in the Gaza Strip and the Reality of Accountability," which aims to analyze the pathways of the flow of data from international entities to civil society organizations, assess the strengths and weaknesses of these pathways, and their impact on the ability of civil society to implement accountability.
Wael Ba'lousheh: Civil society is the reflection of citizens and should be included, not excluded
Wael Ba’alousheh, Director of the AMAN Office in Gaza, opened the session by describing the general context of what the Gaza Strip has been experiencing since October 7, and the reality of the genocide that has created a complex situation, disrupting the work of all institutions, both official and unofficial. Ba’alousheh went on saying that civil society quickly reorganized itself and played a pivotal role in exposing violations, providing relief, health, and psychological support, and even offering schooling alternatives, in light of the collapse of the official educational system. Ba’alousheh also expressed concern over what he described as the "ambiguity" surrounding the flow of data from international bodies to civil society organizations, particularly in the humanitarian aid state of affairs, which weakens accountability and undermines people’s trust in their institutions. He called for the involvement of civil society in all stages of planning, implementation, and evaluation everything related to aid.
Weak data transparency, and recommendations for constructing clear pathways to accountability
The report's author, researcher Hisham Al-Kahlout, reviewed the key findings and recommendations of the report, the most important of which are the absence of clear and approved pathways for data flow, and the presence of multiple intertwined restrictions that hinder the transfer of information from international bodies to civil society organizations. These flaws weaken the effectiveness of oversight and accountability. The report also highlighted the low level of transparency, feeble accountability practices, and ineffective complaint mechanisms, which have had a negative impact on the efficiency of the provided aid and undermined trust among the concerned parties.
The report also emphasizes that it is crucial to develop an effective and transparent system for data flow and accountability in Gaza, by creating a coordinated working framework among civil society organizations active in the field in Gaza, and opening a dialogue with international institutions to scrutinize the efficiency of information flow and provide periodic reports for public dissemination.
Urgent action to redefine the relationship with international actors
Awareness Raising Coordinator at AMAN Office/Gaza, Mahmoud Abdel Hadi, said that the Palestinian civil society still deals with international entities with a pre-war mentality, despite the changed reality and expanded responsibilities. International entities must now be held accountable like any service provider, especially since they provide direct relief services and manage support systems alternative to ministries.
Abdul Hadi pointed out three main challenges, the first of which is the flow of data that is contrary to what is required, as local institutions transfer data to international entities without receiving, in return, any information that enables them to exercise oversight. Secondly, most of the workforce in Gaza is not trained in the mechanisms for holding international institutions accountable. The third challenge lies in the fact that many local institutions themselves are unaware of the legal and rights-based tools that enable them to hold international entities accountable. Abdul Hadi, for his part, called for the necessity of "localizing accountability tools" and spreading their culture within civil society, urging immediate action to redefine the relationship with international actors after they have become "duty bearers," not just donors.
A unified system for data exchange and the development of effective mechanisms for submitting complaints
In light of the challenges facing data flow and accountability in the Gaza Strip, the report recommended the real need for enhancing coordination between international bodies, civil society organizations, and local government bodies, by establishing a joint coordination platforms, developing a unified data exchange system, and precisely delineating roles and responsibilities to avoid conflicting work. It also emphasized the importance of simplifying administrative procedures, reviewing political and logistical constraints that hinder information exchange, and reinforcing transparency by publishing periodic reports on aid distribution procedures and utilization of resources.
In the same context, the recommendations called for launching a broad national dialogue to discuss data flow policies in line with local realities, and developing effective mechanisms for submitting complaints to ensure the right of beneficiaries for follow-up and accountability. The report also recommended reconsidering international spending priorities to ensure a balance between direct relief and capacity building, to be achieved with continuous training programs that enhance the efficiency of civil society organizations in monitoring and evaluation. It also called for transparent initiatives that build trust between local and international partners through regular meetings and sharing experiences.
Critical Interventions: Accountability Begins with Clarity of Concepts and Strengthening Integration Between Local and International
Participations by attendees were numerous, with the most notable being those made by Jamil Sarhan, the director of the Independent Commission for Human Rights. He emphasized that although the information is somewhere out there, the difficulty in accessing it, as well as the lack of adequate translation, or transparent platforms, render its publication superficial and obscures the real absence of transparency.
Sarhan called for holding international institutions accountable based on their performance, not just their "good intentions," considering that the current situation is closer to “a monopoly on information and imposing guardianship,” where many international entities operate without any real coordination with local institutions, and sometimes even refuse to hold meetings with them to clarify what they do.
For his part, Dr. Mamoun Bseiso, UN advisor for reconstruction in the Middle East, called for a distinction between data and information, emphasizing that the abundance of digital data does not necessarily mean the information is usable, or can be used to hold those who monopolize it accountable. He added that data related to aid have sometimes been used as control tools rather than as means of support, in the absence of protection tools for beneficiaries or clear transparency standards.
As for Amal Syam, director of the Women's Affairs Center, she raised the issue of relying on international reports at the expense of local products, pointing out that the international community does not recognize local civil society reports unless they are accompanied by references from the United Nations, which creates a relationship of dependency that hinders the development of an independent Palestinian discourse in humanitarian and rights efforts.
In the same context, Bakr Turkmani, the Complaints Unit Coordinator at the Independent Commission for Human Rights/Gaza Office, pointed to the importance of distinguishing between various international institutions or entities, their nature, and their work. He called for the preparation of specific memos directed to each international entity based on their specific issues, emphasizing that the lack of response to interview requests or inquiries from these entities should be documented as an indicator of transparency failure.
Towards a partnership based on rights, not charity
Participants agreed that Palestinian civil society needed to redefine its relationship with international entities, not with confrontation, but with an approach to genuine partnership and mutual accountability, affirming that aid is not a favor, and information is not a privilege, but both are rights guaranteed by international laws and human ethics.
