Following a Study on Integrity and Transparency of International Relief Organizations in the Gaza Strip During the Ongoing Genocide,
AMAN Coalition Recommends Establishing an Integrity and Transparency Index for their Work in Emergencies
Gaza – The Coalition for Integrity and Accountability (AMAN) held a virtual discussion session via Zoom to present and debate a research study titled "Values of Integrity, Principles of Transparency, and Accountability Systems in the Work of International Relief Organizations in the Gaza Strip During the Genocide War." The session was attended by representatives of international relief organizations, along with several civil society representatives and humanitarian workers.
Opening the session, Wa’el Baalousha, Director of the AMAN Office in Gaza, explained that the primary goal of the study is to help foster an environment of integrity, transparency, and accountability within the work of international relief organizations operating in the Gaza Strip during the genocide. The study seeks to shed light on the current state of integrity, transparency, and accountability in their operations, identify new challenges arising from the catastrophic humanitarian situation, and draw conclusions that offer a set of practical, procedural recommendations. These recommendations aim to improve the ability of international organizations to meet the requirements of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of relief assistance during the ongoing genocide.
The study was presented by researcher Abdul Moneim Al-Tahrawi, who highlighted several key gaps. These included weak provision of information to affected citizens, such as the absence of clear criteria for selecting beneficiaries, and the lack of accessible mechanisms for submitting complaints or reporting corruption, including gender-based corruption. The study also pointed to a lack of community accountability toward local partners and noted that many international standards are poorly aligned with the local context in Gaza.
The study recommended developing an integrity, transparency, and accountability index for the work of international organizations involved in humanitarian aid across the Palestinian territories. The goal of this index would be to monitor the extent to which these organizations comply with integrity standards, ensure that beneficiaries and civil society receive clear and transparent information about their activities, and mitigate risks stemming from weak integrity and transparency in their operations. The study stressed that the index should be grounded in relevant UN and international guidelines, while also being adapted to the local context, drawing on resources such as the Anti-Corruption in Humanitarian Aid Guide developed by the AMAN Coalition and the Ministry of Social Development.
The study also stressed the need to implement programs that build the capacities of staff and volunteers in these organizations and their partner institutions, with a focus on promoting the values of integrity and transparency in their work. It called for the adoption of policies and measures to strengthen the integrity of commercial partners and local service providers, including codes of conduct, conflict of interest disclosure policies, and regulations governing the acceptance of gifts, among other steps aimed at fostering an environment of integrity within organizational operations.
Additionally, the study recommended adopting a comprehensive concept of integrity that includes localizing and harmonizing international sources and studies on integrity and transparency to make them more accessible and practical in the local context. It also urged the integration of human values into all humanitarian operations and the creation of a sector-specific working group on integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption within the UN structure in Palestine.
Comments and Recommendations
Saji Obeid, a capacity-building consultant, stressed the need for cooperation among all official, community, and non-governmental actors to promote the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability, thereby ensuring that services are delivered to citizens in a fair and transparent manner.
Obeid further emphasized that the role of the Palestinian National Authority, particularly in Ramallah, should be more effective in this regard by utilizing and activating its available legal powers. He noted that the joint emergency room for the ministries, which is intended to coordinate efforts with international institutions and establish clear work protocols, has so far had little tangible impact on organizing the work of local and international organizations.
Obeid added that strengthening the role of the joint emergency room requires a set of measures aimed at preventing potential violations and reinforcing adherence to transparency and integrity. He stressed that developing vigorous concepts of accountability and transparency has become an urgent necessity in light of the current exceptional circumstances, particularly given that many international standards do not fully reflect the realities experienced by Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Khaled Rajab, representing the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), noted that organizations like ANERA have at times been forced to rapidly scale up their operations in response to urgent humanitarian needs. While necessary, this rapid expansion has created challenges that sometimes exceed the organizations’ capacities and may, on occasion, result in insufficient attention to transparency and institutional governance standards.
Rajab noted that several issues require well-defined systems and guidelines and welcomed the opportunity for collaboration between AMAN, ANERA, and other institutions to address and overcome past mistakes or shortcomings, whether caused by human error or circumstances beyond their control. He underscored that adherence to standards is just as crucial during emergencies and disasters as it is in normal circumstances, calling for the development of humanitarian strategies that are aligned with the real priorities and needs of affected populations.
Jamil Sarhan, Director of the Independent Commission for Human Rights, stressed that access to and response from some international institutions has become increasingly difficult. He emphasized the importance of producing clear and actionable recommendations that would improve overall performance and strengthen the role of national institutions in addressing humanitarian needs, reducing reliance on external actors.
Researcher Abdul Moneim Al-Tahrawi emphasized the importance of localizing indicators that reflect the principles of integrity and transparency. He noted that many humanitarian organizations prioritize the speed of response, sometimes at the expense of core values and standards, even though adherence to these principles remains essential to ensure fair and equitable access to services for citizens.
Al-Tahrawi further stressed that implementing compliance policies in the field is critical, particularly given the current challenging and complex humanitarian environment. He explained that international institutions remain the primary providers of relief services in Gaza, but some initially began operations without direct authorization from the Palestinian National Authority. Recently, several of these organizations have started to formalize their legal status, providing temporary services while completing official licensing procedures, noting that many have been operating on the ground since February 2024.
Azmi Al-Shuaibi, advisor to the Board of Directors of the AMAN Coalition for Anti-Corruption Affairs, confirmed that the challenges faced by Palestinian society under the current state of emergency differ from any ordinary circumstance, especially with the accompanying crime of genocide and the subsequent crime of starvation and forced displacement, which has not left enough time to fully rebuild capacities and empower researchers and workers.
Al-Shuaibi explained that a guide prepared by the AMAN Coalition in collaboration with Transparency International on aid distribution mechanisms in conflict zones was designed with the assumption of a central authority and rule of law, even if minimal. However, this does not reflect the current reality in Gaza, where central authority and sovereignty are absent, and the community faces overwhelming needs that far exceed available resources.
He noted that the lack of a central authority necessitates new operational mechanisms to fill the void, empowering local institutions, civil society, and community volunteers, who are best positioned to prioritize and deliver services to the most vulnerable. Al-Shuaibi emphasized that strengthening societal values and behaviors is essential for building a comprehensive integrity system, and he underscored the importance of using the guide developed with Transparency International as a reference for managing public affairs amid the collapse of central institutions.
Al-Shuaibi also stressed that the Palestinian National Authority should draw lessons from Gaza’s experience to prepare communities in the West Bank to face escalating occupation measures. He recommended shifting the focal point of authority from ministerial bodies to decentralized work sites, ensuring the continuity and sustainability of services even in the face of occupation attempts to paralyze central institutions through annexation policies and the rapid closure of cities and villages.
