Near East Council of Churches /DSPR-Gaza

NECCCRW-the Gaza Area Committee is part of the Department of Service to the Palestine Refugees (DSPR). The DSPR is a department of the Middle East Council of Churches. NECCCRW Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian Society and culture and operates with support from the churches, ecumenical and secular organizations. The committee is formed of 12 committed and dedicated members of both genders who are appointed by the heads of the churches; of the respective families forming the four family members of MECC on equal church representation. NECCCRW Gaza Committee was founded in 1952 launching a humanitarian program to assist Palestinians who took refuge in Gaza Strip following Israel's establishment in 1948. NECCCRW has focused then on the provision of humanitarian aid and contributing to an overall improvement in living conditions and to poverty alleviation. Its work has rested on respecting the humanity and dignity of those whom it helps and on adherence to clear transparency and accountability standards. NECC supports the Palestinian people through six key areas: Health  (Maternal and Child Primary Health Care), Technical Vocational Education and training  (Empowering Youth Economic Status), Educational Loans for university students, Psychosocial Support for children, mothers, and students to cope with the negative impact of Gaza Violence, Emergency Relief projects including cash Relief and Job Creation initiatives, Advocacy policies and activities shared with the community, and community Development program.

NECCCRW Vision:

A Palestinian Society where people receive adequate health and educational services and enjoy better quality of life.

NECCCRW Mission:

NECCCRW is a Palestinian ecumenical church-related organization aims at strengthening and empowerment of the Palestinian community in the Gaza Strip by providing educational and health services and contingency assistance regardless of faith, color, gender, political affiliation or geographical locality.

Work sectors of NECC in Gaza Strip:

NECC Programs are supported through 91 technical staff (51% females, and 49% males) including:-

Access to Quality Health Care:

NECC has been operating health services in the Gaza strip since 1952 and currently runs three primary health care clinics in Shijaia, Darraj and Kherbet al Adas neighborhoods supporting a population of more than 160,000 people. Necc clinics have a primary focus on child and maternal health care (ante and post-natal care, well-baby clinics as well as providing general practitioner services, laboratory testing, pharmacy and dental services and psychosocial care.

Livelihood and Trade:

NECC offers vocational courses to approximately 205 trainees of both genders who have successfully completed the preparatory cycle (i.e. 8th grade).The 3- year course leads to a MOL licensed diploma (in vocational skills  such as metal and aluminum work, carpentry, and  furniture painting to school dropout boys aged 14-16 years old. The NECC also has a 2 year course in Qararah, khanyounis, offering training in general electrical skills and motor and transformer rewinding to young men between16 and 23 years old. The NECC provides   11 month courses in vocational skills   for women, mainly in secretarial studies and English Language (including office management and computer skills) to females who successfully finished high secondary school, and dress making to women has at least the knowledge to read and write.

Educational Loans:

Loans give opportunities addresses needy students to complete their university education by providing interest-free loans to students to pay university fees that can be renewed every academic year. 

Emergency Relief:

NECC launched its welfare and Relief program since 1952, to provide assistance to needy people. The program aims at providing emergency assistance to alleviate the impact of emergency situations when required. It helps targeted Palestinians to attain cash for work “temporary jobs”, cash relief for one time to secure food, medicine, daily needs, health and PSS.

Advocacy Program:

This program is concerned with promoting social justice, empowering communities and advocating the rights of civilians particularly refugees to live in dignity,  respecting human rights, ensuring access to health and education services and so on.  NECC works at two fronts; internally promoting an empowerment culture and externally advocating the rights of the Palestinians at the internal forums. 

Community Development Program:

NECC enables communities to implement projects aimed at improving the conditions of their environment.  It assists other NGOs in implementing projects through the support for providing facilities and supplies towards the implementation of minor infrastructural projects.  It also promotes youth activities, schools and kindergartens through the provision of products manufactured by VTC trainees and graduates.

Self-Help Program:

The Sewing Cooperative: Graduates of the Dressmaking Center jointly operate a self-supporting, income generating cooperative producing anything from children's clothes to wedding gowns.

The Self-Help Sewing Center: Women, mostly widowed and often the sole income generators of their families, work for NECCCRW sewing pieces for internal use (uniforms, curtains …etc) and external distribution.

Psychosocial support:

NECC’s psychosocial program started after 2008 Cast Lead Operation war on Gaza, it targets the whole family, especially women, mothers and their children. The program focused on the Palestinian families through the health centers, vocational centers, secretarial center, advance dress making center, NECC staff and cooperation and coordination with relevant organizations.