GLOBAL MHPSS MEETING NOV GAZA UPDATE: ADVOCACY ON IASC MHPSS GUIDELINES BY: JASEM HUMEID

SESSION OBJECTIVE To provide an update regarding IASC MHPSS advocacy activities in the Gaza Strip To present challenges and problems regarding IASC MHPSS advocacy in the Gaza Strip To present suggested future activities regarding IASC MHPSS advocacy activities in the Gaza Strip

SESSION CONTENT 1. Background: -Presenter: Academic background and work experience, Contribution to MHPSS Work - Mercy Corps: General, PSS programing -MHPSS Cluster in Gaza: Structure, Lead agencies, Main Activities, etc. -Regional IASC MHPSS Training in Amman (April 2010) 2. Update regarding IASC MHPSS advocacy activities in the Gaza Strip (MC, MHPSS Cluster, Others: ACT, WV, Tdh Lausanne) 3. Challenges and problems regarding IASC MHPSS advocacy in the Gaza Strip 4. Suggested future activities regarding IASC MHPSS advocacy activities in the Gaza Strip

BACKGROUND Presenter (Jasem Humeid) Academic: RN., BSN, MSc. CHHM (Heidelberg/ Germany), Doctoral Fellow (Health and social sciences: Life Situation of the Elderly in the Gaza Strip): UMIT/ Austria. Work: Academic teaching and clinical instruction (university level), Adult training (Health, MHPSS, Management, Development if Curricula and Protocols, etc.), Research (Health, Nutrition, etc.), Management (Manager/ Director, Health, MHPSS, etc.), Health Service Provision (nursing care various settings and hospital departments). MHPSS: Establishment of MC PSS program in OPT (in July 2008), managing it since then. Active member of MHPSS cluster group MHPSS regional and national Advocate (one of only two in Gaza)

BACKGROUND Mercy Corps INGO active in more than 30 countries worldwide Active in Palestine for more than 6 years Emergency Relief and Development programs MHPSS programs in various countries (WBG, Libya, Haiti, etc.) Unique MHPSS programs and methodologies (CfK materials, etc.) Signed off IASC MHPSS guidelines MHPSS Cluster Co-lead by WHO & UNICEF Main task: coordination Sincere efforts towards application of IASC MHPSS guidelines

IASC MHPSS ADVOCACY: UPDATE IASC MHPSS Advocacy Training: INGOs, Public entities, NGOs, UN bodies. Amman in April day training 2 from the Gaza Strip, several from WB

IASC MHPSS ADVOCACY: UPDATE Mercy Corps: Orientation Sessions targeting managers of MC different programs. Training workshops targeting MC PSS team members and team members of MC’s partner CBOs. Modification of job descriptions and selection criteria (incorporating knowledge regarding IASC MHPSS guidelines).

IASC MHPSS ADVOCACY: UPDATE MHPSS Cluster: Orientation Sessions targeting MHPSS members in Gaza Training workshops targeting MHPSS members in Gaza Input regarding Coordination of MHPSS programs Input regarding Evaluation of MHPSS programs Input regarding mapping of MHPSS services Input regarding training in MHPSS field

IASC MHPSS ADVOCACY: UPDATE World Vision: Training of CBO teams Provision of guidance and advice regarding MHPSS evaluation and programming ACT Alliance: Training of key MHPSS staff

IASC MHPSS ADVOCACY: SUMMARY Orientation (short sessions: 15 minutes – 2 hours): Total: rep. of MHPSS cluster member orgs. 21 MC team members. Training (1 – 2 days) : Total: MC PSS team members (9) & PSS teams of MC local partner CBOs (24) 60 MHPSS officers & key staff members (39 MHPSS cluster members & 21 ACT Alliance members) 34 Community Committee members (WV partner CBOs)

TRAINING ON MHPSS GUIDELINES Target: MHPSS staff, Others (other lusters, Community Committee Members, etc.) Content and Length: MHPSS staff: (Effects of Emergencies, Core Principles, Multilayered MHPSS Interventions, PFA, Matrix of Interventions, Mapping of MHPSS Interventions, Selected Action sheets, Coordination (2 – 3 days). TOT: Training Methodologies added to the above (3 – 5 days) Others (other lusters, Community Committee Members, etc.): (Effects of Emergencies, Core Principles, Multilayered MHPSS Interventions, PFA, Matrix of Interventions, Mapping of MHPSS Interventions, Selected Action sheets, Coordination (1 – 2 days).

TRAINING ON MHPSS GUIDELINES Training Methodologies: Adult Learning Methods Evaluation of Training: Knowledge Tests Skill Checklists

TRAINING METHODS: DISCUSSION IN PLENARY

TRAINING METHODS: MINI-LECTURES

TRAINING METHODS: GROUP WORK

TRAINING METHODS: ROLE PLAY

CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS Advocate Team in Gaza is composed of only two members; this puts extra burden on the two Advocates in Gaza. Lack of feedback by MHPSS cluster group members regarding the “national advocates” plan of actions. Failure to hold at least one national Advocate meeting since April’s training might have resulted in delays implementing the “national advocates” plan of actions. Lack of organizational commitment of some INGOs and/ or major NGOs regarding supporting the adoption of IASC MHPSS guidelines.

CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS Non-finalization of the Mapping exercise despite the fact that Tdh Switzerland worked on it for about one year. Non participation of certain bodies in Gaza such as the government (MoH, MoSA,etc.) in relevant MHPSS cluster activities.

FUTURE PLANS TOT (MHPSS cluster and/or other organizations interested) Additional Trainings: MC and/or other organizations interested) Continue to play an active role regarding Coordination & Evaluation Provide Support to TdH Lausanne in its’ mapping task as needed Others as needed and/or other organizations interested)

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!! ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK!!!! I REALLY HAVE ENJOYED IT SO FAR………………., AND I AM QUITE SURE I WILL ENJOY THE NEXT SESSIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! JASEM HUMEID