Factors Affecting Humanitarian Resilience: A Mediating Approach of Community Engagement

Gempolsari Village, Sidoarjo (East Java, Indonesia) is one area that is always flooded annually; thus, people in the region have a high level of resilience. The level of resilience is fundamental for victims to be able to live normally as before the disaster came, which is influenced by several factors, one of which is a protective factor. This study aims to determine the relationship between protective factors and community resilience in dealing the flood disaster. This research was conducted in Gempolsari Village, Sidoarjo (East Java, Indonesia). This study used quantitative descriptive as the research design with cross sectional approach. This study used Probability Sampling as sampling technique in the form of Sampling Fraction Per Cluster. The sample used was 91 respondents. This study used two variables: protective factors as independent variables and community resilience to face flood as the dependent variable. The data collection process was carried out using a questionnaire, then data was analyzed using the Spearman Rho test(α≤ 0,05). The results showed that a significant relationship (p= 0.05) between protective factors and the level of community resilience in dealing with flood was found, where the protective factor that has the strongest relationship was impulse control (r= 0.527). A high protective factor could increase the level of community resilience to face flood disasters, because the level of resilience was influenced by the level of protective factors owned by the community.

Indonesia is currently facing a new wave of COVID-19 transmission with the number of transmissions rising significantly. The community compliance factor is one of the important things in the spread of the Covid-19 rate. There needs to be intensive warning efforts, including campaigns through social media. This study aims to determine the effect of social media on the level of resilience in rural communities during the covid-19 pandemic. The research sample purposively amounted to 213 people from two research locations, namely Sambong Dukuh Village, Jombang Regency and Wonocoyo Village, Trenggalek Regency, Indonesia. The results showed that the p value = 0.001 < 0.05, which means that social media has a significant effect on the level of community resilience in dealing with the covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, based on the R2 value, the result is 0.421, which means that social media has an influence on the community's resilience level of 42.1%, and the rest are other influences not examined in this study. Based on the results of the t test, it was found that the p value = 0.467 > 0.05, so it can be said that there is no significant difference between the level of resilience in the community in the two villages, even though the average value of Wonocoyo village is 77,393 better than Sambong Dukuh village of 77.00 , but the difference was not statistically significant. The researcher recommends the importance of further research on resilience based on regional characteristics.

Elderly People Coping With the Aftermath of War: Resilience Versus Vulnerability

Arabic Abstract: ملخص الدراسة باللغة العربية هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على أثر إدارة تصميم العمليات على اتخاذ القرارات من خلال التفكير التصميمي في المنظمات الأهلية المحلية في قطاع غزة. ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة واختبار فرضياتها، تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، والاعتماد على الاستبانة كأداة رئيسة لجمع البيانات، وتكون مجتمع الدراسة من متخذي القرار في المنظمات الأهلية المحلية في قطاع غزة، حيث بلغ مجتمع الدراسة 78 منظمة أهلية محلية فاعلة في قطاع غزة، واختارت الباحثة أسلوب الحصر الشامل لمجتمع الدراسة الممكن، وتم الاعتماد بشكل رئيس على استخدام الحزمة الإحصائية للعلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS)في معالجة وتحليل البيانات التي تم الحصول عليها من خلال أداة الدراسة (الاستبانة)،كما تم استخدام برنامج (Smart-PLS) لبناء نموذج المعادلة الهيكلية (SEM) لتحليل العلاقة بين متغيرات الدراسة، وحساب التأثيرات المباشرة وغير المباشرة للمتغير المستقل على المتغير التابع من خلال المتغير الوسيط. وتوصلت الدراسة إلى مجموعة نتائج، أهمها: عدم وجود علاقة مباشرة بين إدارة تصميم العمليات واتخاذ القرارات، وعليه كشفت الدراسة أن التفكير التصميمي يتوسط العلاقة بين إدارة تصميم العمليات واتخاذ القرارات بتأثير كلي، وأظهرت الدراسة اهتمام المنظمات الأهلية المحلية بخلق صورة ذهنية جيدة لديها في المجتمع المحلي، وامتلاك المنظمات الأهلية المحلية للخبرات والكفاءات الفنية اللازمة لتنفيذ المشاريع، كما أظهرت اعتماد المنظمات الأهلية المحلية في أنشطتها على تلبية حاجات المستفيدين ورغباتهم، وأن المنظمات الأهلية المحلية تحلل المشكلة، وأسبابها، وتشخصها من خلال المعطيات ذات الصلة بالقرار، وتستند في ذلك إلى بيانات مرجعية لاتخاذ قراراتها. ومن أهم التوصيات التي توصلت إليها الدراسة هي: ضرورة اهتمام الإدارة العليا بالمنظمات الأهلية المحلية في قطاع غزة؛ وتشجيع المدراء والعاملين على الاهتمام بتطوير مجال إدارة تصميم العمليات في مشاريعهم، وتعزيز بيئة الإبداع، وإضافة ميزة تنافسية للمنظمة، وكذلك أوصت الدراسة إلى تبني الإدارة العليا في المنظمات الأهلية المحلية في قطاع غزة منهجية التفكير التصميمي؛ لما لها من أثر في استدامة المشاريع، وتصميم دراسة الجدوى الفنية، وتلبية رغبات المستفيدين، واستمرار تطوير المنظمات الأهلية المحلية في قطاع غزة كفاءاتها؛ من أجل اتخاذ قرارات سليمة وصائبة، وتشجيعهم على اتباع المنهجيات العلمية في آلية اتخاذ القرارات. English Abstract: The study aimed to identify the impact of the design management processes (DMP) on decision making (DM) through the design thinking (DT): an empirical study on local nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in the Gaza Strip. To achieve the study’s objectives and test its hypotheses, the analytical descriptive method was used where a questionnaire as a principal tool used to collate data. The population study consists of decision makers in the local NGOs in Gaza Strip. The population of the study was 78 local NGOs active in the Gaza Strip. The researcher chose the complete population for the study, which contain of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analysis data. In addition, the (Smart-PLS) program was used to build the structural equation modeling (SEM) and analyse the relationship between the variables of the study and to calculate the direct and indirect effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable through the mediate variable. The study reached a number of results: There is no direct relationship between the design management processes and decision-making. Also, the study revealed that design thinking mediates the relationship between the design management processes and decision-making with total effect. Thus, the study showed the interest of local NGOs in creating a well mental image in the local community. Also the local NGOs have the expertise and technical skills required to implement its projects. The local NGOs demonstrated the dependence of their activities to meet the needs and desires of the beneficiaries, also the local NGOs analyses the problem and its causes by the data relevant to the decision, based on reference data for decision-making. The most important recommendations of the study are: The senior management of local NGOs in the Gaza Strip should encourage their managers and employees to take care of the development of the field of design management processes in their projects; this will therefore enable the enhancement of the innovative environment and add a competitive advantage to the organization. The senior management of the local NGOs in the Gaza Strip should adopt the design thinking methodology because of its impact on the sustainability of the local projects, design the technical feasibility and meet the desires of the beneficiaries, Local NGOs in the Gaza Strip should continue to develop their competencies in order to make sound decisions and encourage them to follow scientific methodologies in the decision-making mechanism.

Prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip has created a humanitarian emergency that disproportionately affects children, who are among the most vulnerable to violence, displacement, and deprivation of fundamental rights. In response to these challenges, this study aims to analyze the role of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in humanitarian diplomacy, particularly regarding protecting and fulfilling children’s rights amid the Palestinian crisis. Using a qualitative descriptive method, data were collected through literature reviews and official documentation to explore how UNICEF integrates human security principles into its diplomatic and operational strategies. The findings show that UNICEF not only acts as a humanitarian aid provider but also serves as an active diplomatic actor advocating for child protection through negotiation and collaboration with both state and non-state actors. The study concludes that UNICEF's dual role—operational and diplomatic—is crucial in promoting a safer and more dignified life for children in Gaza. The implications of this research underline the need for international support and policy reinforcement to enhance UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts. These insights are valuable for academics, policymakers, and practitioners involved in international humanitarian work, especially in conflict-affected regions.

Changes in out-of-pocket payments and health-seeking behaviours in the Gaza Strip

Increased levels of resilience will reduce the negative consequences of any disaster and develop the capacities of communities to mitigate future disasters. The main objective of this study was to measure the level of resilience of two different communities in two different study areas and compare the resilience levels in terms of a flood. The study used the Analysis of Resilience of Communities to Disasters (ARC-D) toolkit. The study was conducted in two different areas to compare the level of community resilience. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the study. A structured questionnaire was developed by using the toolkit. Results of the study indicated that communities in study area 1 were more resilient than communities in study area 2. Communities from study area 1 were more aware of their risk(s) and problem(s) and ensured proper strategies and actions to solve problems. On the other hand, communities in study area 2 were less aware of their risk(s). The strategies and actions implemented by the communities of study area 1 focused on the short-term problem(s), which reduced their level of resilience. Measuring resilience is very important in terms of developing disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans and incorporating DRR in the development process in lower-income countries and developing countries. As data scarcity is one of the major issues in developing countries, introducing a community resilience assessment mechanism can be a great help to reduce gaps in the planning and implementation process.

Aid shortfall causes agencies to rethink approach in Gaza

Palestinians are facing the epidemic while they are the only occupied country globally, with around 2 million inhabitants under siege in the Gaza Strip (GS) for the last 14 years and have no control over the health of the Palestinians in East-Jerusalem (EJ). Such catastrophic situations created a variety in the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in different territories. This study aimed to explore variation in COVID-19 spread, risk factors, and intervention activities in the three Palestinian territories: West Bank (WB), EJ, and GS to learn from the current gaps to overcome this pandemic and be prepared for future emergencies. Epidemiological data regarding COVID-19 were obtained from online websites, Palestinian national reports, WHO reports, and scientific publications. Morbidity and mortality indicators in Palestine are higher than the global level with rate variation in the three territories. COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates are higher in EJ and lowest in GS, while case fatalities are around 1% all over the country. Social gathering and lack of readiness of the fragmented health systems (there are two systems; Palestinian serves the WB and GS and Israeli serves the EJ) are risk factors in the three Palestinian territories. The most prominent risk in GS is overcrowding, while the movement of the workers inside Israel and travel are more prevalent in the WB and EJ. The WHO and international organizations play an active role in responding to a community spread, mainly national coordination, risk communication and community engagement, laboratory support, surveillance and procurement, and supply management. Recommendations include restructuring the national committees, reviewing and standardization of the national protocols, expanding infections prevention training, supporting and developing the capacity of laboratories, and setting the role of NGOs besides community engagement and participation.

BackgroundWomen and children bear a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality due to armed conflict. Life-saving maternal and child health (MCH) services are low-quality in most conflict-affected regions. Previous studies...

Assessment of malnutrition in preschool-aged children by mid-upper arm circumference in the Gaza Strip (January, 2024-August, 2025): a longitudinal, cross-sectional, surveillance study.

Food insecurity in the context of conflict: analysis of survey data in the occupied Palestinian territory

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and disease surveillance systems are fundamental to protecting public health in conflict-affected regions. The Gaza Strip, subjected to prolonged conflict, provides a stark example of the challenges and innovations in managing these systems under extreme conditions. This chapter explores the intersection of WASH and disease surveillance, focusing on the impact of conflict on infrastructure, the barriers to effective service delivery, and the innovative strategies employed to overcome these challenges. The chapter examines the limitations of traditional WASH and surveillance systems, the gaps in data collection, and the integration of WASH data into health surveillance for more effective outbreak management. Through case studies from Gaza, it highlights success stories such as mobile WASH units and solar-powered desalination while also discussing collaborative efforts between local and international actors. Additionally, the chapter discusses the role of technological advancements, including digital tools and syndromic surveillance, in enhancing the efficiency of disease detection and response. Finally, it reflects on the future directions for research and implementation in conflict zones, emphasizing the importance of community-centered interventions, cross-sector collaborations, and scalable, sustainable solutions to ensure resilience, and better health outcomes in the face of ongoing crises.

The accurate and swift assessment of building damage is essential for effective post-disaster restoration, yet this process is often hindered by managerial, technological, financial, and humanitarian challenges, especially in conflict-affected regions. While this study focuses on the Gaza Strip as a case study, the findings are applicable to other regions experiencing similar conflict-induced hazards. The research explores factors impacting post-disaster damage assessment and reconstruction, identifying key barriers to effectiveness and proposing guidelines for improvement. A literature review provided insights into existing challenges, which were further examined through expert interviews. A survey was conducted among site engineers, disaster managers, emergency officers, and project managers, achieving a 78.7% response rate. The findings highlighted that unstable structures, absence of safety permits, and residual hazards were among the most significant challenges, with field circumstances such as the scale of damage and geographical location having the greatest impact. Community participation was deemed less influential. The study recommends standardizing assessment procedures, improving data management, and prioritizing safety measures to enhance rehabilitation efforts and improve the quality of life for affected populations. Future research should refine these recommendations and assess their practical implementation.

During public emergencies, the level of public safety will be resilient and follow a process from decline to rise. Regarding the concept and influencing factors of public safety resilience, a three‐level public safety resilience framework that includes personal, community, and government levels was proposed in this study. It provided the overall metrics that used the resistance and recovery ability to describe the dynamic characteristics of public safety resilience as well as the resilience assessment indexes on three levels. In the context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, this study applied the proposed framework in a case study on public safety resilience at the Beihang community, Beijing, China through descriptive statistics, structural equation model, and principal component regression analysis of questionnaire data. The data analysis results showed that community resilience was the most important of the three levels of public safety resilience. In addition, community resilience could improve personal resilience, and government resilience had a positive effect on community and personal resilience. Compared with the resistance ability, the recovery ability was influenced more by the operation and improvement of the community. This study is conducive to understanding and improving public safety resilience on the personal, community, and government levels and can help relevant parties improve their ability to respond to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Furthermore, the methods used in this study can be extended to other studies on public emergencies.