Project Summary

The CRDP programme is designed to address the challenges and development needs of communities living in Area C and East Jerusalem. Its objective is to empower local stakeholders, through the most suitable partners, to respond with resilience to threats that affect their sustenance on the land. To this end, the programme will contribute to:

• Preventing the erosion of living conditions of Palestinians in Area C and East Jerusalem that undermine their development capital;
• Protecting Palestinian land and property in Area C and East Jerusalem; and
• Mitigating and ideally reversing migration flow from Area C and East Jerusalem by enhancing human security and livelihood of Palestinians.

The CRDP is the result of a fruitful partnership led by the Palestinian Government, funded by the Governments of Sweden, Austria, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom and Switzerland and implemented by UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP). The Programme, which targets Palestinians residing in Area C and East Jerusalem, facilitates a complementary approach and a transition process from humanitarian interventions towards development and builds initiatives that are of a development nature, but are currently not taking place in Area C and East Jerusalem.

The programme is being implemented by a wide array of partners, including grassroots organizations, communities, local and international NGOs, based on their respective merits, and according to locally designed plans. It focuses on improving public and social infrastructure, access to and protection of natural resources, enhancing economic opportunities and upholding the rights of Palestinian citizens.

By 2017, the CRDP has enhanced the resilience of more than 112,000 Palestinians living in East Jerusalem and Area C; in addition to 110 grants, of a value of more than USD 24 million, have been implemented and completed. Based on the success achieved and considering the recommendations put forward in the final evaluation study of the CRDP conducted during 2017, the four partners recognized the importance of extending the CRDP till end of September 2019. The new contribution is expected to benefit around 20,000 people living in East Jerusalem, in addition to 6,000 Palestinians, mainly within the Bedouin community in Area C. With focus on East Jerusalem, the programme will be supporting economic empowerment and employability, education, housing, tourism and cultural activities while targeting youth, women and persons with disabilities

Accomplishments and Progress

• Education: 18,944 students, of whom 9,262 are females (49%), benefited from the renovation of 169 educational units in Area C and East Jerusalem.
• Health: 21,499 Palestinians, including 11,462 females (53%), benefited from improved access to health services through the provision of subsidized treatment in East Jerusalem and from mobile ophthalmic care clinics in about 35 Area C communities in south Hebron Hills.
• Energy: 2,326 people living in Bedouin communities in Area C benefited from improved access to renewable energy through the installation of 250 solar panel units. 
• Housing: 5,973 Palestinians benefited from improved access to proper and decent housing in Area C and East Jerusalem.
• Economic opportunities: 3,020 Palestinians, including 1,561 females (52%), benefited from improved new and existing economic opportunities by advancing their skills in sewing, food production, embroidery, multimedia, photography, design, etc.
• Land reclamation: 6,500 Palestinians in Area C benefited from the direct reclamation of 2,270 dunums of land, while another 4,512 dunums have been indirectly reclaimed through the construction/rehabilitation of agricultural roads. This is in addition to the numerous job opportunities that have been created as a result of land reclamation activities.
• Livestock: 400 herding families in 12 communities in Area C benefited from the vaccination of 39,403 animals and the de-worming of 34,453 animals. This resulted in 12% reduction in livestock mortality rate. In addition, 10% reduction in the abortion rate has occurred. 
• Agricultural roads: 19,300 Palestinians benefited from the construction/rehabilitation of 57.4 km of agricultural road in Area C. As a result, over 4,512 dunums of land have become accessible to the different communities.
• Protection of Natural Resources: 12,210 beneficiaries enjoyed improved access to potable water through the construction / rehabilitation of 185 cisterns, four springs, one reservoir and three water wells. The intervention increased storage capacity, reduced reliance on tankered water, and saved families USD 1,000 per year on purchase of water. As a result, there has been 30% reduction of water loss and increased irrigated land through the construction of 65.6 km of water networks. These networks benefited around 10,000 people directly and around 26,910 indirectly.
• Rights: 15,191 Palestinians including 8,274 females participated in 12 initiatives, 10 awareness sessions and 50 community meetings in Area C and East Jerusalem in order to develop their sense of belonging and connect Areas A and B with Area C. Each of these activities focused on a community issue that was identified by the participants themselves. These activities provided a forum for youth to voice their needs and opinions, enjoy their hobbies and interests as well as increase their awareness about their rights and responsibilities towards their communities.
• Culture:23,587 Palestinians living in Area C and East Jerusalem took part in initiatives and community meetings aiming at integrating youth within the Palestinian community and strengthening Palestinian identity.
• Area C Coordination Office (ACCO) was established in June 2016 to support policy and coordination, GIS and planning as well as advocacy and communication.Since its establishment, ACCO through the coordination committee reviewed the government’s sector plans and Area C components, and conducted an initial assessment of government engagement and leadership in humanitarian and development mechanisms. In addition, ACCO produced 18 knowledge and advocacy products including a draft Area C strategy, five policy papers and 12 op-eds and statements by the Prime Minister.