Evaluation of Actual Performance of the Key Players in Disasters Management Phases in Gaza Strip

Abstract

Gaza Strip is known as a hot area according to historical records of Israeli aggressions on Palestinian people and properties. Many organizations were established to work in disasters management phases. The aim of this research is to evaluate the actual performance of the key players in disasters management fields in Gaza Strip, by identify the deficit in their performance and giving recommendations to enhance and develop their performance. The targeted groups of research are the Governmental organizations (Ministry of Public Works and Housing-MoPWH, Civil Defense), International agencies (United Nations for Reliefs and Works Agency - UNRWA, United Nations Development Programme – UNDP) and Semi-governmental organizations (Gaza Strip Municipalities). The non – governmental organizations and the organizations work in health sector or agricultural sector are excluded. A semi-structure interviews and questionnaire survey were used for collecting data, and a descriptive- comparative study was held to show the deficit in the key players performance. It is found that the decision makers experience and scientific knowledge in disaster management were low. The decisions are based on practical experience only, also more than 65% of decision makers emphasize that there is now specialized unit in their organizations for managing disasters. In disasters management phases, an average performance was noticed as whole from the governmental organizations and international agencies, with a significant shortening in the performance of semi-governmental organizations (Gaza Strip municipalities). Inadequate budget for mitigation and preparedness for disasters, low interest of the decision makers about the necessity of mitigation and preparation, the political situations, lack of coordination and weak infrastructure of Gaza Strip, all facing and hindering the key players performance. The study recommended that all organization must be working in increasing the knowledge about disasters management by specialized training and researching, allocate sufficient budget for mitigation and preparedness activities, activating the role of municipalities for managing disasters, and building trust between organizations for an effective communication and coordination system.