This article was originally published by This Week in Palestine and is republished with permission.

A Palestinian laborer works on a construction project for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the southern Gaza Strip. (Hatem Omar, Maan Images)

International non-governmental organiz- ations (INGOs) have been present in Palestine for more than 60 years and have evolved over time to adapt to the needs on the ground. Most INGOs that work in Palestine are well coordinated with local bodies, working together in order to add value to Palestinian society. These organizations understand that the agenda must be set first and foremost by the communities they serve.

More than 100 INGOs work in Palestine; and what may have started as a purely humanitarian endeavour, in light of the plight of the poor, has been transformed over the years into broader development work. The sectors include agriculture; culture and arts; economic development; environment; health, water, and sanitation; human rights; psycho-social development; and many other facets of civil society. Coordination mechanisms such as the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), which has a membership of at least 70 INGOs, work together in order to ensure that gaps and overlaps be avoided and to maintain a cohesive voice when advocacy is needed.

Combined, the INGOs bring into Palestine approximately US$ 300 million per year. Although this amount barely covers the minimum needs, it is mostly directed towards grassroots communities, impacting people at the family level. The funds come from more than 20 countries where the organizations draw support or were originally registered. Government grants have been a traditional source of funding, but many organizations are now increasingly reliant on private monies from foundations or individuals who believe in the work that is being done. This has been key in strengthening the INGO presence in Palestine and allowing INGOs to follow strategic plans based on the feedback received from the community.

INGOs are committed to supporting the interests of the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan (PRDP). Many INGOs have intentionally pursued a policy of working alongside Palestinian civil society organizations, local government, and village councils. This has increased the opportunity to learn from the communities and to model programs and projects accordingly. It has led to some introspection among the INGOs, and many have had to make a conscious decision to emphasize the responsibility of the Palestinian people in capacity-building so that they are empowered to take control of their own affairs and fulfill their own vision for the future; but all benefit from this strategy in the end.

The partnerships that INGOs have nurtured with Palestinian NGOs have also offered tremendous ground for learning and adapting strategies that contribute to the development of Palestinian society. Local NGOs and communities understand that INGOs aim not to keep them aid-reliant, but rather to work together with them in order to seek a dignified life for all sectors of the population.

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Apart from fulfilling their humanitarian mandates, most INGOs would like to see a time when they are no longer needed. It is indeed "a business that makes no profit and would prefer to go out of business!" Local staff are among the best resources because they are often some of the most highly educated women and men in Palestinian society. Their level of professionalism and dedication has been an asset not only in understanding the INGO working context but also in achieving the best possible effectiveness and efficiency in implementing ultimate goals. They are also best placed to challenge local Palestinian policies if necessary.

International staff sometimes arrive with preconceived notions of how things truly are, perhaps offering intellectualized ways to improve the situation, but they quickly realize how wrong this can be. Working in Palestine is a truly humbling experience when one realizes the deep injustices that the community has to endure merely to survive. As witnesses here, INGO staff not only have a duty to implement programs but also to understand the needs of all the people and to represent them accurately when reporting to the world outside. In a sense INGOs become informal ambassadors, speaking up for truth and battling misconceptions. This can make a difference not only among the general public but also in the corridors of their respective parliaments and governments.

When INGO staff leave Palestine, they often carry with them the narrative of the Palestinian people and attempt to open people’s eyes to see that international aid is not merely an act of compassion but rather a rights-based commitment to restoring justice and sustainability for all the people of this land. In other words, INGOs do not want to be thanked for their work but rather consider it their mission to work for justice and dignity. Everyone has the right, for example, to education, clean water, health, shelter, and access to medical facilities - and indeed INGO advocacy work often centers on such issues.

INGO staff are also human beings and often our work goes deep into our hearts. How can I forget the suffering of the disabled child I saw in Hebron last week? How can I fail to respect the skill of the fishermen in Gaza? How can we not weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice? Speaking personally, I will be forever changed, in heart and mind, after working here.

Until a resolution is found for the conflict, which is the underlying cause of many of the problems that the Palestinian community endures, the INGOs will continue to work alongside the local people as friends, supporters, challengers, and advocates. And we are both enriched by the experience.

Charles Clayton is the national director for World Vision - Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza program and the current chair of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA).