Cash-for-Work Program to Support Vulnerable Communities in Gaza (Palestine)

Deadline: 03-Mar-2026

The WFP Cash-for-Work program in Gaza provides immediate income and livelihood support for vulnerable populations affected by ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. The initiative combines emergency employment, infrastructure rehabilitation, vocational training, and digital skills development to restore livelihoods and support longer-term recovery.

Overview

The Cash-for-Work (CfW) initiative is designed to address urgent and medium-term recovery needs in Gaza, offering temporary income for vulnerable populations while improving critical infrastructure. It also integrates skill-building opportunities to promote sustainable livelihoods.

Key Objectives:

• Provide immediate employment and short-term income to the most vulnerable populations across Gaza.

• Mobilize skilled and unskilled labor for infrastructure rehabilitation, debris clearance, and market restoration.

• Promote upcycling initiatives and digital financial literacy training.

• Ensure inclusivity for youth, women, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence.

• Support vocational training, orientation, and job matching for sustainable employment pathways.

• Manage labor deployment efficiently across all Gaza governorates.

Context and Need

Since October 2023, Gaza has faced:

• Extensive destruction of public infrastructure.

• Disrupted markets and collapsed public services.

• Food insecurity affecting over 90% of the population.

• Unemployment of approximately 80% and widespread poverty.

• Loss of livelihoods, damaged farms, roads, and water drainage systems.

Emergency interventions like the Cash-for-Work program are critical to provide immediate income support, rehabilitate essential infrastructure, and restore community access to basic services.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

The program targets vulnerable populations, including:

• Youth and women seeking short-term employment.

• Persons with disabilities requiring inclusive work opportunities.

• Survivors of gender-based violence.

• Communities in need of income and livelihood support across all Gaza governorates.

Qualified partners and implementing organizations are also sought to manage, mobilize, and train labor while ensuring equitable deployment.

How the Program Works

1. Labor Mobilization: WFP partners recruit, train, and deploy laborers for short-term employment activities.

2. Infrastructure Rehabilitation: Activities include repairing roads, farm access, water drainage systems, and debris clearance.

3. Income Support: Participants receive immediate financial compensation for their work, helping alleviate food insecurity and economic hardship.

4. Skills Development: Workers receive vocational training, digital skills, and financial literacy support to improve future employment prospects.

5. Inclusion and Equity: Special attention is given to ensuring participation of vulnerable and marginalized groups.

6. Sustainable Pathways: The program links emergency work to longer-term recovery, including sustainable livelihoods and community resilience initiatives.

Key Considerations for Partners

• Experience in large-scale labor deployment in emergency contexts.

• Capacity to provide training, supervision, and orientation for diverse labor groups.

• Ability to implement projects across multiple governorates in Gaza.

• Commitment to inclusion, gender equality, and protection of vulnerable populations.

• Capacity to monitor and report on outcomes, including infrastructure rehabilitation and employment impact.

Tips for Successful Participation

• Clearly outline how the program will target vulnerable populations.

• Demonstrate experience with emergency work or livelihoods programs.

• Provide robust monitoring and reporting plans.

• Highlight strategies for sustainable employment and skills transfer.

• Ensure alignment with WFP objectives for inclusive recovery and resilience.

FAQ

1. Who can participate in the Cash-for-Work program?

• Vulnerable populations in Gaza, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence.

2. What types of work are included?

• Infrastructure rehabilitation, debris clearance, farm and water drainage restoration, and upcycling initiatives.

3. How long do employment activities last?

• Activities are short-term, providing immediate income while supporting recovery projects.

4. Are there training opportunities for participants?

• Yes, participants receive vocational training, digital financial literacy, and job readiness support.

5. How is inclusion ensured?

• Special measures ensure equitable participation of youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

6. Who manages the program implementation?

• WFP works with qualified partner organizations responsible for labor mobilization, training, supervision, and reporting.

7. What is the broader impact of the program?

• Immediate income support, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, skills development, and pathways to sustainable employment and community resilience.

Conclusion

The WFP Cash-for-Work initiative provides urgent livelihood support and income to Gaza’s most vulnerable while rebuilding essential infrastructure and enhancing workforce skills. By combining employment, training, and inclusion, the program fosters resilience, promotes equitable recovery, and lays the foundation for long-term community and economic stability.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.