Subject: Policy and Operational Principles for Partners Operating in Gaza
Dear Implementing Partners,
The purpose of this notice is to provide policy guidance for all USAID partners implementing programs in Gaza. This notice supersedes and replaces Contractor Grantees Notice No. 2010-WBG-08. All partners are required to adhere to the following policy and operational principles and communicate them to their sub-awardees:
Prohibitions on providing assistance to Hamas or any entity effectively controlled by Hamas remain in place. At the current time these prohibitions preclude assistance for public institutions in Gaza, including assistance for publicly owned or controlled facilities or spaces. Exceptions may exist for assistance to municipalities that are not controlled by Hamas or another designated terrorist organization.
Current "contact policy" guidance applies to all Gaza program operations.
Procurements of commodities and services for project/program implementation are required to adhere to USAID procurement rules, policies and regulations and Mission Order No. 21. For those goods procured outside of Gaza, USAID will continue to seek Government of Israel/COGA T approval for the entry of commodities, materials and equipment using existing procedures. Implementing Partners must maintain in their files proper "chain of custody" documentation which either demonstrates the commodities' legal transfer into Gaza or demonstrates that commodities were manufactured, grown or produced in Gaza. Such documentation must be submitted or made available to USAID or its designees upon request. The requirement to maintain "chain of custody" documentation also applies to commodities provided or obtained under contracts or sub-contracts for services. All procurements in Gaza must be well documented.
Should you have any questions with regard to this notice, please contact Ms. Reine Joubran at rjoubran@usaid.gov.
