Introduction to the First Quarterly 1998 Monitoring Report of Donor Assistance
The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC) compiles and produces these quarterly reports in order to:

• Monitor the level of assistance to the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Measure donor activity and focus on accomplishments.
• Assess objectively the directions and priorities of development.
• Consolidate the Palestinian Authority’s strategy for donor assistance.
• Contribute indicators for dialogue on international cooperation program.

The procedure currently used by MOPIC for compiling and producing these quarterly reports involves the following basic process:

• Forwarding the current donation matrix to respective donors and implementing agencies along with a data collection form.

• Meeting with various donors’ representative offices and implementing agencies to discuss respective donor profiles.

• Gathering agreements pertinent to assistance programs for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

• Updating the Palestinian Aid Coordination System (PACS) with data collected from donors and implementing agencies.

• Forwarding the updated matrix to respective donors and implementing agencies for verification of the new data.

• Conducting objective data analysis and producing illustrative charts to clarify certain trends and sectoral development.

The accuracy, relevance, and integrity of the data presented in these quarterly reports are positively correlated with the following factors:

• Cooperation from donors and implementing agencies in the provision of data by the deadline and according to the format set by MOPIC prior to the production of the report.

• Quality control by MOPIC staff, that involves careful application of the PACS, data verification, and text editing.

• Provision of internationally accepted definitions for pledges, commitments and disbursements.

• Clarity about international currency exchange rates.

• Provision of some cross-reference to the Palestinian Development Plan (PDP).

institutions, particularly the World Bank, on the structure, content, and categories of the quarterly reports. Our ministry had decided to integrate most of these suggestions gradually in order to highlight the trends and changes, and to make the report a reliable source of information and a good tool for managing aid. To further improve the quality of the reports, MOPIC welcomes further proposals and suggestions.