Limited access to water represents one of the most pressing problems for poor Palestinian farmers and herders in the West Bank. In Jenin and Hebron Governorates, access to water resources and rainfall have become increasingly sporadic and scarce. The poorest farming households – particularly those headed by women – are the most negatively affected, due to their reliance on rainfed agriculture. A dual-track approach was applied to address water scarcity and promote rural employment. First, by implementing a “cash transfer” modality, cistern owners were able to participate in the construction/rehabilitation of their own structures, in addition to hiring contractors or supplementary labour to carry out the work. Hence, the project provided short-term employment opportunities through public works schemes, while also involving the targeted communities in the construction and rehabilitation of water cisterns.