The Civil Action Committees (SAWAED) was established in the Gaza Strip in 2006 as an independent social institution. The creation of SAWAED came as a normal response to the tragic economic, political, social, cultural, legal and institutional realities in the Palestinian territories. In addition, the Palestinians' needs and demands have been neglected and disregarded by the Palestinian Authority and representatives in achieving sustainable development and providing the minimum requirements of a decent life.

SAWAED was established to meet people's dire needs of advancing their conditions and accomplishing the objectives of liberation, independence, a modern state, development and evolution through hard work and united efforts within the framework of an independent and democratic civil work.

Considering its creation as a new and unique phenomenon in the civil work experience in Palestine, SAWAED has a keen desire to learn from the mistakes of the previous civil work, and tries hard for directing this work in favor of all Palestinian categories.

SAWAED seeks, at the same time, to enhance democracy as a basis of development, creativity and progress, and as a tool of accountability.

SAWAED also emphasizes that developmental civil work has nothing to do with political or factional affiliations, and will try to ensure professional, administrative and financial independence in civil work.

SAWAED believes that every citizen has the right to social liberty and developmental work in order to secure a decent and proper life for their families.

SAWAED is keen to establish a network of alliance with cadres and institutions at local, Arab and international levels for the purpose of defending the rights and interests of the Palestinians.

And finally, SAWAED depends on the efforts of its some 1200 affiliate volunteers to implement its activities and programs. Those volunteers are distributed to the different parts of the Gaza Strip and are managed by committees at four different levels: 52 Areas Committees, 52 Advisory Committees, 5 Governorates Committees and the Governorates Committees Coordinating Body.