Assistance to the Palestinian people – Emergency report on OPT – WFP report (excerpts)

WFP Emergency Report No. 44 of 2005

This week 's report covers the following sectors: Coordination and Support Services, Food, Health, Protection / Human Rights / Rule of Law, Refugees and IDPs, Shelter and Non-food Items, Water & Sanitation 

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(3) Occupied Palestinian Territories

(a) The security situation throughout the oPt and in Israel deteriorated significantly during the reporting period (13 – 26 October). Following an attack in the Israeli town of Hadera on 26 October, the Gaza Strip has been completely closed, affecting access of WFP national staff. A complete closure has also been imposed on Tulkarem in addition to the tight West Bank closures imposed during the Israeli Sukkot holidays. WFP national staff travelling from the West Bank faced difficulties in getting to work owing to long delays at checkpoints (Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah). In addition, the internal security in Gaza Strip remains extremely unstable.

(b) In the West Bank, WFP delivered 2,234 tons of food commodities to warehouses under the September, October and November allocations. General food distributions to Social Hardship Cases (SHC) registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs have started and will cover requirements of the September – October period. A total of 2786 families received 239.775 tons of WFP food commodities for the SHCs under the September-October allocation in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus governorates. All distributions were monitored to ensure the correct ration was received and the WFP guidelines followed. More than 90% of women collected rations at the distribution point and 80% of ration cards were issued in women’s names.

(c) In Hebron, meetings were held with the officials in Governor’s Office to coordinate an emergency food distribution to 1,000 extremely vulnerable families who have been severely affected by the current economic crisis. Some 63 tons of mixed food commodities were delivered to the Governorate warehouse and distributions are ongoing.

(d) In the Gaza Strip, 960 tons of WFP commodities were distributed under the November/ December allocation. Field visits for the Bedouin vulnerability study have been completed.

(e) The operational closure of Emergency Operation (EMOP) 101902 is scheduled for 31 October 2005; this will be the last date to commit money.

(f) The WFP oPT office have deployed a second staff member to Pakistan in support of the relief efforts.

(g) WFP has met with UNICEF to present the End Child Hunger Initiative and foster partnership.

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