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Highlights
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Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
- The humanitarian situation in oPt during the first half of 2013 remains unchanged. Movement and access within the occupied Palestinian territory is restricted by the Gaza closure, and in the West Bank a combination of physical obstacles such as checkpoints, roadblocks and gates and bureaucratic constraints such as permits and lack of access to restricted areas. As a result, serious protection and human rights concerns and limited access to essential services including education and health continued to characterize the day-to-day lives of many Palestinians.
- Between November 14 and 21, 2012 Israeli forces conducted a major military operation in the Gaza Strip (Operation Pillar of Defence). The period was marked by Israeli Air Force (IAF) airstrikes, firing from Israeli naval vessels and tanks into Gaza, and Palestinian rocket fire into
- Israel, including Tel Aviv. It was reported that 158 Palestinians were killed; including 103 civilians, of whom at least 33 were children and 13 women. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), 1,269 Palestinians were also injured. Six Israelis (four civilians and two soldiers) were killed and 224 were injured. In Gaza, approximately 300 houses were destroyed or sustained major damage, while 1,700 houses suffered light damage.
- Between 7 and 10 January, a severe winter storm hit oPt, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities. Some 12,500 people in 190 communities in Gaza and the West Bank were negatively impacted by the loss of, or damage to, residences and agricultural livelihoods due to flooding and strong winds.
- In the West Bank, eight Palestinian civilians were killed (including one woman and two children) and another 2,527 injured (817of them children and 38 women) by Israeli forces during the first five months of the year, compared to three fatalities and 1,442 injuries (including 235 children and 20 women) during the same period in 2012.
- Negative trends of illegal settlement activities, incursions and arrests in Area A and demolitions are particularly concerning. Protests, including over the unresolved issue of Palestinian prisoners and over the killing of children shot at by Israeli Security Forces (ISF), have widened and increasingly resulted in violence affecting children. In Hebron there was a significant increase in the number of children arrested and detained on their way to school. The total number of incidents documented in Palestine from January to 30 June is 1,098, affecting 20,491 children. In Palestine 768 boys and 14 girls were injured and four boys killed.
- Overall food insecurity levels rose 24% in 2012 over 2011 levels. Currently, an estimated 57% of households in Gaza and 19% in the West Bank are food-insecure, with an additional 14 and 17%, respectively, at risk of falling into food insecurity'.
- In Health, shortages of drugs and medical disposables particularly in Gaza continue to limit delivery of health services. In the Gaza Strip, drugs shortages currently stand at 29%, while there is a 52% shortage in medical disposables2.
- The WASH situation remains critical. In Gaza, less than 10% of available groundwater resources is suitable for drinking purposes. In the West Bank, over one million people continue to access less than 60 litres per capita per day of water (I/c/d). Following the escalation in Gaza in November 2012, damage to WASH infrastructure disrupted water supply and caused sewage floods into the street with potential for polluting water resources and generating public health concerns.
- More than 2,500 children out of the communities in the West Bank assessed by the Education Cluster cross through one or more checkpoints to reach their schools every day. Girls mostly drop out when they have to travel to a school outside of their immediate community. Due to the escalation of conflict in Gaza November 2012, at least 142 government school buildings were damaged, ranging from light to complete damage. This resulted in the disruption of schooling and the creation of unsafe learning environment for at least 123,641 children (at least 50% girls).
- Exposure to the November 2012 escalation of conflict in Gaza has had a devastating impact on the psychosocial wellbeing of children and adolescents. Two key rapid assessments conducted after the escalation revealed the chronic need for psychosocial impact mitigation for children and adolescents. These assessments were the oPt Inter-cluster Rapid Assessment (IRA) and the Psychosocial Rapid Assessment which surveyed children and adolescents. The psychosocial rapid assessment sought to measure the impact of the military hostilities on the psychosocial status of children and provide directions for emergency psychosocial intervention. A sample of 545 boys and girls aged 0-18 years living in the areas most affected by the conflict, in each of the five Governorates in Gaza, were interviewed by trained field workers. The assessment found that children who have been injured, who live in homes that have been destroyed or damaged, or who have witnessed several violent events (bomb explosions, people injured or killed and property damaged or destroyed), are a priority for action. It also indicated that the conflict affected boys and girls differently, with boys showing more emotional symptoms, such as increased level of fear, and girls displaying more physical symptoms such as a significant change in appetite, nervousness and crying. Older children were proportionally more affected than younger ones.
- Large numbers of explosive remnants of war (ERW) in the streets, in public places, in schools and in residential areas of Gaza are a major concern to protection of children. To date there have been 20 victims (2 killed and 18 injured) of UXO/ERW of which 18 were children (15 boys and 3 girls). UN estimates show that 50 per cent of the rockets fired from Gaza at Israel fall short and land in Gaza, posing a serious risk to children.
Humanitarian leadership and coordination
UNICEF continues to work closely with the Palestinian Authority, UN partners and NGOs. UNICEF continues to lead the WASH Cluster; the Child Protection Working Group and the Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory Working Group on grave violations against children; and co-lead the education cluster with Save the Children.
UNICEF together with Cluster partners including CMWU in Gaza for WASH and PCDCR for Psychosocial support participated actively in the inter-agency Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA) carried out in January 2013 to assess the impact of the November 2012 hostilities in Gaza. Based on the findings of the IRA, UNICEF revised its appeal. In January, CERF Rapid Response window were received for WASH and Psychosocial rapid response actions in the first six months of 2013 following the escalation in hostilities in Gaza in November 2012. ERF funding was also received for the repairs of doors and windows in schools damaged in Gaza.
UNICEF continues to lead the WASH Cluster Coordination. Monthly meetings with Cluster partners are held in West Bank and Gaza Strip and SitReps shared regularly including updates on material entry, fuel/electricity status in Gaza and Water Scarcity in West Bank with urgent responses initiated accordingly. Tracking of WASH infrastructure demolition incidents was also maintained for response and advocacy purposes. The WASH cluster participated in the review of the PWA National Water Strategy. Two workshops were held in the North and the South West Bank to prepare a mid-term strategy for water scarcity intervention.
As a result of UNICEF leadership, the Child Protection Working Group adopted the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action as its main focus for the 2013-2014 work plan. It has agreed to do a contextualisation workshop and a launch during the second half of the year.
UNICEF's role as chair of the Monitoring of Grave Violations Against Children Working Group (MRM) enabled partners to document that 383 Palestinian children had been injured and 11 killed and three Israeli children injured in 2013. The MRM Database has been upgraded and is now able to produce more detailed analysis of incident categories, in particular in relation to the type of military or armed group activity having an impact on the functioning of schools as well as in relation to settler activity. The OCHA Humanitarian Atlas, published in June 2013, features two maps – one highlights the impact of the conflict on children in oPt and the second one provides an overview of the psychosocial response system in Gaza.
UNICEF Programme response
Nutrition
- Initial plans for the introduction of Community Management and Child Malnutrition (CMAM) were overridden by prioritized needs in neonatal care including urgent needs for small scale rehabilitation and equipment of neonatal intensive care units (N ICUs) — expected to significantly improve survival rates and other neonatal care outcomes.
- Efforts continued towards the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) initiated in 2012 in nine hospitals and 45 health facilities in the West Bank and three hospitals in Gaza. Another four hospitals will be introduced in 2014.This initiative has reached 26,000 pregnant women and 36,000 lactating mothers in West Bank and 14,720 in Gaza Strip with counseling sessions on exclusive breastfeeding.
Health
- In response to the escalation of violence in Gaza in November 2012, UNICEF provided 27 essential paediatric drugs for use in paediatric hospitals and PHC centers in Gaza Strip benefitting a caseload of at least 15,000 sick children.
- UNICEF is working closely with MOH towards reaching at-risk newborns through improving neonatal care services. Bidding and contracting is underway for the rehabilitation of five neonatal units: one in Gaza (Al-Shefa) and four in the West Bank (Ramallah, Qalqilia, Nablus, and Tulkarem); and the provision of equipment to six neonatal care units: one in Gaza (AI-Shefa) and five in the West Bank (Ramallah, Qalqilia, Nablus, Beit Jala and Hebron).
- UNICEF is working with MOH to provide the needed equipment and furniture to ensure the full functioning of maternity wards in two hospitals in Tulkarem and Jenin. This will results in improved pediatric health services to 17,000 children and obstetric health services to 12,000 women in affected communities.
WASH
- In response to the escalation in hostilities in November 2012, UNICEF in collaboration with CMWU, supported the repairs of the damaged water and sewage networks; and damaged generators. This included the following:
- Repairs of 1,700 meter of sewage networks and 600 meter of water networks in Rafah, Khan Younis and Deir El-Balah. As a result, 4,000 people (1,760 females, 2,240 males) including more than 2,000 children have their access to networks back to normal.
- Repairs of 80 damaged generators of water wells and desalination plants to restore water services including 18 generators in Rafah, 22 generators in Khan Younis, 25 generators in the Middle Area and 15 ones in North Gaza. As a result, 660,000 people (369,600 males, 290,400 females) including more than 420,000 children have better access to water services during the hours of electricity cut off.
- A total of 280 m3 of chlorine and chemicals for water disinfection and treatment were delivered to the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), benefiting the entire population in Gaza (around 1.6 million people — half of which are children). In addition, UNICEF procured 1,500 adult hygiene kits and 1,000 baby hygiene kits for the benefit of 3,000 families and 1,000 babies.
- UNICEF continued to lead on the WASH Cluster coordination with dedicated human resources including WASH Cluster coordinator, Information manager and sub-cluster coordinator in Gaza.
Child Protection
- UNICEF scaled up its psychosocial programmes implemented in Gaza in Family Centers, Adolescent-Friendly spaces, and through the five Psychosocial Emergency Teams reaching a total of 149,894 children (50% girls) (of which 37,145 were adolescents) with professional psychosocial support services that helped increase their resilience and coping mechanisms. The services included group counselling, individual counselling, emergency home visits, life skills, educational support and recreational activities. Children were also provided with basic awareness on UXO risk education, which is described more fully below.
- In addition, a total of 17,986 caregivers (35% men) were reached through awareness raising activities designed to improve parents' knowledge and skills on how to protect their children and provide better support to them, especially at times of crises. This work was necessary to help parents restore normalcy to the lives of their children and to boost their resilience and coping mechanisms. Targeting of caregivers was done through the Family Centers, PCDCR local branches, local CBOs and mosques. Leaflets produced through the project were disseminated to caregivers. The leaflets included information on how to support children, including younger children and the contact details of professionals providing in depth counselling and mental health support was provided. Caregivers also received awareness sessions on UXO risk education and safety precautions at times of crisis (see the section below on Communication for Development for further information on UXO and mine risk education).
- At least 852 male and female professionals (45% women) including staff of Family Centers, Adolescent-Friendly Spaces, School Counsellors, religious and community leaders and other psychosocial professionals were provided with new knowledge and skills in the provision of psychosocial service provision to children and their families.
- Purchase and prepositioning of child protection emergency preparedness and response kits is underway for the benefit of 10,000 children in Gaza.
Education
- UNICEF responded to the educational needs of affected children in Gaza following the 2012 November crisis through the procurement of 29,000 school bags and 6,100 stationary kits benefiting around 29,000 children.
- In close collaboration with the Education Cluster and the Ministry of Education, 98 schools were repaired (24 North Gaza, 21 West Gaza, 17 East Gaza, 14 Rafah, 22 West Khan Younis). As a result, more than 87,945 children (40,915 girls) benefitted from a safer learning environment.
- To provide safe access to schools, UNICEF in partnership with EAPPI, started providing protective presence since May 2013 at 16 different locations (including checkpoints and gates). A total of 3,317 children (1,037 girls / 2,280 boys) and 249 teachers have safer and timelier access to schools. As of April a total of 8 EAPPI volunteers / ecumenical accompaniers were trained at home and in-country, amongst others on protective presence principles, data collection and international law and human rights. EAPPI provides monthly Check Point Monitoring Logs to the international community and has provided one Incident Report regarding access restrictions in Hebron. In addition since May at least one delegation per week representing diplomatic missions, churches, international and national NGO's have visited several locations where protective presence is provided. EAPPI is reprinting their 2012 publication on Education under Occupation to be used as tool for advocating the right to safe access to education for Palestinian children.
Adolescents
- In partnership with NGO partners, namely Ma'an Development Center and Tamer Institute for Community Education, after-school activities are carried out in Adolescents Friendly Spaces intended to reach at least 10,000 adolescents (50% girls) in creative learning, Life Skills, recreational activities and Health awareness sessions with start date in June.
- As mentioned above (under Child Protection), a total of 37,145 adolescents (50% girls) between ages 10-18 were provided with psychological support activities including recreational activities to enable them to cope with stress and anxiety. In addition, a total of 2,296 caregivers (1,583 mothers) received training to improve their skills to respond to the psychosocial needs of children and adolescents.
Communication for Development (C4D)
- In Gaza, children are living in communities that are subjected to the risks of Unexploded Ordinances (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW), as a result of periodic escalations in the conflict. After the military offensive in Gaza in November 2012, UNMAS documented 20 victims (2 killed and 18 injured) of UXO/ERW of which 18 were children (15 boys and 3 girls). UNDSS estimates show that 50 per cent of the rockets fired from Gaza at Israel fall short and land in Gaza, posing a serious risk to children. In response to this situation, UNICEF has been supporting partners to lead on the protection of children by conducting community education and behaviours change campaigns to reduce vulnerability to injury. In the first half of 2013, these efforts have reached 347 Governmental schools with a Training of Trainers programme whereby four school based staff in each of the 347 schools were trained on delivering MRE. These efforts were designed to reach 268,000 children. In addition, at least 52,000 children attending 21 Family Centers and around 50 local community-based organizations, where psychosocial support services are offered, received MRE. In recognizing the role of caregivers in influencing the behaviours of their children, MRE was provided to 3,122 through the Family Centers. Given the urgent need for MRE following the November crisis, these efforts were mounted with no specific humanitarian funding for this purpose. MRE was integrated into the broader psychosocial response funded through the CERF mechanism.
- Through the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) initiated in 2012 in nine hospitals and 45 health facilities in the West Bank and three hospitals in Gaza, efforts continued to promote exclusive breastfeeding through counselling sessions and C4D material.
Supply and Logistics
- Supplies are a major part of humanitarian programming and the logistical support required is subject to complex procedures and extended negotiations involving both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel.
- Supplies procured/being procured for the humanitarian response contain commodities such as essential paediatric emergency drugs and consumables; life-saving drugs for neonatal intensive care units; disinfectant chlorine and hygiene kits; learning materials; recreational kits; supplies required for water network repairs; and others.
Security
- Although the occupied Palestinian territory is small in geographic area, the complexities of its operating environment demand a high level of cross-sectoral support. Security requires heightened focus in a context where major and minor conflicts can quickly threaten the safety of staff and assets.
- Through the consequent updates of the Programme Assessments to the Security Risk Assessment (SRA)/Security Risk Management (SRM), together with oPt UNDSS daily security updates for all five areas (Gaza, West Bank, Jerusalem, North Israel and Southern Israel), UNICEF ensures minimum level of readiness for an emergency/crisis situation. The current security levels are: 1) Gaza: substantial; 2) Southern Israel: (40 Km buffer zone) moderate; 3) North Israel: low; 4) West Bank: moderate; 5) Jerusalem: Low.
Funding
The initial funding requirement for UNICEF oPt humanitarian action (developed before the November 2012 escalation of hostilities) was USD $17,280,000. Based on the findings of an UN and NGO interagency Multi-cluster Initial Rapid Assessment carried out in January 2013 to assess the impact of the November 2012 hostilities in Gaza and southern Israel, UNICEF increased its appeal to $ 27,337,539. To date 54% of the appeal (USD $ 14,667,696) has been received.
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UNICEF wishes to express its deep gratitude to all donors for their generous contributions which have made the current response possible.
For further information, please contact
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Name June Kunugi Special Representative State of Palestine Telephone: +972 (0)2 584 0401 Mobile: +972 (0)54 778 7600 Email: jkunugi@unicef.org |
Name Douglas G Higgins Deputy Special Representative State of Palestine Telephone: +972 (0)2 584 9408 Mobile: +972 (0)547 787691 E-mail: dghigginsaunicetorq |
Name Lara Abu-Shilbayeh Programme & Planning Specialist State of Palestine Telephone: +972 (0)2 584 0425 Mobile: +972 (0)547 787625 Email: labushilbayeh@unicef.org |
Endnotes
1The SEFSEC is conducted jointly by WFP, FAO, UNRWA, and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS).
22013 Mid-year CAP, OCHA
3 In light of prioritized needs at MOH, the focus was shifted to neonatal care
4On track for reaching target by year end at final delivery of procured drugs and completion of rehabilitation of neonatal units
5!dem
6!dem
7Target revised at the beginning of 2013 to include immediate needs that resulted from the 2012 November crisis: Entire population in Gaza reached with chlorine for water disinfection
8Target revised at the beginning of 2013 to include immediate needs that resulted from the 2012 November crisis
9Same cohort reached through direct psychosocial support
10Target revised at the beginning of 2013 to include immediate needs that resulted from the 2012 November crisis
11Figure includes children reached from rehabilitation of school in Gaza and protective presence
12On track for reaching target by year end
Document Type: Situation Report, Update
Document Sources: United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF)
Subject: Armed conflict, Assistance, Ceasefire, Children, Gaza Strip, Health, Humanitarian relief, Incidents, Internally displaced persons, Living conditions, Population, Protection, Refugees and displaced persons, Security issues, Shelter, Water
Publication Date: 31/07/2013