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

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Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe

Occupied Palestinian Territories

(a) This weeks historic Palestinian Legislative Council elections (25th January) brought a landslide victory for Hamas who established an overwhelming majority (58%) over the other main contender and former ruling party, Fatah (33 %). Whilst the predicted upsurge in violence on election day was not realised, there has been a deterioration in internal security within oPt in the aftermath as celebrations have deteriorated into clashes between rival supporters. In anticipation of the Palestinian elections, WFP held meetings with EU, ECHO and USAID officials.

(b) All distributions were halted during the reporting period (20 – 26 January) as a pre-emptive measure to avoid security incidents. So far in January, 359,000 beneficiaries were assisted, and 5,891 tons of food has been distributed.

(c) WFP met with FAO to discuss FIVIMS planning. Meetings were also held with Oxfam on Gaza Strip projects, UNRWA on harmonisation of programmes and ECHO on future projects.

(d) Discussions this week between WFP and IMG on the Gaza Strip Bedouin draft should result in a final draft by the end of next week.

(e) WFP have completed the pipeline update as well as the Needs & shortfall reports. WFP is procuring 1,200 tons of peas, 400 tons of sugar and 800 tons of vegetable oil. The next pipeline break is in end April.

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