Occupied Palestinian Territory – Operational priorities – WFP report (excerpts)

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Project dates: Sept 05 – Aug 08

• After five years of protracted political and economic crisis and rising violence, which has resulted in a steady decline of living standards and increased levels of food insecurity, the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) continues to be grave. For the poorest Palestinians, access to adequate, affordable, safe and nutritious food remains a daily challenge and the population remains increasingly dependant on external assistance. Under the PRRO, WFP supports the poor and food insecure population in the West Bank and Gaza by providing food rations through general distribution (40 percent) and food-for-work and food-for-training programmes (60 percent).

• WFP is gravely concerned by the deteriorating internal security situation in Gaza. The kidnapping threat has increased, and there have been two recent hijackings of UN vehicles in Gaza. In the absence of security guarantees, the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) has suspended all external missions to Gaza until further notice and the few staff remaining in Gaza are operating under extremely strict security restrictions. The current situation is seriously hampering WFP’s ability to monitor and support the food security of the most vulnerable population in Gaza.

• According to a recently completed WFP/FAO report, a deteriorating economy in oPt is leading to a marked decline in living standards. Many people are being forced to sell off assets such as land or tools in order to buy food. The report indicated that 34 percent of the population in oPt remain food insecure.

• WFP is hopeful that recent Palestinian political developments will bring about a positive change for the Palestinians who have been caught between the stringent security measures by Israel on the one hand and Palestinian infighting on the other hand, a situation that has led to an unprecedented deterioration in the social and economic life in the oPt, especially in Gaza. • Generous donor support means that the two-year operation (to August 2007) is well resourced. Requirements for 2007 in the table above include upcoming PRRO, subject to approval.

• Pipeline breaks to the end of May will be covered from unprogrammed balances of donations.

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