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

WFP Emergency Report No. 38 of 2002

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C) Middle East Region: (1) Palestinian Territories 

1) Palestinian Territories 

(a) Nablus has been under curfew for more than 84 days, resulting in a sharp increase of prices of basic food commodities and a deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The Ministry of Health reported that all its programs including the childhood and women care programs were frozen due to the lack of access. Several diseases, such as dysentery, are being discovered and are rapidly spreading. Bethlehem city remains under closure and access for inhabitants from rural areas to the city is restricted by road blockades. The Israeli Forces are not imposing curfew on Ramallah city between 7-8 am and 1-3 pm in order to enable students to reach their schools and homes. However, commercial shops and offices are not allowed to work during the release hours.

(b) WFP, in collaboration with PARC, CRS and MSA, has distributed over 1,500 tons of food to almost 21,800 vulnerable families during the first half of September. Targeted areas include both southern and northern Governorates in the West Bank as well as the Gaza strip. In addition, PARC has completed food distribution for almost 1,300 families in Gaza city and north, 2,000 families in the south and 1,100 families in the middle area of Gaza. CRS has also started its distribution in Gaza city on 5 September. WFP staff in Gaza visited Mawasi Khan Younis. WFP is the second humanitarian agency, with ICRC, that has successfully crossed the Al-Toufah checkpoint into Mawasi.

(c) Monthly food allocation plans have been prepared up to December. WFP intends to target between 350,000 and 540,000 vulnerable people on a monthly basis. However, shortfalls in pulses, sugar, WSB and HEB are expected.

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