Crop prospects and food situation/Gaza, West Bank – FAO report (excerpts)

Food crises persist in 32 countries around the world. The situation is of particular concern in the Gaza Strip as a result of the recent conflict. …

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Food emergencies update

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In the Near East, the food situation in the Gaza Strip is very serious due the recent conflict. Much of the population in Gaza has been severely affected by the war during the 20-day period starting on 27 December 2008. This has made the already fragile food insecurity situation critically worse, particularly for those with no access to food and other essentials. In view of this, an Emergency Operation was jointly approved by FAO and WFP in January 2009 to provide food assistance to 65000 most affected people, including social hardship cases, vulnerable groups, internally-displaced people and affected farmers over a period of 12 months (20 January 2009 to 19 January 2010). In addition, an Emergency Response to High Food Prices in the West Bank was jointly approved by FAO and WFP to assist 1000 most affected people with cash-based vouchers worth about USD4.17 million (equivalent to about 5000 tonnes of food) over a period of 12 months (February 2009 to January 2010).

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Regional reviews

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Near East

Moisture conditions for 2009 winter grains improve with late rains but high temperatures affect snow cover

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In the Gaza Strip, following the recent conflict, the already precarious food security, characterized by soaring prices of basic food staples in 2008, has deteriorated. An Emergency Operation was jointly approved by FAO and WFP in January 2009 to provide food assistance to 65  000 most affected people, including social hardship cases, vulnerable groups, internally-displaced people and affected farmers over a period of 12 months.

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