Gaza food security issues (4 March 2009) - FAO/WFP update

UPDATE ON FOOD SECURITY ISSUES – 4th March 2009

Availability of food and prices Mills and Bakeries

Current stock in the mills in Gaza Strip: since the first week of September 2008, when the total mill stock was the highest in the past six months (24,000 mt), the volume of mills stock sharply reduced, to reach its lowest level in the first week of December 2008, when stocks plummeted to 180 mt. The stock level began to increase after the war, reaching 11,700 mt at the end of February 2009, however far below those of September (Fig. 1 below). Stock trends in the past six months have affected the availability and the accessibility of food in the Gaza Strip.

Given the commercial wheat requirements in Gaza of 450 mt/day, the current stock will cover the needs for approximately 26 days, until 22 March 2009.

Figure 1: Total Wheat Flour stock for all mills in Gaza Strip Sep08 to Feb 09

Based on the available field information, it is safe to assume that basic goods, including wheat flour, pulses and powdered milk have commercially been entering Gaza after the war in sufficient quantities to both cover the immediate needs and begin to build up stocks for the weeks to come. Other food items, such as canned food, rice, sugar and vegetable oil, have been entering consistently.

Of the six mills in Gaza, one is not operational (El-Bader mill, Northern Gaza): it remains closed since its destruction by an airstrike during the war.

The majority of bakeries are now operating normally, thanks to the availability of flour. However, the amount of cooking gas is still below requirements and the problem will persists if imports remain low.

Fishing

Fishing activity is still restricted to 3 nautical miles from the coast (the fishing limit outlined by the Oslo Accords was 20 nautical miles), prevents sufficient catches and limits profits. The restriction to access sea is causing a major loss to launch owners (especially trawlers and senier boats) as well as labor workers – March being the peak of the fishing season for Lux and sardines, found at 6 miles. As a consequence, only two kinds of fish can be found on the market, i.e, ghozlan (at35 NIS/kg) and Assafeer (at 25 NIS/kg).

Moreover, the new fishing season is due to start in April, and unless this restriction of 3 nautical miles is lifted, the next fishing season will be strongly affected.

Conclusion: basic food items are currently available in Gaza in sufficient quantities; however, the prices of some food items increased substantially compared to pre-war prices, especially for sugar, rice, onion, tomato, milk powder, chicken and frozen fish. The prices of other food commodities remained the same or decreased (table 1 below). This analysis has also been confirmed by anecdotal observations and results of the qualitative rapid emergency food security assessment (EFSA).

Table 1: Price of the basic commodities in Gaza Strip before, during and after the war

Agricultural sector (Fresh food)

Local production: The majority of the fresh food consumption is locally produced. Anecdotal reports and first results from the EFSA suggest that:

Between 35-60 percent of the agriculture industry has been damaged by the Israeli military operation. FAO estimates that 13,000 families who depend directly on farming, herding and fishing have suffered significant damage to their livelihoods.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market in relatively large quantities and at normal, even slightly lower than usual, prices, except for tomatoes (8 percent increase). However, field observations suggest that this is the result of farmers harvesting their produce ahead of season. It is likely that once the current availability is depleted, there will be a shortage of these items due to severe constraints in re-starting the new productive cycle.

Poultry meats and egg production: the deficiency of poultry food and heating gas before war, as well as the damages to poultry farms that occurred during the war lead to a shortage of poultry meat in the markets. People rely on imported frozen poultry meat for consumption. Similarly, the availability of eggs was affected, but the situation is now improving: chickens are returning to production, due to the increased availability of chicken fodder. The price of eggs dropped from 21 NIS (after the war) to 16 NIS/egg carton containing 30 eggs.

Hatcheries: while three of the chicken hatcheries were damaged during the war, seven hatcheries continue to function at full capacity. It is expected that local production of poultry meats will improve in about 1 month, and that more fresh chicken meat will be available in the market, provided that the Israeli authorities continue to allow sufficient heating gas to enter the Strip. Also, several farms of layers will be ready to produce an increased number of eggs in about 3.5 months.

While many farmers do not have access to their farming lands due to land destruction or prevailing insecurity (‘buffer zone’, used for grazing), they are currently accessing fresh foods (vegetables, fruits) by purchasing on credit or through support of extended family and friends.

Gaza Strip employees salaries

As of 1st March, the de facto Hamas Government started paying salaries to 20% of the total civil servants in Gaza.

Highlights

Availability of basic food is currently acceptable for both fresh and dry foods, whereas accessibility remains particularly problematic for red meat and poultry meat.

As of 25 February, the total stock of wheat flour in Gaza mills is 11,700 mt which is enough to cover the needs of the total population for approximately 26 days, until 22 March 2009.

Shortages of animal feed and gas have contributed to the increase of prices of chicken in the market from 12 to 19.75NIS/Kg last month.

The price of meat has decreased after the war by 0.5%. Vegetables are available and prices have decreased, with the only exception of tomato prices (+8%)

However, food availability in Gaza is volatile, dependent on: 1. opening of border crossing for both humanitarian and commercial goods; 2. resumption of local production – The availability of fresh foods is highly dependent on the ability and timeliness of the agricultural sector to recover and is at relatively high risk of shortages or economic access difficulties (high prices of imported fresh food, if such imports are allowed at all).

A crucial factor influencing food security in the weeks/months to come is the resumption of the cash economy and employment. Unless it recovers quickly, income and consumption poverty will prevail among most Gazan households, who will continue to depend on food aid, cash assistance and emergency temporary job creation schemes.

Lack of Cash: there is a shortage of cash in the Gaza Strip. The monthly cash requirement is 400 million NIS (13 million NIS/day).

As of 1st March, the de facto Hamas Government started paying salaries to 20% of the total civil servants in Gaza.

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Gaza food security issues (4 March 2009) – FAO/WFP update

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Gaza food security issues (4 March 2009) – FAO/WFP update

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