Gaza Crisis: situation as of 23 February 2009
- Since 27 December, WFP has distributed 3,600 mt of food commodities to an estimated 263,000 beneficiaries, including 40,000 school children, in 68 schools in Gaza.
- In addition, WFP is increasing the school feeding caseload to 50,000 school children in up to 89 schools. Distributions to the additional 10,000 school children will start today and should be completed by this week.
- Based on confirmed contributions, WFP remains only 23% funded. However, ongoing urgent distributions of commodities to beneficiaries are continuing using stocks borrowed from other operations and operational reserves. WFP appeals for US$82.3 million and still requires US$68.1 million.
Overview
Palestinians have experienced a dramatic decline in their living standards and a regression of the economy due to internal and external movement restrictions, limited control over natural resources, restricted access to local and international markets, limited access of Palestinian labourers to their former work in Israel and low rates of economic production.
The West Bank barrier construction is isolating thousands of people from their land, dividing communities and restricting access to essential services. The restriction on internal movements within the West Bank is contributing to the collapse of an already fragile economy and is threatening the population's food security.
In the Gaza Strip, the situation is the most critical. The food security of its 1.5 million people has been steadily deteriorating since Israeli sanctions in June 2007 including a suspension of all exports, a decrease of imports and tight restrictions on the type of goods permitted to enter through crossings — frequently closed by Israel on security grounds, citing Gaza-based militant attacks.
WFP Activities
Since 2002, WFP has been providing food assistance to oPt. Its current operation (2007-2009) provides food aid to around 700,000 of the most vulnerable non-refugee population in the West Bank and Gaza. WFP recently expanded the number of people it is helping in Gaza to 300,000 from about 250,000.
WFP also supports the Palestinian National Authority in reducing poverty through productive activities and skills development. Current WFP activities:
- Food Assistance to destitute families WFP is working with the Ministry of Social Affairs to cover the food needs of female-headed households, orphans, chronically ill, disabled and the elderly.
- Food-for-Work / Food For Training focuses on job creation, vocational training and livelihood support for poor farmers, unemployed workers and vulnerable women. These programmes will start in the coming months.
- Food For Education in the most food-insecure areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to encourage school attendance by providing snacks to pre-school and primary schoolchildren.
Document Sources: World Food Programme (WFP)
Subject: Assistance, Food, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief
Publication Date: 23/02/2009