World Food Programme Emergency Report 2006 – WFP report no. 37 (excerpts)

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World Food Programme Emergency Report 2006

Issued Weekly by the United Nations World Food Programme

Report No. 37 / 2006 – Date 15 September 2006

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(B) Middle East,Central Asia and Eastern Europe:

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(2) occupied Palestinian territories

(a) During the reporting period (1-14 September), internal violence and hostilities continue to affect daily field operations in Gaza. Access of WFP staff to the southern area was difficult and two field trips to Khan Younis had to be cancelled for security reasons. The security procedures to exit Gaza in UN vehicles continue to conflict with UN regulations – as a result access of international staff is difficult and access for national staff is impossible for the time being. In the West Bank, there have been reports of a further rise in the severity of procedures affecting UN national staff and cooperating partners at checkpoints.

(b) The reporting period corresponds to the beginning of the second year of the protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO). Under the new phase of the PRRO, 597,000 people will be assisted throughout the West Bank (WB) and Gaza Strip. According to the actual figures finalised by the field: 56% of the caseload will be in the West Bank and 44% in the Gaza Strip. A meeting was held with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MSA) Coordinator to discuss all preparation and pending issues for implementing the second phase of the PRRO.

(c) Food for work (FFW) & food for training (FFT): During the reporting period, Community Habitat Finance (CHF), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) continued to work on the preparation of the new phase of this project, which will now assist a total of 216,000 new poor in the West Bank.

(d) General food distribution: A two month extension to the letter of understanding with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MSA) covering assistance to the social hardship cases (SHCs) was signed to allow for the continuation of distributions. During the reporting period, a total of 520 tons of mixed commodities were delivered to seven MSA warehouses in the WB. In addition, MSA distributed 60 tons of mixed commodities to 2,000 beneficiaries in Salfeet governorate, which is below the usual distribution rate due to strikes by some MSA employees.

(e) Institutional feeding: Preparations for the resumption of institutional feeding following the summer break are underway. New operational modalities are being established for the 110 institutions supported by WFP in the WB including orphanages, hospices, hospitals, etc. Twelve institutions belonging to the MSA will now be assisted through this Ministry, while WFP will directly manage the rest of the institutions.

(f) WFP has managed to deliver food to Gaza over the past two weeks through the dual use of Karni and Sufa crossings thanks to continuous dialogue with Palestinian and Israeli authorities. The maintenance of this humanitarian corridor is imperative for the continuation of the WFP operation.

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