Gaza humanitarian assistance - IASC Logistics Cluster - Situation report 18-24 April 2009)

GAZA CRISIS CONSOLIDATED

SITUATION REPORT, 18-24 APRIL 2009

CONTENTS

1. MAIN ISSUES

2. LOGISTICS COORDINATION

3. UPDATE ON COGAT

4. PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVING DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO GAZA

1. MAIN ISSUES

Israeli Authorities have maintained the restriction on delivery of construction material to the Gaza Strip. A shipment of Mercy Corps construction materials essential for the implementation of shelter projects has been rejected for delivery by COGAT. The prohibition of this cargo limits the implementation of the humanitarian and reconstruction programme in the Gaza Strip and will significantly impact the disbursement of donor funding for the recovery phase.

2. LOGISTICS COORDINATION

Jerusalem–Gaza Logistics Cluster: Since 25 January the Logistics Cluster has delivered 5996 pallets of cargo to the Gaza Strip through Kerem Shalom crossing, on behalf of 28 cluster members:

Cargo moved into Gaza by the Logistics Cluster Transport Service 25 Jan – 23 April
Sector	Number of pallets
SHELTER	2870
FOOD	2022
EDUCATION	491
HEALTH	366
WASH	245
NUTRITION	1
SUPPORT EQUIPMENT	1
TOTAL	5996

3. UPDATE ON COGAT

According to the COGAT reports on Merchandise Traffic and Humanitarian Aid (08 – 22 April) 92.5% of cargo permitted to cross through Kerem Shalom was comprised of shipments of food and hygiene items. This does not reflect the current need for rehabilitation of infrastructure and livelihoods in the Gaza Strip.

Only 1.5% of cargo which crossed through Kerem Shalom during this period was for agricultural input. The shipment of FAO fruit and olive trees, delayed since 04 March has had to be distributed to other locations outside Gaza after the delay caused the trees to become damaged from prolonged time in the nursery.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Kerem Shalom crossing is designated for 'food, hygiene products, tools and raw materials for essential infrastructures, medicines and medical equipment, and a myriad of other items – ranging from school books to wheelchairs, needed by the civilian population' [reference 'Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF operation 29 March]

The Logistics Cluster continues to request clearance of the following items currently listed in the document 'Clearance Status of Humanitarian Cargo¹:

Further details on the clearance status of these items is available at the following link:

4. PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO GAZA STRIP BENCHMARKS FOR MONITORING ACCESS

The humanitarian community continues to request improvements in access for humanitarian cargo to Gaza, based on the following benchmarks:

BENCHMARK 1. Procedures for transfer of humanitarian cargo to Gaza are clearly defined and adhered to by authorities and at border crossings

INDICATORS

Written procedures for gaining clearance for transportation of humanitarian/ reconstruction items are issued by COGAT
The 22 March Cabinet decision on lifting of restrictions on food items is enacted into legislation and implemented
The procedures are in accordance with International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law

BENCHMARK 2. Humanitarian agencies are able to deliver cargo necessary for the implementation of the Flash Appeal / CAP

INDICATORS

Decrease in the time frame for clearance and delivery of cargo for the implementation of the FA / CAP
Increase in proportion of recovery / reconstruction material (early recovery; shelter; agriculture; WASH;) in cargo crossing through Kerem Shalom

BENCHMARK 3. Karni, Kerem Shalom, Sufa and Rafah crossings are used to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian cargo to their maximum capacity

INDICATORS

Rafah crossing is open daily for humanitarian cargo in addition to transfer of medical goods and personnel
Lighting is installed at the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom crossing
Construction and use of an additional staging area at the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing
Containers are permitted for use at Karni and Kerem Shalom crossings
A system for double-stacking of pallets is implemented at crossings

Gaza humanitarian assistance – IASC Logistics Cluster – Situation report 18-24 April 2009)