* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Geneva April 25, 2016
1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
The plight of Palestinians continues, the combination of the three recent wars in the last 6 years, insecurity, political instability, political divisions, tight blockade, economic hardships and increasing poverty in the Gaza Strip continues to have a negative impact on the health, wellbeing and economic situation of Palestinians. The blockade policy enforced in 2007 has greatly impeded economic development in the Gaza Strip. The fragile humanitarian situation prevailing in the Gaza Strip following the summer 2014 war on Gaza in which more than 13,000 people were killed and/or injured deteriorated further since the end of the war. A key driver of deterioration is the slow progress in the reconstruction of homes, infrastructure and assets destroyed during the hostilities, compounded by limited available resources and efforts to restore the destroyed livelihood opportunities, as well as the devastating impact of the exposure to conflict-related violence in Gaza on the psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents and families.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
The ACT response is critically important as existing national systems are overwhelmed and unable to respond rapidly to the population's daily increasing needs due to almost 9 years of the on-going blockade. The majority of Gaza Strip residents face problems accessing basic services. This is most noticeable at the level of two key service provision sectors, that of Health and WASH. The Ministry of Health has cut short primary healthcare and cancelled non-urgent surgeries to cope with a severe shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies. The protracted conflict has triggered acute levels of psychosocial distress, especially among children and adolescents which also affects the nutritional status of these vulnerable categories. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has repeatedly described the situation as a chronic emergency and a protracted human dignity crisis.
The Gaza Strip has been equally affected by damages and/or interruptions to supply of water services, sanitation and water storage. The unemployment rate is among the highest in the world at 43% (UNRWA, 2014). The same source of UNRWA stated that youth unemployment is more alarming, scoring to over 60% by the end of 2014. The provision of basic healthcare services - making medicine, food and fuel available to people - would definitely contribute to easing the crisis in coordination with other key stakeholders.
In the West Bank, according to a recent food security survey conducted by the Food Security Cluster, the unemployment rate reached 15.4%, up to 16% of households who are considered food insecure. Livelihoods are undermined by restrictions to access to natural resources, services, stable and efficient markets. Access restrictions to land, water and commerce, as a direct consequences of occupation, have led to lack of economic access to food, unemployment, particularly for vulnerable communities in Area C. Displacement and protection are the main issues facing the population in Area C, affecting the Palestinians living in East Jerusalem. Lack of intervention could lead to a complete interruption of the whole system and further deterioration of the current humanitarian situation.
3. National and international response
More than 70% of the population now depend on various forms of aid from international/national organizations. The ACT Palestinian Forum (APF) will coordinate its efforts to respond to the growing needs, mainly in the Gaza Strip and support those under constant threat of displacement and food insecurity in the West Bank.
4. ACT Alliance Response
The APF (IOCC, MECC/DSPR, and NCA) is meeting regularly to build a coordinated response with all members and their local partners. This Alert was developed based on a coordinated effort between the different APF members and after consultation with their local partners.
5. Planned activities
The APF, through its members, are planning to support the neediest people in health, education, shelter, food security and water. All the APF response will be coordinated and supported by the APF Coordinator and partners.
List of proposed interventions and activities:
- Support to CFTA and PARC in Gaza through Christian Aid (Agriculture/Food Security, and Psychosocial).
- DSPR/MECC support to Gaza and West Bank (access to Primary health care, cash grants, educational opportunities, Psychosocial support). In the West Bank Area C (fodder for livestock, water support and Plastic Houses).
- IOCC support to Gaza (Livelihood/Food Security and Agriculture support, Psychosocial Support, and health and nutrition.
- DSPR /MECC APF coordination.
6. Constraints
Constraints include: closure of crossings, unavailability of supplies in the local market, lack of fuel, lack of medicine and medical supplies.
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Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to the Head of Finance and Administration, Line Hempel (Line.Hempel@actalliance.org).
For further information please contact:
ACT Regional Representative, Gorden Simango (gsi@actalliance.org)
ACT Regional Program Officer, Felomain Nassar (Felomain.nassar@actalliance.org)
ACT Web Site address: http://www.actalliance.org
