Transcript briefing on life in Gaza see the website of UN Office of
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
oPt Humanitarian Overview: The Gaza Strip
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The Humanitarian Impact of Two years of Blockade and the Israeli offensive on Gaza HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
Gaza Strip – Profile
• • • • Population – 1.43 million (~1 million refugees) Crowded – 3,881 persons per sq km Young – 54% of the population under the age of 18 Poor – 80% poverty rate/79% aid dependant
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
Access to Gaza
21 Settlements ~9,000 Israeli settlers
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW Access and Movement Data
Erez Crossing Point Karni Crossing Point Rafah Crossing Point
February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
The Israeli Blockade on Gaza Since June 2007
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW
• • • • • • Air/sea movement banned All exports banned Import of most construction, raw materials & spare parts banned Imports restricted to food and hygiene; limited cash/fuel Medical referrals restricted Buffer zones
February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
The Impact of the Blockade
• • • • • 95% of private business closed More than 120,000 jobs lost Hospital functioning impeded Electricity reduced and intermittent Deterioration of water supply & sanitation services
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory Deterioration of water and sanitation services
• 10,000 people with no access to piped water • Repair and upgrade of treatment plants impeded • 80 million liters of untreated and partially treated sewage discharged into the environment daily • Increased health risks due to polluted sea water • Sewage infiltrates into the aquifer: only 5-10% of the extracted water is safe
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
The devastation of livelihoods
• 5,000 farmers and 10,000 agricultural laborers affected by export ban • Local market saturated with previously exported items • “Buffer Zone” expanded to 300 metres from the fence • Fishing zone reduce to 3 nautical miles
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
The Gaza War: 27 Dec 2008-18 Jan 2009
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW
• • • • • 1.4 million civilians unprotected: Massive military aerial and ground bombardment Densely populated – small area No safe space – no bomb shelters No alarm/warning system No place to flee – all borders sealed
February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
People affected during “Cast Lead” Offensive
• 1,383 Palestinians fatalities, including 350 children, identified by OCHA. • 5,303 Palestinian injuries (MoH) • Civilian fatalities disputed: 73-83% (Palestinian HR orgs); 25-39% (IDF)
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
Gaza War Damages:
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW Damage Assessment JRC, 28 Jan 2009
Public infrastructure
Agricultural land
Commerce/Industry
Residential buildings
UN property
Tunnels
All together February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
Inability to reconstruct homes
• • • • Ban on construction materials prevents reconstruction and repairs of homes “Cast Lead” housing impact: 3,500 destroyed 2,900 severely damaged 53,000 with minor damages 20,000 displaced people forced to live in alternative accommodation Pre- “Cast Lead” housing needs: 7,500 units
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
The continued Blockade: A protracted human dignity crisis
•
Further
Erosion of livelihoods •
Further
decline in the quality of all services • Continued denial of right to leave Gaza, move to WB • Limited capacity to address needs resulting of “Cast Lead” •
Increasing aid dependence HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory
The way forward
Ending the Blockade – GoI must: • Lift restrictions on all Gaza crossings • Allow free access to agricultural and fishing areas • Allow access for goods and people between Gaza and the West Bank
“Protection, food, water, healthcare, and shelter are basic
human needs, not bargaining chips.” (John Holmes)
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW February 2010