Transcript Slide 1
UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory Gaza Humanitarian Overview June 2010 HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the Israeli offensive on Gaza HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 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 June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Erez Erez Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Crossing Point Point Crossing occupied Palestinian territory Access to Gaza The Gaza Strip Strip:2010 2007 August 2005 21 Settlements ~9,000 Israeli settlers Nahal Nahal Oz Oz Crossing Crossing Point Point Karni Karni Crossing Point Point Crossing Rafah Rafah Crossing Point Point Crossing Sufa Sufa CrossingPoint Point Crossing Kerem Shalom Crossing Point HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory Gaza background: 2005-2007 • August-Nov. 2005: Removal of settlements, IDF, AMA • January 2006: Hamas wins PLC elections • March 2006: Hamas sets up government in oPt; – International sanctions imposed on PA – Reduced/intermittent access – Strikes and weakened public services • Summer 2006: Qassams, Shalit, IDF “Summer Rains” • March 2007: National Unity Government • June 2007: Hamas takeover of Gaza HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The Israeli Blockade on Gaza Since June 2007 • Air/sea movement banned • Import of most construction, raw materials & spare parts banned • All exports banned • Imports restricted to food and hygiene; limited cash/fuel • Medical referrals restricted • Buffer zones HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The Impact of the Blockade • 70% of industrial estab. closed by end of 2007 • About 100,000 jobs lost by end of 2008 • Hospital functioning impeded • Electricity reduced and intermittent • Deterioration of water supply & sanitation services HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The Gaza War: 27 Dec 2008-18 Jan 2009 1.43 million civilians unprotected: • Massive military aerial and ground bombardment • Densely populated – small area • No alarm/warning system • No safe space / bomb shelters • No place to flee: borders sealed HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 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) • People killed in internal clashes HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory Gaza War Damages: Damage Assessment JRC, 28 Jan 2009 Public infrastructure Agricultural land Commerce/Industry Residential buildings UN property Tunnels All together HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory Since last Israeli military offensive: Imports 20% compared to before June 2007 85% Food & Hygiene, up from 17% 70% of industrial establishments closed Agriculture & Fishing undermined Abject poverty up threefold: from100,000 to 300,000 among refugees • 40% unemployment, 61% food insecure • Shelter and Classroom/School shortage • Deteriorating Electricity crisis: power cuts between 6-12 hours/day • • • • • 80% aid dependent HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The continued Blockade: A protracted human dignity crisis • Limited capacity to address needs resulting of Israeli military offensive “Cast Lead” • Further Erosion of livelihoods – “Buffer Zone” • Further decline in the quality of all services • Denial of right to leave Gaza, move to WB • Increasing aid dependence HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The blockade “easings” declared by GOI, June 20 • From a list of permitted items to a list of banned items • Construction materials for International Community and Palestinian Authority projects • Extension of crossing working ours • No easing on movement of people • No easing on import of raw materials • No easing on exports HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010 UNITED NATIONS Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs occupied Palestinian territory The way forward Lift the Blockade: • Lift restrictions on all Gaza crossings • Allow import of raw materials and exports • Allow free access to agricultural and fishing areas • Allow access for goods and people between Gaza and the West Bank Economic Recovery Decreased Aid Dependence HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010