gaza humanitarian overview june 2010

UNITED NATIONSOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

occupied Palestinian territory

HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW June 2010

Gaza Humanitarian Overview June 2010




The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the Israeli offensive on

Gaza




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




The Gaza Strip: August 200521 Settlements ~9,000 Israeli settlers

The Gaza Strip 2007

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The Gaza Strip 2010

ErezCrossing Point

Nahal OzCrossing Point

KarniCrossing Point

SufaCrossing Point

Kerem ShalomCrossing Point

RafahCrossing Point

SufaCrossing Point

Kerem ShalomCrossing Point

RafahCrossing Point

ErezCrossing Point

Nahal OzCrossing Point

KarniCrossing Point




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




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




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




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




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




Damage AssessmentJRC, 28 Jan 2009

Public infrastructure Agricultural land Commerce/Industry

UN property

Tunnels

All together

Residential buildings

Gaza War Damages:




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




• 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

The continued Blockade: A protracted human dignity crisis




• 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

The blockade “easings” declared by GOI, June 20




The way forwardLift 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 BankEconomic Recovery

Decreased Aid Dependence

gaza humanitarian overview june 2010

Documents