the humanitarian impact of the blockade and the ‘cast lead’ israeli offensive on gaza
DESCRIPTION
The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the ‘Cast Lead’ Israeli offensive on Gaza. Gaza Strip – Profile. Population 1.43 million (~1 million refugees, ~70%) Crowded 3,881 persons per sq km Young 54% of the population under the age of 18 Poor 80% aid dependant. Access to Gaza. Erez - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the ‘Cast Lead’ Israeli offensive on Gaza
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Gaza Strip – Profile
• Population– 1.43 million (~1 million
refugees, ~70%)
• Crowded– 3,881 persons per sq km
• Young– 54% of the population under
the age of 18
• Poor– 80% aid dependant
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Up to August 2005Since September 2005
Access to Gaza3
naut
ical
mile
s (h
oriz
on)
Effect
ive
sinc
e Ja
nuar
y 20
09
6 na
utic
al m
iles
(hor
izon
)
Effect
ive
sinc
e Apr
il 20
06
Since June 2007
ErezCrossing Point
Nahal OzCrossing Point
KarniCrossing Point
SufaCrossing Point
Kerem ShalomCrossing Point
RafahCrossing Point
Despite the ‘disengagement’ Israel maintained direct control over:•All land crossings, except Rafah (indirect)•Air space•Territorial waters•Taxation over imported goods•Population registry
• 21 Settlements • 9,000 Israeli settlers
Israel imposes a comprehensive blockade
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Gaza 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
• 2006: Qassams, Shalit, IDF “Summer Rains”, “Hot Winter” military offensives.
• March 2007: National Unity Government
• June 2007: Hamas takeover of Gaza• Israeli Blockade on Gaza
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
The Gaza War: 27 Dec 2008-18 Jan 2009
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
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Damage AssessmentJRC, 28 Jan 2009
Public infrastructure
Agricultural land
Commerce/Industry
UN property
Tunnels
All together
Residential buildings
Gaza War Damages:
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
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
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
The Israeli Blockade on Gaza since June 2007
• Import of most construction, raw materials & spare parts banned
• Import of consumer goods and fuel restricted
• Movement of people largely banned
• Access to agricultural land and fishing areas increasingly limited – Buffer Zones
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Impact of Blockade: Livelihoods devastated
• 120,000 private sector jobs lost in first two years
• 268 establishments destroyed during “Cast Lead”
• 70% of industrial establishments closed (Jan 2010)
• Over 40% unemployment (2010)
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Land Restricted Areas
• ‘No-Go’ Zone: zero to 500 meters
• ‘High Risk’ Zone: 500 to 1000/1500 meters
• 17% of the Gaza Strip
• 35% of Gaza’s agricultural land
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Land leveling - Beit Hanoun agricultural area
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Sea Restricted Areas
•Access to sea areas along the coast gradually restricted
•Since early 2009 - 85% of coastal areas off limits
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Poverty and Food Insecurity
• UNRWA: “Abject poverty" among refugees tripled since the the blockade from 100,000 to 300,000
• 61% of households food insecure
• Shift in diet from high cost and protein rich food to low cost and high carbohydrate foods
• Concerns over mineral and vitamin deficiencies• Some 80% receives humanitarian assistance,
mainly food.
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Protracted Energy Crisis
• Power supply constantly about 30% below demand
• Power plant operates at a 30% -60% of its capacity
• Scheduled cuts between 4-6 and 8-12 hrs/day (up to 16hrs/day)
• Households left with partial food refrigeration
• Services and utilities forced to rely on generators and UPS (Uninterruptable power supply)units vulnerable due to inconsistent supply of spare parts
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
A Challenged Health System
• Impossible to ensure medical equipment availability and proper maintenance
• Referral abroad subject to long and arduous permit processing
• Medical staff largely prevented from sufficient upgrading of knowledge and skills
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Deterioration of water and sanitation services• Only 5-10% of the extracted water is safe;
• Very limited / intermittent running water
• Sea water and sewage infiltrate into aquifer
• Over 40% water loss due to leakages
• Between 50 and 80 million liters of untreated or partially treated sewage discharged into the environment daily
Increased health risks due to polluted water
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
The blockade “easings” as declared:
• From a list of permitted items to a list of banned and “grey” (“dual usage”) items
• Construction materials enter for International Community projects only pending on approval
• Extension of crossing hours per demand/need
Changes on the ground: • Increase in import of consumer goods• Some easing on import of raw materials • Minor easing on exports • No easing on movement of people
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Truckloads entering through Gaza crossings :
*Food and hygiene items make more than 50% of weekly imports; before May 2007 made only 20%
*
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
Housing needs unmet
The ban on construction materials prevents addressing the growing housing needs
• “Cast Lead” caseload: 6,300 units
• Natural growth (2007-2010): 68,400 units
• Over 600,000 truckloads required
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
• Limited capacity to address construction
needs resulting of Israeli military offensive and
natural growth
• Further Erosion of livelihoods – “Buffer Zone”
• Further decline in the quality of services
• Denial of right to leave Gaza, move to WB
• Increasing aid dependence
The continued Blockade: A protracted human dignity crisis
UNITED NATIONS
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
occupied Palestinian territory
HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011
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 Bank
Economic recovery Decreased aid dependence