OCHA Power Point on Gaza - January 2011

8/2/2019 OCHA Power Point on Gaza - January 2011

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UNITED NATIONS

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

occupied Palestinian territory

The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockadeand the Cast Lead Israeli offensive on Gaza

HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011


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Gaza Strip Profile

Population 1.43 million (~1 million refugees,

~70%)


row e 3,881 persons per sq km

Young

54% of the population underthe age of 18

Poor

80% aid dependant


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Up to August 2005

Since September 2005

Access to Gaza

Since June 2007

ErezCrossing Point

Nahal OzCrossing Point

KarniCrossing Point

Despite the

disengagement Israel

maintained direct control

over:

21 Settlements

9,000 Israeli settlersIsrael imposes acomprehensive blockade


SufaCrossing Point

Kerem ShalomCrossing Point

RafahCrossing Point

All land crossings, except

Rafah (indirect)

Air space

Territorial watersTaxation over imported

goods

Population registry


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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 militaryoffensives.

March 2007: National Unity Government

June 2007: Hamas takeover of Gaza

Israeli Blockade on Gaza


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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


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Damage AssessmentJRC, 28 Jan 2009

Gaza War Damages:


u c n ras ruc ure

Agricultural land

Commerce/Industry

UN property

Tunnels

All together

Residential buildings


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People affected during Cast Lead Offensive

1,383 Palestinians fatalities, including 350children, identified by OCHA.


, a est n an n ur es o

Civilian fatalities disputed: 73-83% (Palestinian

HR orgs); 25-39% (IDF)

People killed in internal clashes


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The Israeli Blockade on Gaza since June 2007

Import of most construction,raw materials & spare parts

banned


Import of consumer goodsand fuel restricted

Movement of people largely

banned Access to agricultural land

and fishing areas increasingly

limited Buffer Zones


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Impact of Blockade: Livelihoods devastated 120,000 private sector jobs

lost in first two years

268 establishments destroyed


ur ng as ea 70% of industrial

establishments closed (Jan

2010)

Over 40% unemployment(2010)


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Land Restricted Areas

No-Go Zone: zero to

500 meters

Hi h Risk Zone: 500


to 1000/1500 meters

17% of the Gaza Strip

35% of Gazas

agricultural land


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Land leveling - Beit Hanoun agricultural area



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Sea Restricted Areas

Access to sea areas along

the coast gradually


Since early 2009 - 85% of

coastal areas off limits


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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 tolow cost and high carbohydrate foods

Concerns over mineral and vitamin deficiencies

Some 80% receives humanitarian assistance, mainly

food.


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Protracted Energy Crisis

Power supply constantly about 30% below demand

Power plant operates at a 30% -60% of its capacity


Scheduled cuts between 4- and 8-12 hrs/day (up to 1 hrs/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


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A Challenged Health System

Impossible to ensure medical equipmentavailability and proper maintenance


e erra a roa su ec o ong an ar uouspermit processing

Medical staff largely prevented from

sufficient upgrading of knowledge and skills


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Deterioration of water and sanitation services

Only 5-10% of the extracted water is safe;

Very limited / intermittent running water


Over 40% water loss due to leakages

Between 50 and 80 million liters of untreated or

partially treated sewage discharged into theenvironment daily

Increased health risks due to polluted water


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The blockade easings as declared:

From a list of permitted items to a list of bannedand grey (dual usage) items

Construction materials enter for International


Extension of crossing hours per demand/needChanges 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


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Truckloads entering through Gaza crossings :


*Food and hygiene items make more than 50% of weekly

imports; before May 2007 made only 20%

*


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Housing needs unmet

The ban on construction materials preventsaddressing the growing housing needs


ast ea case oa : , un ts Natural growth (2007-2010): 68,400 units

Over 600,000 truckloads required


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Limited capacity to address construction needs resultingof Israeli military offensive and natural growth

The continued Blockade:A protracted human dignity crisis


r v u r

Furtherdecline in the quality of services

Denial of right to leave Gaza, move to WB

Increasing aid dependence


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The way forward

Lift the Blockade:

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

Economic recovery

Decreased aid dependence

OCHA Power Point on Gaza - January 2011

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Transcript of OCHA Power Point on Gaza - January 2011