Occupied Palestinian Territories - Humanitarian Update, April 2008

Summary of monthly Humanitarian Monitor report produced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW

Gaza
(a) Violence - During April, 70 people were killed in the Gaza Strip in direct conflict-related incidents, 21 of whom were children. The largest single-incident casualty toll took place during the IDF ground operation in Juhor ad Dik area northeast of Al Bureij Camp on 16 April, during which seven children (aged 12, 13, 14(2), 15(3) years) were killed by IAF missiles, and 12 others were injured, two of whom died of their wounds on 20 April.

(b) Fuel shortages - During April, fuel supply (including benzene, diesel and industrial gasoline) allowed by Israel to Gaza was further reduced to 7.8 million litres, while the monthly average between October 2007 and March 2008 was 14.6 million litres. Furthermore, a shortage in cooking gas has seen only 2.2 million kg of cooking gas enter Gaza during April, whereas its monthly need is 7.5 million kg.

(c) Gaza crossings - Of the 1,991 truckloads allowed into Gaza in April (compared to 3,399 truckloads in March, and 12,378 truckloads one year earlier in April 2007), 259 trucks delivered humanitarian aid goods. The vast majority of imported commodities in April remained limited to food, hygiene and medical supplies, with a 34% decrease in the total amount of imported basic food commodities compared to March 2008. No exports have been allowed since December 2007.

(d) Availability of medical drugs in the Gaza Strip (WHO) - During April, the number of drug items at zero level dropped to 23 drug items of 416 essential items on the drug list in April, compared with 55 items in March 2008.

(e) Access of Palestinian patients through Erez (WHO) - During April, 1,077 patients from Gaza applied for permits to cross Erez for treatment in specialized health services in the West Bank (including E. Jerusalem), Israel, Egypt and Jordan. Of the total number, 709 patients (65.8%) were granted permits, whilst 54 (5.0%) had their applications denied and 314 (29.2%) were still being processed.

(f) Availability and prices of basic commodities - All basic food commodities were available in the market during April despite localised shortages of fresh meat, frozen meat and frozen fish. The price of rice increased by 11% compared to March 2008 due to reduced imported quantities from Egypt.

Increase in child casualties
During April, a total of 24 Palestinian children were killed in direct conflict related incidents in the oPt. This brings to 76 the total number of Palestinian children killed in 2008, constituting 81% of all children killed during the entire year of 2007. In the West Bank, two 15-year-old boys were killed; one was run over by an Israeli settler bus near Salim village (Nablus), and the other was found dead near Hamra settlement (Nablus). It remains unknown whether he was killed by an Israeli settler or a Palestinian. In addition, one boy was killed in an explosion in a house in Jabaliya (North Gaza) when a household member was preparing an explosive device.

Humanitarian access more difficult
Access for humanitarian staff was reported to be more difficult in April than in previous months. New additional Israeli restrictions at crossings and checkpoints into East Jerusalem and across the Barrier, including searches of UN cars, resulted in 179 reported access incidents with UN staff resulting in a loss of 3,228 work-hours during April. Access for humanitarian goods in most areas continued. However, in certain cases, needing detours because of roadblocks and closures.

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

West Bank & East Jerusalem

Water shortages in Bethlehem - During April, Bethlehem governorate witnessed a water shortage due to a reduction in the supply of water by the Mekorot Israeli Water Company, as usual during this period of the year. This was compounded by the increase in water demand by households and poor infrastructure of wells administered by the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA). According to the Water Supply and Sewage Authority in Bethlehem, pumps at the PWA Al Mattalah reservoir of Bethlehem are in urgent need of replacement at a cost of US$100,000, currently unavailable. This is affecting 22,000 residents of Al Duheisha Camp, Ad Doha, Al Khadr and parts of Beit Jala. Mekorot supplies water to the governorate through three connections. One connection (Al-Walajah) only supplied half the normal amount, affecting water supply to 16,000 residents in Beit Jala. Another connection (Herodeon) provided 40% of the usual amount of water, affecting 7,200 people living in several eastern communities of Bethlehem governorate. No change was recorded regarding supply from the other connection (Ish Al Ghurab). These reductions led to a decrease in the water pressure, which prevented the water from reaching those houses located in high altitude areas.

Continuing raids and confiscation of property in Hebron - On 30 April, the IDF raided the Hebron Girl's Orphanage in Hebron city. Material amounting to approximately US$45,000 USD was confiscated from the sewing workshop in the orphanage, including all sewing machines office equipment rolls of fabric and others. The equipment was later found in the Hebron garbage dump. Following confiscation orders against institutions associated with the Islamic Charitable Society, institutions were either closed or threatened with closure. Approximately, 3,000 people depending on the services provided by the charity are already affected by the closure of some institutions. Talks were held during April between the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Israeli authorities to prevent the transfer of ownership over these institutions to the IDF. The case has also been taken to the Israeli High Court of Justice. The confiscation of the properties of the charity is likely to result in the eviction and displacement of 240 orphans and around 30 families living on the premises of the charity. Already one of the 30 families living in the building owned by the charity has already left out of fear.

Gaza Strip

Update on fishing - The total catch of sardines in April, which is the high season, was only 75 MT (Metric Tonnes), 74% less than the catch during April last year. This decline was mainly due to the shortage of fuel in the Gaza Strip, the continuing restriction on access of fishermen to the sea and the increased pollution from sewage dumping. While sardine catch takes place mainly beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast, the Israeli authorities allowed fishermen to venture out only up to six nautical miles from the coast. The current situation threatens the livelihood of 3,000 fishermen and severely reduces the availability of affordable animal protein in the Gaza Strip.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

© Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 19-Dec-2008 13:09:15 EST
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