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ICRC OFFICES IN MIDDLE EAST:
+ Syria
+ Lebanon
+ Jordan
+ Egypt
+ IL/OT
FOLLOW US:
ICRC
WEBSITE:
www.icrc.org
CONTACT US:
+ T. 02-5917900
+ F. 02-5917920
+ jer_jerusalem@icrc.org
WEBSITES:
+ Magem David Adom
Israel
+ Palestine Red
Crescent Society
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GAZA: HARDSHIP CONTINUES
© ICRC // Iyad El baba
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Children playing in front of houses destroyed during the Israeli military operation in Gaza in 2008-2009 - Buildings that have been in need of repair for several years cannot be repaired or re-built as imports on construction materials remain largely banned.
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The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated places on earth with one of the world's fastest growing populations. Today, fifty per cent of its 1.5 million residents are under 18. Unfortunately, these youngsters lack the perspective of a dignified life or future. The economic hardship is exacerbated by the loss of economic sectors that represented a significant source of income such as textile and agriculture. The unemployment rate currently stands at nearly 40 per cent and will remain high due to the limited economic recovery. Due to the restrictions on imports - especially building materials - the health and sanitation infrastructures are seriously affected. The limitations and the almost absolute ban on exports imposed by Israel make economic recovery impossible.
The easing of the closure in June 2010 has had little impact on the daily lives of the residents in Gaza who continue to face many challenges as a result of the collapse of previously prosperous branches of the economy. Increased poverty adds to the lack of freedom of movement for Gazans. More imports and particularly export are needed to help improve the current situation. Israel retains effective control over the Gaza strip, in particular the movement of persons and goods. It has the responsibility to allow the civilian population to lead as normal a life as possible.
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Fishing boats lay empty on the Gaza seashore. Fishermen have lost most of their livelihood as a result of increasing restrictions of access to sea, which has been set by Israel at 3 nautical miles off the shore of the Strip. Most of the fishing industry in the Strip is suspended.
© ICRC // Iyad El baba
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Palestinian farmer Fawzi Al-Najjar looks at the Israeli fence in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Access to land suitable for agriculture is affected by restrictions imposed along the fence with Israel in addition to the levelling of land and destruction of trees by the IDF.
© ICRC // Iyad El baba
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Empty shelves at the Ministry of health central drug store in Shifa hospital. The health sector in Gaza is constantly affected by a shortage of drugs and disposables. In 2011, Gaza's health services faced their worst crisis of drugs and disposables. The lack of a systematic reliable pipeline of drugs and disposables to Gaza impacts directly on the care provided to patients.
© ICRC // Iyad El baba
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+ ISRAEL: MAGEN DAVID ADOM WORKING AT FULL CAPACITY TO SERVE THE POPULATION
Magen David Adom (MDA), as the national provider of emergency medical services in Israel, MDA alleviates the suffering of the population whether during armed conflict or as a result of natural disasters.
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+ GAZA & WEST BANK: PALESTINE RED CRESCENT SOCIETY (PRCS): STEPPING UP ITS HUMANITARIAN CAPACITY.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is a major provider of health and social services in the West Bank and in Gaza Strip, which include pre-hospital emergency care and psychosocial activities, ensuring proper health care for the injured and the sick.
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