Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA)
Situation Report on the Humanitarian Situation in the Gaza Strip – No. 16
22-23 January 2009
The following information is based on
reports from member states, the UN Country Team for the occupied
Palestinian territory, humanitarian partners and authorities involved
in the humanitarian response.
1. General Overview
1. The ceasefire in Gaza continues to
hold, though four Palestinians were injured on 22 January by a shell
fired from off the Gaza coast. A child was also injured on 22 January
due to gunfire east of Gaza City.
2. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator
(ERC) and the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process
visited Gaza on 22 January, launching an assessment process of the
humanitarian needs in Gaza. Describing the scene at several sites, the
ERC informed that he, “saw a lot of shocking destruction” and
underscored the heavy and multi-faceted impact that the conflict has
had on the civilian population. He further emphasised that, “it is
shocking that civilians suffered so disproportionately in this military
operation”.
3. The ongoing assessment will focus on
life-saving needs, including restoring basic social services, such as
water, health and education, as well as emergency repairs of critical
infrastructure. The assessment will be followed by the launch of the
Gaza Flash Appeal on 2 February in Geneva, to address urgent
humanitarian and early recovery needs.
4. The UN Secretary General briefed the
Security Council on his mission to the Middle East 21 January. He
highlighted that, “much more remains to be done on both the
humanitarian and diplomatic fronts,” underscoring that, “for many in
Gaza this remains an hour of despair, grief and desperate need”.
Members of the Security Council stressed the need for the unimpeded
provision and distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.
5. The international NGOs CARE and Save
the Children released a joint statement on 22 January highlighting
that, “they are prevented from scaling up their emergency response
because of restrictions on humanitarian access and movement of
international NGOs into Gaza.” Citing that the agencies have not been
allowed to send any staff and have been limited in sending aid into
Gaza, they called for, “immediate and unfettered access for
humanitarian aid and staff into Gaza to meet the critical and growing
needs of the population, more than half of whom are children.” During
his mission in the region, the ERC underscored the need to open all
border crossings so that aid and humanitarian staff can enter Gaza to
address urgent needs.
2.1 Coordination and Humanitarian Response
2.1. Protection
6. UNICEF is preparing a report on child
rights violations during the recent fighting in Gaza, as requested by
the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and
Armed Conflict.
7. In response to the serious risk posed
by Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO),
UNICEF is airing two new radio announcements on mine risk education and
will distribute a leaflet to raise awareness of the risks in Gaza. In
an effort to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian support, UN Mine
Action Service, Mine Action Group and Norwegian Peoples Aid began an
assessment of the scope and scale of the UXO problem in Gaza on 23
January.
8. On 23 January, Amnesty International
called on the Israeli authorities to disclose the weapons and munitions
used during the fighting in Gaza, citing that they, “now know that
white phosphorous munitions were used in built-up civilian areas”. It
was highlighted that this information is critical so that doctors can,
“be fully informed so that they can provide life-saving care”.
9. Casualty figures:
2.2. Gaza Border Crossings
10. The Coordinator of Government
Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported that cash will be
allowed into Gaza for UNRWA and the ICRC and that priority
consideration will be given for humanitarian items (including food,
medicine and non-food items – NFIs) to cross into Gaza.
2.3. Food
11. WFP reported that they now have
access to 100 percent of their existing stocks inside Gaza. Since 27
December WFP has reached over 193,500 beneficiaries with food
assistance from its regular caseload. An additional 154,000
Palestinians have been reached through emergency bread distributions
and with ready to eat foods. On 22 January, WFP began emergency
distributions of vitamin A-fortified date bars and high-energy biscuits
to thousands of displaced people in Gaza City. The distributions also
include ready-to-eat meals for hospitals and milk for children and are
part of providing a, “nutritious boost”, as food security is restored.
The agency is also scaling up its regular distributions of wheat flour,
vegetable oil, chick peas and sugar. WFP emphasized that all crossing
points into Gaza will need to be re-opened for the agency to be able to
move a required 600 tons of food every day into Gaza.
2.4. Health
12. Recognizing the constraints posed to
the provision of health assistance and care by the closure of borders
and limitations on the goods that can cross into Gaza, the Executive
Board of WHO called for Israel to, “lift its blockade and to open all
border crossings to allow access and free movement of humanitarian aid
to the occupied Gaza Strip, including the reinforcing of humanitarian
corridors to ensure the delivery of humanitarian medical and food aid
and to facilitate the passage of medical teams and the transfer of the
wounded and injured.”
13. WHO released a health risk
assessments and summary of required interventions for Gaza on 22
January. Priority health concerns included: immediate treatment of
traumatic injury, burns and acute surgical conciliations; mental
disorders and psychosocial problems related to the stress and loss
experienced during the fighting; continued treatment and care for
chronic conditions, which were the leading cause of death prior to 27
December; and communicable diseases, including the risk of diarrhoeal
disease outbreaks due to disruptions in water and sanitation services.
2.5. Essential Infrastructure
14. The ICRC reported that one fifth of
the population of Gaza remains without direct access to drinking water,
and depends on water purchased from private suppliers. Initial
assessments indicated that the damage to the water sector amount to a
total of USD 3.5 million, according to UNICEF.
15. Serious public health concerns
persist, related to damage to the waste water networks in Gaza, Beit
Hanoun, Jabalia and Beit Lahia. The Coast Municipalities Water Utility
has conducted emergency repairs, but supplies are urgently required for
further repairs. The ICRC is continuing to repair the Sheikh Ajleen
wastewater treatment plant, which had been out of order after it was
hit by a shell during the second week of fighting.
2.6. Shelter and Non-Food Items
16. Many households displaced during the
fighting are now homeless due to destruction and damaged caused to
their dwellings. UNRWA aims to close the existing emergency shelters as
soon as possible so that they can function as schools. Those families
who are unable to return to their homes, or cannot rely on the support
of host families, will be provided with a short-term rental housing
allowance by UNRWA. However, a longer term solution for those displaced
is urgently required.
17. The ICRC reported that they have
replaced windows and doors of approximately 600 houses in the southern
part of Gaza and at another 430 houses in Gaza City. On 19 and 20
January, the ICRC, CHF International and Mercy Corps distributed
plastic sheeting and tarpaulins to over 800 families. There are
continued needs for additional non-food items for those who remain
displaced, or for those who are repairing their homes.
2.7. Education
18. The Education Cluster was activated
in Gaza on 21 January. Repair of schools damaged during the fighting
poses a serious challenge to re-starting classes. All UNRWA schools are
scheduled to open on 24 January, accommodating approximately half of
the children who have been out of school since 27 December. The
curriculum for the first weeks of operations will focus on responding
to children’s psychosocial needs. The Ministry of Education also aims
to re-open schools on 24 January.
3.0 International Assistance and Priority needs
3.1. Funding
19. The Humanitarian Country Team has
re-visited projects proposed for the 2009 CAP (which appealed for over
USD 462 million) to ensure that the projects, activities and priorities
remain relevant to the ongoing emergency and increased the budget to
USD 529 million.
20. For a funding update see: http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/pageloader.aspx?page=emergemergencyDetails&
appealID=834. This information was compiled by OCHA, based on the
information provided by donors and appealing organisations. All
humanitarian partners including donors and recipient agencies are
encouraged to inform FTS of cash and in-kind contributions to:
fts@reliefweb.int.
3.2. Priority Needs
21. Access:
The sustained reopening of all crossings into Gaza is necessary to
ensure access. The list of goods allowed into Gaza must be expanded
greatly, and must include construction materials, which are necessary
for rebuilding critical infrastructure and homes. To deliver lifesaving
services, humanitarian workers require unimpeded access into Gaza,
including NGO staff.
22. Electricity & Fuel:
Hospitals require fuel to run generators on which they rely; water and
sanitation facilities require fuel to operate; and households and
bakeries require cooking gas.
23. Wheat grain: Wheat grain is urgently needed for local bakeries and for humanitarian food distributions.
24. This situation report, together with
further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the
OCHA Internet website at http://reliefweb.int. A copy of the Field Update from the Humanitarian Coordinator for the oPt can be found at:
http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_08_english.pdf
4.0 Contacts
I was wondering did anyone else catch #19 and it's chart on American money being sent for aid to both not just Israel as has been stated on here so manytimes.
This is US foreign aid to Israel http://opencrs.com/document/RL33222/
This is US foreign aid to Palestine http://opencrs.com/document/RS22967/
This is to compare apple to apples.
Now then a large amount of that money goes to UNRWA...well guess what UNRWA funds....the refugee camps that the families cannot even go visit...some of it goes to refugees trying to escape but note none of it goes to military but how much of our money goes to the Israeli military? So, Israel is far better armed and a nuclear power but Palestine has the right under international law to arm itself up to the level of Israel but how considering the disappropriation of money. Thus why I say we need to walk away.
Why am I seeing a report from almost a YEAR AGO? How is that CURRENT?
too bad c n p reports can't tell ya how to interpret what they got to say
"I'll fight for a person's right to speak so long as that person will, in return, fight to allow me to challenge their opinions and ridicule them as the content of their ideas merit."
Cowgirls, are you really serious???? How could you read this report and all you have to say about it is..... well, Palestine gets money too????
For Gods sake, wth is the matter with you???
First of all, that piddling amount Palestine gets, is chump change compared to what "israel" has looted from the US.... and the looting continues on an unprecedented scale. They are bleeding us dry and as far as I'm concerned, anyone who supports "israel" is supporting an enemy of my country. I consider "friends of "israel"" to be treasonous. There is no other word to describe it.
What say you about the substance of this report???? How about the obvious targeting of CHILDREN and civilians, attacked while totally defenseless, with WMD's and advanced weaponry, while having NOWHERE to run as white phosphorous rained down on INFANTS in this concentration camp?
IWEEP for the murder of these babies, that MY country facillitated. I tremble at the realization that there is a God and we must surely answer for this. I am terrified at what is going to happen to my country as a result of supporting and supplying the monsters that occupy Palestine.
Anyone who believes there is a God, should be very afraid cause God don't like ugly and the US is filled with unthinking idiots who wholeheartedly support the baby murdering synagogue of Satan.
It has become clear that they murdered JFK, RFK, Committed acts of terror against US citizens, on US soil, both in OKC and New York on 911. They have completely occupied the legislative, executive and judicial branches of our government. It is a coup d'etat and only the most blind, brainwashed, bleating, media lapping sheep, don't see it.
And Gypsyuma..... it really is current because the siege continues. "Cast Lead" has not ended. Actually, I'm glad she posted this because it so clearly shows the level of hypocrisy and the brain damage the zionist media inflicts on those still gullible enough to view it.
I have researched this in depth and you guys can sit here and give your 1 sided BS crap all you like but I for 1 will not stand back and just eat it like ice cream. Israel is no angel but who originally started this mess? Palestine did and with a little help from Egypt and Jordan. Everyone wants to wipe them off of the face of the planet and wonders why there trigger happy.Hell I would be to.It's funny how the Muslims try to twist the whole thing to work to there advantage especially not being able to get supplies well get your buddies in Egypt to open there border back up.For the Jews it's like Germany all over again everyone wants them gone.Hey I know you can run them all off into the sea like they did in the Spartan movie NOT! Sorry but this cowgirl checks out the facts I'm not a fish I don't take the bait nor do I follow the crowd.You can make out poor Palestine gets nothing but we both know better.By the way your buddies the Hamas have done a pretty good job of exterminating kids and women as well. In closing here is Nov. 24, 2009's contributions to Palestinians and it seems to me to be more than chump change$141,656,204.00.And as for the rest of your reply "Jog on"
http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/daily/ocha_R4_A834___0911240205.pdf
Quoting provincialfoot:Cowgirls, are you really serious???? How could you read this report and all you have to say about it is..... well, Palestine gets money too????
For Gods sake, wth is the matter with you???
First of all, that piddling amount Palestine gets, is chump change compared to what "israel" has looted from the US.... and the looting continues on an unprecedented scale. They are bleeding us dry and as far as I'm concerned, anyone who supports "israel" is supporting an enemy of my country. I consider "friends of "israel"" to be treasonous. There is no other word to describe it.
What say you about the substance of this report???? How about the obvious targeting of CHILDREN and civilians, attacked while totally defenseless, with WMD's and advanced weaponry, while having NOWHERE to run as white phosphorous rained down on INFANTS in this concentration camp?
IWEEP for the murder of these babies, that MY country facillitated. I tremble at the realization that there is a God and we must surely answer for this. I am terrified at what is going to happen to my country as a result of supporting and supplying the monsters that occupy Palestine.
Anyone who believes there is a God, should be very afraid cause God don't like ugly and the US is filled with unthinking idiots who wholeheartedly support the baby murdering synagogue of Satan.
It has become clear that they murdered JFK, RFK, Committed acts of terror against US citizens, on US soil, both in OKC and New York on 911. They have completely occupied the legislative, executive and judicial branches of our government. It is a coup d'etat and only the most blind, brainwashed, bleating, media lapping sheep, don't see it.
And Gypsyuma..... it really is current because the siege continues. "Cast Lead" has not ended. Actually, I'm glad she posted this because it so clearly shows the level of hypocrisy and the brain damage the zionist media inflicts on those still gullible enough to view it.
Quoting cowgirlsr2:
I have researched this in depth and you guys can sit here and give your 1 sided BS crap all you like but I for 1 will not stand back and just eat it like ice cream.
Girl it takes more than a couple of articles to research the Occupation in Palestine. You will be reading for at least a month. It's not that easy, this Occupation was well thought out and many people/groups are behind this.
Israel is no angel but who originally started this mess? Palestine did and with a little help from Egypt and Jordan.
Nice try in trying to make it sound like a simple mess. Who started this Zionist Movement....hmmm lets see:
1882-1903
1st wave of Zionists (25000 strong) enters Palestine as illegal immigrants from Eastern Europe.
1904-1914
2nd wave est 40,000 of Zionist illegal immigrants arrive in Palestine and increase the Jewish percentage to 6% of the total population. A whopping 6%!!!
1919- 1923
3rd wave of Zionist immigrants est 35,000 increasing their percentage to 12%, with land ownership at 3%.
1924-1928
4th wave of Zionist immigrants est 67,000 increasing their percentage to 16%, with land ownership to 4.2 %.
1929-1939
5thwave of Zionist immigrants est 250,000 increasing their percentage to 30%, with land ownership to 5.7 %.Yeah Egypt and Jordan have been a GREAT help? You obviously don't have the list of "who was bought out by the Zionists"
Everyone wants to wipe them off of the face of the planet and wonders why there trigger happy.
Source?? This ought to be good.
These EX IDF will tell you why they were trigger happy, they were told Shoot to Kill:
Hell I would be to.It's funny how the Muslims try to twist the whole thing to work to there advantage especially not being able to get supplies well get your buddies in Egypt to open there border back up.
Muslims huh. So you only hate the Palestinian Muslims, not the Palestinian Jewish or Christians? BTW the US paid Egypt to close their borders a long time ago.
For the Jews it's like Germany all over again everyone wants them gone.
Yeah right, the Palestinians are living through this current holocaustand the Zionists are putting them through it. If you even bothered to read my other thread you would see how many Muslims HELPED the Jews when no one else did. Gee Palestine opened their arms to the Holocaust survivors who the US turned away. YES we turned them away and Palestinians took them in. Then got screwed.
Hey I know you can run them all off into the sea like they did in the Spartan movie NOT!
Did you know that it was Sharon's dream that he would wake up one day to hear that Gaza just fell off into the sea? Did you not know about the Greater Israel?? Do you realize the Palestinians are not part of the Greater Israel? meaning death for them? Israel also wants to take part of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Now who wants who gone again?
Sorry but this cowgirl checks out the facts I'm not a fish I don't take the bait nor do I follow the crowd.You can make out poor Palestine gets nothing but we both know better.
It's obvious you know nothing, you have proved nothing and in order for you to show some sort of credibility you really need to start some serious research.
By the way your buddies the Hamas have done a pretty good job of exterminating kids and women as well.
Propaganda source?
In closing here is Nov. 24, 2009's contributions to Palestinians and it seems to me to be more than chump change$141,656,204.00.And as for the rest of your reply "Jog on"
http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/daily/ocha_R4_A834___091124020
Cowgirlsr2 do you even READ what you Post???? This is a list of countries from ALL OVER THE WORLD who gave aid to Palestine. Not even solely to the GAZA Crisis. The US alone, OUR AMERICAN TAX DOLLARS provide this:
The U.S. is providing Israel with at least $7.0 million each day* in military aid and is giving the Palestinians $0** in military aid during Fiscal Year 2009.
You can spin it anyway you like and still get the same answer. Come back and let us know when you have something CREDIBLE you would like to discuss.
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.
As far as I'm concerned, any friend of "israel" is a traitor to the USA.
Quoting cowgirlsr2:
I have researched this in depth and you guys can sit here and give your 1 sided BS crap all you like but I for 1 will not stand back and just eat it like ice cream. Israel is no angel but who originally started this mess? Palestine did and with a little help from Egypt and Jordan. Everyone wants to wipe them off of the face of the planet and wonders why there trigger happy.Hell I would be to.It's funny how the Muslims try to twist the whole thing to work to there advantage especially not being able to get supplies well get your buddies in Egypt to open there border back up.For the Jews it's like Germany all over again everyone wants them gone.Hey I know you can run them all off into the sea like they did in the Spartan movie NOT! Sorry but this cowgirl checks out the facts I'm not a fish I don't take the bait nor do I follow the crowd.You can make out poor Palestine gets nothing but we both know better.By the way your buddies the Hamas have done a pretty good job of exterminating kids and women as well. In closing here is Nov. 24, 2009's contributions to Palestinians and it seems to me to be more than chump change$141,656,204.00.And as for the rest of your reply "Jog on"
http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/daily/ocha_R4_A834___0911240205.pdf
Quoting provincialfoot:
Cowgirls, are you really serious???? How could you read this report and all you have to say about it is..... well, Palestine gets money too????
For Gods sake, wth is the matter with you???
First of all, that piddling amount Palestine gets, is chump change compared to what "israel" has looted from the US.... and the looting continues on an unprecedented scale. They are bleeding us dry and as far as I'm concerned, anyone who supports "israel" is supporting an enemy of my country. I consider "friends of "israel"" to be treasonous. There is no other word to describe it.
What say you about the substance of this report???? How about the obvious targeting of CHILDREN and civilians, attacked while totally defenseless, with WMD's and advanced weaponry, while having NOWHERE to run as white phosphorous rained down on INFANTS in this concentration camp?
IWEEP for the murder of these babies, that MY country facillitated. I tremble at the realization that there is a God and we must surely answer for this. I am terrified at what is going to happen to my country as a result of supporting and supplying the monsters that occupy Palestine.
Anyone who believes there is a God, should be very afraid cause God don't like ugly and the US is filled with unthinking idiots who wholeheartedly support the baby murdering synagogue of Satan.
It has become clear that they murdered JFK, RFK, Committed acts of terror against US citizens, on US soil, both in OKC and New York on 911. They have completely occupied the legislative, executive and judicial branches of our government. It is a coup d'etat and only the most blind, brainwashed, bleating, media lapping sheep, don't see it.
And Gypsyuma..... it really is current because the siege continues. "Cast Lead" has not ended. Actually, I'm glad she posted this because it so clearly shows the level of hypocrisy and the brain damage the zionist media inflicts on those still gullible enough to view it.
And that's all I have to say to anyone who mindlessly and stupidly advocates for the enemy that is detroying the USA.
Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9
i get what you are trying to do, but in this group, badmouthing Palestine will get you branded.. you are either a Zionist or a racist in their books.. you can't have a different opinion on this subject.. because apparently your info is wrong, because they said so.. theirs of course is correct. always. i've seen the maps, all the info, and i am still on the side of Israel..
Quoting 623Mexicana:
i get what you are trying to do, but in this group, badmouthing Palestine will get you branded.. you are either a Zionist or a racist in their books.. you can't have a different opinion on this subject.. because apparently your info is wrong, because they said so.. theirs of course is correct. always. i've seen the maps, all the info, and i am still on the side of Israel..
From what I've seen, those who support Israel show misinformation that is actually from biased sources and propaganda that's passed around as fact when it's anything but. I think deep down they are embarrassed that they've been made fools of and since they don't like to admit when they're wrong, they convince themselves they are right and continue to post their 'research' and 'facts' and if if anyone supporting Palestine rips their information apart, they pull down their pants and piss on it- dismissing it as Jew-hating and spouting a bunch of biblical trash they think supports their belief.
It takes WEEKS if not months of researching the conflict and history in Gaza to understand how it happened and what's going on now. Doing a 5 minute google on a pro-Israeli web site is not educting yourself on the facts, and telling yourself over and over that Israel has a right to wipe out and entire group of people because it means Jesus is coming back does not make it true- it only makes you look like a moron.
I'm not Jewish, Muslim or Christian and because I have no religious affiliation, I am able to step outside the dogma box and look at the situation with unbiased eyes, and what I've discovered over the past year is sickening, repulsive and anyone who does not see that Israel needs to pay for their war crimes and atrocities against the Palestinians is blind, heartless and perhaps needs a psych evaluation.
This post has been locked, replies are no longer allowed.
MSNBC kicks off racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic Buchanan - About damn time
- cowgirlsr2
on Nov. 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM