GAZA

United Nations

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

FIELD UPDATE ON GAZA FROM THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR

24 - 30 March 2009

Overview

In addition to limitations on humanitarian deliveries, restrictions on imports and exports in general continue to seriously affect the living conditions of the population. The vast majority of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip rely on local farming to produce affordable fresh foods, including fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Movement restrictions continue to prevent herders and farmers from accessing areas near the borders. Fishermen stand to lose substantial income as a result of new restrictions that limit fishing to three miles from Gaza’s shores.

All Gaza patient referrals abroad have been halted affecting many patients with serious and complicated conditions due to the taking over of the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health Referral Abroad Department by the Hamas authorities in Gaza. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, together with the World Health Organization, has issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns about the halting of referrals out of the Gaza Strip.

Two months after the launch of the Flash Appeal for Gaza, the level of funding received stands at just 35 percent. For example, the 27 agricultural recovery projects aimed at protecting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable farming families received only USD 2.3 million of the USD 30 million requested.

During the reporting period, two Palestinians were injured, one civilian and one armed man in two separate incidents. In addition, Israeli patrol boats opened fire on five different occasions warning Palestinian fishing boats west of Rafah and west of Beit Lahia, forcing the boats to return to shore.

Commodities Import

During the period from 22 to 28 March, a total of 721 truckloads of goods including 129 for humanitarian aid agencies (18%), were allowed entry to Gaza compared to 728 reported during the last week.

This week new food items (tea, yeast, salt, potato chips) were allowed entry through commercial channels after being barred since late October 2008. Food supplies accounted for the vast majority of imported commodities, 568 truckloads (79 percent), followed by hygiene/cleaning supplies (including soap and shampoo, barred since October 2008), which accounted for 118 truckloads (16 percent). Non-edible consumables (blankets and mattresses) made up 26 truckloads (4 percent).

The remaining 9 truckloads were divided among the medical supplies (1), education/stationery supplies (2), agricultural raw materials (4) and packaging applications (2).

No construction materials, industrial/electrical appliances, livestock, vehicles/transport and/or any other type of commodity were allowed entry this week.

Exports

Two (2) truckloads of carnations (nearly 54,000 cut flowers) were exported on 23 and 26 March through Kerem Shalom crossings. The Palestine Trade Centre reported that in season, which ends by late April/May, there are only 25 dunums (out of 400 – 500 dunums in a normal production season) with a carnation production capacity of nearly 50,000 flowers per week each. Since 12 February 2009, approximately 450,000 flowers have been allowed out through Kerem Shalom out of an expected 6 million flowers being produced this season. Gaza farmers can export 40 to 50 million flowers in a normal production season. 2

1. Information on the status of border crossings and numbers of trucks crossing is compiled by OCHA Gaza, based on data provided by the Gaza Ministry of National Economy, UNRWA, UNSCO and Paltrade (Palestine Trade Centre) and cross-checked with data received from COGAT and covers the period 22 to 28 March.

2. This represents a correction of flower production estimates per season contained in the last update.