Gaza: INFORME DIARIO DE SITUACIÓN (24 julio)

Actualización de 24 horas – Datos hasta las 08.00 h. de 24 de julio 2014

On 7 July UNRWA declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip in response to escalating violence between Israel and Hamas. Since then, civilian displacement and fatalities have risen sharply. The total number of Palestinian deaths reported by the Protection Cluster currently stands at 756. The number of displaced people is now nearly triple the peak number from the 2008/9 conflict, and exceeds 141,338 in 83 schools. UNRWA has launched an emergency flash appeal for US$ 115 million to respond to the urgent and pressing humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.

GENERAL

Past 24 hours:UNRWA shelters continue to provide refuge to large numbers of Internally Displaced People (IDPs). Amid the trauma of displacement, a number of babies have been born to mothers staying in UNRWA shelters and have all returned to the shelters to start their life as IDPs. UNRWA health teams continue to monitor the health of babies and mothers  

According to the Protection Cluster, the number of Palestinians reported killed in the current escalation in violence has now reached 756. In the past 24 hour period, 100 Palestinians were reported killed, including 7 women and 17 children. According to the Ministry of Health, the total number of Palestinians reported injured since the current emergency began has risen to 4,605. With three soldiers reported to have been killed in the past 24 hours, the Israeli death toll reportedly stands at 32, including 3 civilians.

Availability of safe water is a growing concern for people in Gaza. Much of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure that has been damaged during the current conflict is inaccessible as it is located in the expanded ‘buffer zone’ or in areas of heavy fighting. This has left a large percentage of the population without access to water, raising serious public health concerns. UNRWA remains ready to support repairs to vital infrastructure once assessment of priority needs has been carried out and security allows.

In its shelters, UNRWA is working to ensure access to safe drinking water for IDPs. In Gaza and North Areas, UNRWA teachers living close to shelters have been allocated as water focal points; and in Middle, Khan Younis and Rafah Areas UNRWA Sanitation staff continue to visit shelters and monitor water quality to ensure that safety standards are upheld. Water focal points in shelters have received water testing kits; and training in water testing is in process, as well as training on awareness-raising of safe water handling practices. Many UNRWA shelters remain without running water and UNRWA provides tanks of non-potable water to shelters to ensure that standards of hygiene can be maintained.

In addition to water shortages, people in Gaza are experiencing increased electricity cuts as a result of the current conflict. While electricity supply was a major issue before the current conflict, this has been exacerbated by the Gaza Power Plant being struck on 22 July. Electricity is being provided on a rolling basis and homes are left without power for approximately 20 hours per day. Electricity cuts have major impacts on the life of Gazans. These cuts prevent households from being able to pump water to storage tanks; pose risks to safe storage of food as refrigerators cannot function properly; and impact communications as internet access is cut and mobile phones cannot be charged. The psychological impact of being without light and means of communication while conflict is ongoing cannot be overestimated.

While responding to the current emergency, UNRWA also yesterday launched its regular emergency food distribution cycle in nine out of twelve Distribution Centers across the Gaza Strip. Three Distribution Centers were closed due to heavy fighting. Over 830,000 refugees receive food from UNRWA, approximately half the total population in Gaza, highlighting the severe economic deprivation experienced in Gaza even before the current escalation in conflict. 

Reflecting the strong sense of solidarity in Palestinian communities, a group of 80 youth have launched an initiative in Rafah to clean eight UNRWA shelters, with support from IDPs. Shelters also continue to receive in-kind donations of food and other essential supplies from local community organizations, including from a 7-year old boy who donated his savings to assist IDPs in a local UNRWA shelter. These efforts demonstrate the generosity of the human spirit that survives in Palestinian communities even during times of great hardship.

International pressure continues to mount for a resolution to the conflict. Speaking at the 21st Special Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 23 July, Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated that civilians must not be targeted, highlighting UN figures that 74% of those killed so far were civilians. Speaking on behalf of UNRWA, Lance Bartholomeusz echoed the call for respect for international law and protection of civilians as well as addressing the root causes of the conflict. Following the Special Session, the Human Rights Council voted for establishing an independent, international commission of enquiry to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA’s response 

·         UNRWA is now providing shelter to more than 141,338 beneficiaries in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. There are currently 83 designated emergency shelters, with more expected to open throughout the day. The priority continues to be the provision of food, water, sleeping, hygiene and cleaning items.

·         During this period, UNRWA delivered 25 trucks of NFIs to shelters, 40 trucks of food and 13 trucks of non- potable water.

·         Regular UNRWA operations are affected but continue as security permits. On 23 July, 13 out of 21 UNRWA Health Centers were open and 12,779 patients were served at UNRWA Health Centers across the Gaza Strip, including 689 children. This figure also includes 2,239 IDPs staying in UNRWA shelters who accessed nearby UNRWA Health Centers. Since UNRWA shelters were opened, 768 IDPs were transported by UNRWA Ambulances from shelters to hospitals to receive urgent medical care.

·         On 22 July, 393 Sanitation Laborers reported to work in all but two areas of the Gaza Strip (Bureij and Maghazi were inaccessible due to heavy fighting and access restrictions); and removed 204 tones of solid waste.

Summary of Major Incidents  

Reportedly there were 127 rockets and 45 mortar shells fired towards Israel. There were also reports that 145 missiles were fired into Gaza in addition to 305 navy shells and 907 tank shells. Reportedly, 48 houses were bombarded.

It is with the deepest regret that UNRWA has lost a third dedicated staff member, who was killed during this period.

UNRWA Installations 

A total of 84 UNRWA installations have been damaged since 1 June, 2014.

 In the past 24 hours, three UNRWA installations were damaged, including two schools and one health centre.

Funding Needs 

On 17 July, UNRWA launched an emergency flash appeal for US$ 60 million to respond to the urgent and pressing humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza, including the thousands who have already fled their homes to seek safety in UNRWA facilities. This funding was to enable UNRWA to respond to the immediate shelter, food, health and psychosocial needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), while replenishing emergency supplies and preparing for vital interventions necessary after a cessation of military activities. The emergency response phase was expected to last for one month, and the early recovery a further three to six months.

More information on the appeal can be found by here:

http://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/gaza_flash_appeal_2014.pdf

Based on the escalating number of IDPs and further destruction of shelters, a revised appeal was released on 22 July, for an additional US$ 55 million.  UNRWA now estimates that US$ 115 million is needed to provide emergency assistance to 150,000 people through its shelters- where food, NFI and psychosocial support are provided- and through health and social service facilities available to those not taking refuge in UNRWA shelters. This funding will also allow UNRWA to start early recovery activities once hostilities cease.

More information on the revised appeal can be found by here:

http://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/gaza_flash_appeal2014.pdf

Crossings

Rafah crossing was open for foreign passport holders and wounded Palestinians

·         Erez was closed.

·         Kerem Shalom crossing was open for food and fuel.

Background 

Following the escalation in violence between Gaza and Israel in November 2012 an understanding was reached between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt. 2013 was subsequently the quietest year in a decade, in terms of hostilities between Israel and Gaza. Events in 2014, however, have led to a profound deterioration in the situation.

The Israeli blockade of Gaza entered its 8th year in June 2014 and continues to have a devastating effect as access to markets and people’s movement to and from the Gaza Strip remain severely restricted. The economy and its capacity to create jobs has been devastated, with the majority of the population becoming dependent on humanitarian aid to meet basic needs. The number of Palestine refugees relying on UNRWA for food aid has increased from fewer than 80,000 in 2000 to over 830,000 today.

Gaza: Facts and Figures

1.2 million refugees

8 refugee camps

Over 12,500 staff

245 schools for more than 230,000 students

21 health centres

12 food distribution centres for more than 830,000 refugees

Living under a tightened land and sea blockade since 2007

Shattered local economy