Jerusalem, 16 December 2021 (TDI): Today, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian territory, Lynn Hastings, launched a $510 million Humanitarian Response Plan. The initiative represents strong humanitarian action and will support 1.6 million of the most vulnerable people in Gaza and in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, next year.
High-level officials of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations stated, “Dozens of humanitarian organizations stand ready to implement the Plan’s 193 projects”. Furthermore, Hastings said that the UN works to protect the rights of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
As well, to increase access to quality basic services, and support capacities to overcome the impacts of the protracted crisis.
The official also highlighted the need to maintain sustained funding to prevent further deterioration, “but to see a decrease in needs, political solutions to this protracted crisis must be secured.”
Facts and figures
“The Plan estimates two in every five Palestinians will require some sort of humanitarian assistance in 2022. Some 64 percent of them, or 1.3 million people, live in Gaza, where the majority of interventions will be implemented. The Plan covers Gaza, East Jerusalem, Area C of the West Bank, and H2 in Hebron, and will complement efforts made by the Palestinian authorities”, according to the press release.
Moreover, the expectations include the analysis of the Israeli blockade, the internal Palestinian divide, and recurrent escalations all fueling dependency on assistance. Statistics demonstrate that unemployment and poverty remain at 44.
7 and 59.3 percent respectively. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli policies include illegal settlements, demolitions, and evictions, which may result in the forcible transfer of people. Hastings stated that this represents a denial of basic rights and freedoms, contributing to the continuing needs.
Therefore, the Plan will cover multi-sectorial aspects, including food security, health, protection against rights violations, education, shelter, water, hygiene, and sanitation.
