{"id":205853,"date":"2014-09-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=205853"},"modified":"2019-03-12T19:03:43","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:03:43","slug":"auto-insert-205853","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-205853\/","title":{"rendered":"European Commission’s Humanitarian Implementation Plan for the oPt – European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Dept. report\/Non-UN document"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Year: 2014<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Last update: 15\/09\/2014<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Version 4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

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HUMANITARIAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (HIP)
\n<\/strong>PALESTINE<\/strong><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n

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AMOUNT: EUR 33 500 000<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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0. MAJOR CHANGES SINCE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THE HIP<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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September 2014: modification n°3 <\/u><\/p><\/div>\n

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The open-ended ceasefire which entered into force on 26 August continues to hold. The international community considers the scale of damage resulting from the 50-day escalation in hostilities "Protective edge" as "unprecedented since the beginning of the Israeli occupation in 1967". All governorates in Gaza witnessed extensive aerial bombardment, naval shelling and artillery fire, resulting in the widespread loss of life and livelihoods. Damage to public infrastructure was also unprecedented, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without adequate services, including electricity, clean water and quality healthcare. Explosive Remnants of War are widely dispersed in and around homes and public spaces and buildings throughout Gaza.<\/p><\/div>\n

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At least 2 131 people have been killed and over 11 100 injured during Israel's assault which started on 7 July 2014. Almost three quarters of Palestinian fatalities are believed to be civilians. It is estimated that almost a quarter of those killed are children. The number of child fatalities (500) exceeds the combined number of children killed in the two previous wars in Gaza. Preliminary estimates indicate that up to 1 000 of the children injured will have a permanent disability and up to 1 500 orphaned children will need sustained support from the child protection and welfare sectors.<\/p><\/div>\n

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At the peak of Israel's assault, an estimated 485 000 people (almost 27% of Gaza's population) were displaced. Nearly 18 000 housing units were totally destroyed or severely damaged by Israeli attacks, leaving approximately 108 000 of Gaza's 1.8 million Palestinians displaced and homeless. Prior to this latest assault, there was already a shortage of 71 000 housing units as a result of Israel's 2008-09 attack on Gaza.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Gaza's health system suffered due to the reduction in the number of operational hospitals and clinics as many hospitals and primary health centers were damaged, closed down or completely destroyed. Priorities are the repair and rehabilitation of damaged facilities; maintaining supplies of fuel, medicines and medical disposables; and improving the referral process to hospitals outside of Gaza.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Needs in the WASH sector remain high as well. Priorities include repairs to essential infrastructure and increased distribution of potable and domestic water to households, municipalities and shelters. The Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) and Coastal Municipal Water Utility (CMWU) estimate the cost of repairs to be around €26 million. CMWU has been repairing damages and has addressed 80 per cent of the priority repairs to infrastructure serving the greatest number of people. Despite this, current estimates are that 20 to 30 per cent of households, or 450 000 people, remain unable to access municipal water due to damage and\/or low pressure. Additionally, many of these repairs are temporary and will require longer- term repair after emergency works are completed.<\/p><\/div>\n

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On average, 20 to 30 per cent of water and wastewater networks remain significantly damaged. Some 30 to 50 per cent of water storage capacity at the household level is damaged, putting a particular strain on host families.<\/p><\/div>\n

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These losses come on top of an already fragile economy and livelihoods. The overall unemployment rate in Gaza prior to Israel's latest assault was 45% (70% for those aged 20-24). It is expected that the labor market conditions in Gaza will further deteriorate following the conflict, exacerbating the impact of the blockade and the longstanding access restrictions imposed by Israel which have been preventing any meaningful economic activity.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The revised 2014 Gaza Crisis Appeal amounts to €425 million compared to the previously requested appeal of €278 million.<\/p><\/div>\n

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In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation following the Israeli offensive, the European Commission decided to increase by EUR 2 million the budget of the 2014 HIP. This additional funding will be used to respond to the priority needs related to WASH, health and protection in Gaza.<\/p><\/div>\n

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July 2014: modification n°2<\/u><\/p><\/div>\n

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Since the start of Israel's Operation Protective Edge on 7 July, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has significantly deteriorated: the escalation of hostilities has led to an exponential increase in civilian casualties (include figures) and more than four thousands people have been injured.<\/p><\/div>\n

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As a consequence of the hostilities, mass displacement of civilians is taking place and over 150 000 people have tried to sought refuge in UNRWA and municipal shelters or are currently hosted by relatives. Finding safe havens in Gaza is increasingly difficult as both schools and health facilities have been reported to be targeted by shelling in what would be a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. Intense overcrowding, coped with very limited access of humanitarian staff, is increasingly undermining the living conditions in many shelters and rising enormous protection concerns. Water supply has been particularly challenging, with IDPs in some shelters receiving as little as three liters per capita per day, to be used for all purposes including drinking and hygiene.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The current crisis is exacerbating the high degree of pre-existing vulnerability in the Gaza Strip, with high unemployment and the lack of a viable economy as a result of years of Israeli occupation, strict movement and access restrictions, internal division and sporadic conflict, which have exhausted people's coping mechanisms.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The massive flow of displaced people and the unpredictability of the shelling are straining the capacity of humanitarian actors to ensure adequate shelters, provision of food and other forms of basic assistance such as medicine and drinking water. The provision of even the most basic services to the civilian population has become increasingly challenging as public infrastructure and services including health, water and sanitation and electricity facilities have continued to be struck and sustained considerable damages. Airstrikes have heavily affected the water and wastewater infrastructure in Gaza, resulting in severe disruption on water supply and sewage services. It is estimated that 1 2 million people (2\/3 of the total population in Gaza) have no or very limited access to water or sanitation services, thus increasing the risk of water-borne diseases and related health issues.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Since the start of the emergency at least 18 medical facilities have been hit by airstrikes and shelling. Lack of adequate protection of health facilities and personnel is impeding emergency assistance to sick and injured. Health facilities are overcrowded lacking of sufficient capacities (staff, medicines and disposables) to respond to the increasing number of wounded people.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The depletion of stocks and access restrictions are increasingly challenging humanitarian operations. Humanitarian space is urgently needed for repairs and operation of WASH and electricity facilities, to assist lDPs and communities (with NFIs, WASH services and food assistance). The mobilization of humanitarian actors and delivery of assistance is negatively affected by the unstable security situation and lack of sufficient access granted by the parties to the conflict.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The on-going destruction, displacement, and civilian casualties continue to raise concerns about the respect for the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack under international humanitarian law.<\/p><\/div>\n

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In the past days, a great number of donors have responded to the crisis. Contributions have been received from the Middle East and North Africa (EUR 118 8 million), United States (EUR 35 million), Europe (EUR 19.6 million) and South Africa (EUR 0.7 million), with a number of Gulf countries showing interest in supporting UNRWA's Flash Appeal of USD 115 million. OCHA will launch its appeal in the coming days which may amount to approximately USD 70 million. UNICEF and WHO have also launched their own appeal to cover the Gaza crisis.<\/p><\/div>\n

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In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the number of people internally displaced, the European Commission decided to increase by EUR 5 million the budget of the 2014 HIP. This additional funding will be mainly used to respond to the priority needs of the affected population and to repair damaged facilities in Gaza. Security conditions allowing both for civilians and humanitarian organisations, this amount will also cover early recovery operations.<\/p><\/div>\n

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March 2014: modification n°1 <\/u><\/p><\/div>\n

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Following a revision of the means required to fully implement DG ECHO strategy as outlined in the initial version of the 2014 HIP for Palestine, the European Commission has decided to reduce the budget allocated to the 2014 Palestine HIP by an amount of EUR 3 000 000. The total budget of this revised Palestine HIP is now EUR 26 500 000.<\/p><\/div>\n

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January 2014: original HIP<\/u><\/p><\/div>\n

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1. CONTEXT<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The Middle East Peace Process has been stalled for the past six years, but in August 2013 both sides have agreed to resume direct talks. Despite this progress, most political analysts suggest that the chances for a major breakthrough resulting in concrete policy changes and an eventual end to the occupation remain very slim in the near future.<\/p><\/div>\n

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In the meantime, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) violations continue in near complete impunity resulting in a protection crisis with humanitarian consequences. The Palestinian Authority (PA) faces growing difficulties in providing services for its population in the areas of the West Bank under its control, while reconciliation efforts with Gaza-based Hamas remain strained.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Nearly half of the 4.3 million Palestinians currently living in Palestine are registered as refugees'.<\/p><\/div>\n

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DG ECHO's Integrated Analysis Framework (IAF) for 2013-14 identified high humanitarian needs <\/strong>in Palestine. The vulnerability of the population <\/strong>affected by the crisis is assessed to be low.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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The <\/span>Gaza blockade<\/u><\/strong><\/span> is described as "collective punishment" by the ICRC<\/span>2<\/sup><\/span> and the UN<\/span>3<\/sup><\/span>. It continues for a seventh year to impact the lives of <\/span>1.6 million Gazans, <\/strong><\/span>driving many deeper into poverty and unemployment<\/span>4<\/sup><\/span>. The blockade severely restricts movement of people and goods by land, air and sea. This causes a permanent protracted emergency severely limiting people's capacity to make a living and driving people further into poverty. This situation is further compounded by complex relations with Egypt and negative developments in the Sinai. Unless normal movement of people and goods is allowed to resume there will be no fundamental change in the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The November 2012 eight-day conflict has shown the limits of the population's capacity to absorb new shocks. While there is no shortage of food in Gaza, high levels of poverty seriously reduce access to it, and around 80% of the Gazans rely on assistance. The water and sanitation systems are on the edge of collapse; the health system is in disarray and constantly lacks drugs and equipment.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

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A recent survey has shown that farmers and fishermen rely more and more on humanitarian aid to support their families, whether on food assistance or cash transfer. Access restrictions to land and sea, the high prices of agricultural inputs, the long-term inability to transfer goods to the West Bank, or import to Israel or beyond have led to the near devastation of the agricultural sector in the Gaza strip.<\/span>5<\/sup><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

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Of the 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank,<\/u><\/strong> almost 500 000 <\/strong>are under ever growing pressure to abandon their homes and land. Of these, 280 000 live in East Jerusalem; 30 000 are (or will be) separated from the West Bank by the Barrier; and 150 000 live in Area C. The main push factors for the Palestinians to leave their home are: movement and access restrictions <\/strong>(including access to and use of natural resources); demolition <\/strong>(or threat of demolition) of Palestinian homes and livelihood assets, access to basic services; increasing settler violence, all of which being on a rising trend. This also affects the humanitarian space, <\/strong>with structures demolished (including EU-funded structures), humanitarian assets confiscated, and with access restrictions imposed on humanitarian actors mostly when intervening in fire zones (military zones).<\/p><\/div>\n

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2. HUMANITARIAN NEEDS<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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1) Affected people\/ potential beneficiaries<\/p><\/div>\n