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FROM THE FIELD

3 months on - relief aid continues for Gaza’s families
30 Mar 2009 11:26:22 GMT
 Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe/ Central Asia office
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Young Palestinian girl waits for her parents to collect their food parcel in rural Rafah, southern Gaza. Photocredit: Sarah Malian
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Young Palestinian girl waits for her parents to collect their food parcel in rural Rafah, southern Gaza. Photocredit: Sarah Malian
World Vision MEERO, http://meero.worldvision.org

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One thousand food parcels were delivered to families still in desperate need in Rafah, southern Gaza, by World Vision's emergency response staff at the close of last week.

'We are distributing 1,000 food parcels over two days in the target area of Al Shokha, a rural part of Rafah,' said Hisham Tartouri, World Vision's programme officer in southern Gaza.

Each parcel contains 9kg of chickpeas, 4kg of lentils, 5kg of rice, 3kg of beans, tinned tuna, cooking oil, and 16 candles to cope with the frequent power shortages.

'There are still many ongoing needs for people in this area – food, blankets, flour for making bread, and also psychosocial care to cope with the trauma of conflict.'

'We are not seeing enough aid entering Gaza to meet the overwhelming needs,' added Hisham. 'There are so many people who have been affected and we can only reach out to a fraction of them.'

The Palestinian city of Rafah and its refugee camps are adjacent to Gaza's southern border with Egypt and over 80 per cent of the population here are refugees. World Vision staff have worked continuously to reach as many people as they can in the aftermath of Israel's latest military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which lasted between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009.

Israel's Operation Cast Lead had a devastating impact on Gaza's civilians and their property, and food prices are at an all time high. The economy has been stifled by almost two years of blockade and strict border closures, which prevent the entry and exit of goods and people. Most production facilities have ceased operations and the territory is unable to secure basic foods, medicines, or other supplies.

The resulting rise in poverty rates and unemployment has meant World Vision's food parcels are a welcome contribution to families in need, even though there is still much more to be done.

For 22-year-old Said Hashash, the food parcel will benefit his extended family of 11 members. 'I live in this area and things are very bad at the moment,' says Said, as he secures two boxes of aid to his motorcycle. 'The food parcel [from World Vision] will help my family, God willing.'

World Vision is currently supporting around 78,000 individuals in Gaza, both in the north and the south of the enclave, with food parcels, blankets and hygiene kits. Plans are underway for recovery-orientated projects, which will be implemented as soon as possible. Unfortunately, World Vision, like many international organisations and relief agencies, is currently struggling with the lack of resources and supplies being allowed into Gaza.

At present, only the bare minimum of humanitarian assistance is entering through the borders, which is restricting the recovery process. 'No building materials, metal or concrete are coming into Gaza now,' added Hisham. 'We hope more supplies, as well as fuel and cooking gas will start getting in soon, because the people of Gaza are in need of everything at the moment.'

Please click onthe link below to read an account of
World Vision Programme Manager in Gaza, 3 months on:
http://meero.worldvision.org/news_article.php?newsID=1808&countryID=15


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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