United Nations appeals for help to the Palestinians
Palestine-UN, Politics, 5/31/2006

The United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been compelled to revise their appeal for humanitarian assistance to Palestinian occupied territories upwards by 80 per cent from $215 million to $385 million.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the revision is a consequence of the fiscal crisis facing the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

Following the Hamas victory in the January election, Israel stopped the transfer of Palestinian value added taxes (VAT) and customs taxes it is obligated to pass over, which comprise around 50 per cent of the PNA budget.

Western donor funding was also suspended pending the new PNA acceding to Quartet principles related to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements.

With revenues including donor funds to the PNA rapidly drying up, salaries to 152,000 PNA employees have now not been paid since February. These staff directly support one million people, or more than 25 per cent of the Palestinian population.

It stressed that the lack of salaries and essential supplies will undermine the delivery of key services to the bulk of the Palestinian population, pointing out that the PNA operates 62 per cent of primary health clinics, most major general hospitals, and 75 per cent of primary and secondary schools and provides social and relief services to families who are chronically unable to support themselves.

"If current trends persist, Palestinian GDP is conservatively estimated to fall by 25 per cent by the end of 2006. Poverty is predicted to rise, and around 70 per cent of Gaza's potential workforce will either not be working or be unpaid," it added.

OCHA said the revised Consolidated Appeal aims to alleviate the impact of soaring joblessness and collapse in family income through the creation of emergency employment and to prevent increased malnutrition through expanded food assistance to families unable to meet their caloric needs.

"Infants and children, who make up half the population of the Palestinian occupied territories, are at special risk of malnutrition,," it affirms. The Consolidated Appeal will also attempt to revive an agricultural sector hard-hit by closures, provide essential health services including counseling for traumatised youth, and provide water to communities with restricted access.

Among the UN entities and NGOs in the Appeal, UNRWA provides services directly to Palestinian refugees - who constitute 40 per cent of the population - through its own infrastructure and staff in the Palestinian occupied territories.

Until such time as a political solution is found, the revised Consolidated Appeal 2006 remains one of a small number of avenues through which desperately needed humanitarian assistance can be provided to the Palestinian people living in the Palestinian occupied territories.

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