Poverty increases in Palestinian areas

The level of poverty in the West Bank has increased in the recent period to become similar to the level in Gaza, said Palestinian deputy minister for social affairs Diab Ayyoush in Gaza, Wednesday.

He noted that current economic and political conditions are behind this increase, stating that the ministry intends to offer food items donated by the donor countries to a number of poor families in the West Bank.

Ayyoush said the level of poverty in Gaza was 30 percent and in the West Bank 10 percent, but the level in the West Bank had doubled to come close to the level in Gaza. He explained that an agreement was signed between his ministry and the World Food Organization to offer assistance to about 10,000 poor families in Gaza.

He said most of the donations had been restricted to the Gaza Strip because research had shown in the past that the level of poverty in the Strip is much higher than it is in the West Bank. But now, he said, contacts are being conducted with other international organizations to seek their financial assistance for poor families in the West Bank as well.