Report: Israel’s role in creating food and water insecurity in Gaza

PCH-Israel- The “Humanitarian Minimum” Policy is Camouflage for Continuing Harm to the Inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.

A report published by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, “Humanitarian Minimum: Israel’s Role in Creating Food and Water Insecurity in Gaza,” examines the effects of the Israeli blockade policy that began in June 2007 on public health in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Cabinet Decision to ease restrictions on selected goods in the wake of the flotilla and subsequent international pressure are not expected to change this situation significantly, as they do not facilitate economic recovery and are based on the assumption that foreign humanitarian aid will continue.

The report, which is based on testimonies and interviews with scores of inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and key stakeholders, data from international aid organizations and expert opinions of Israeli and international experts, focuses on the area of nutrition and the state of the water and sewage infrastructures. The report concludes that the “humanitarian minimum” policy Israel has pursued since September of 2007 is significantly harming the health of Gaza residents.

Nutrition –Figures from the report demonstrates a high percentage of Gaza residents suffering from food insecurity, and the number is on the rise is constantly on the rise. Currently 61% of the population in the Gaza Strip, or 973,600 people, suffer from a lack of food security, defined by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as “the absence of access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” Among this population, 94% of the households report a decline in the quality of food purchased over the past year, while 59% report a decline in the amount of food consumed. Dependence on humanitarian aid from the international organizations is also constantly on the rise; Currently, 71 percent of Gaza households rely in some capacity on international humanitarian aid. Read more