Gaza Emergency

Forty seven year-old Fayza Lafi, a Palestine refugee from Rafah and a livestock trader, attended a business training through the ‘Empowerment Programme for Female-Heads of Households’ project, implemented by the UNRWA Gender Initiative © 2018 UNRWA Photo by Khalil Adwan

If others can do it, I can too

Against the backdrop of the dire socioeconomic situation in Gaza Strip and one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, finding a job in Gaza can be very daunting. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the overall unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2018 increased to 49.1 per cent from an average rate of 43.6 in 2017; women and youth face even higher unemployment rates. According to OCHA , poverty rates and food insecurity levels have increased to 53 per cent by the end of 2017, which means some 1.01 million people, including over 400,000 children are...

$Rasha Kamal Allouh from D\Balah elem coed D (3rd) ) (pre adaptation)$

Innovation for Inclusivity: One Gaza Teacher Works to Integrate Students with Disabilities in the Classroom

UNRWA teacher goes the extra mile to improving classroom accessibility for students with disabilities

Through innovative approaches, such as the UNRWA Self-Learning Programme, EiE response helps ensure that Palestine refugee children can continue to access quality education and learning opportunities, even in times of crisis and conflict. ©2017 UNRWA Photo by Rushdi El-Saraaj.

Education in Emergencies in Gaza: Supporting Quality Education in Times of Crisis

The UNRWA Education in Emergencies programme ensures that Palestine refugee children impacted by conflict, the blockade and ongoing harsh living conditions in Gaza continue to access quality, equitable and inclusive education

Gaza Situation Report 228

“I had to drop out from school when I was eleven years old to work and support my family, because my elder brothers work was not enough for our eight-member family, I met one of the area social work supervisors outside the distribution centre, he asked about my family expenses, after that, I engaged in six-month vocational training on tiling profession at the UNRWA Gaza Training Centre.”

The scale of human loss and destruction in Gaza during the 2014 conflict was catastrophic and has, in the words of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, “shocked and shamed the world.” During the 50 days from 8 July until 26 August 2014, 2,251 Palestinians were killed, 1,462 of them are believed to be civilians, including 551 children and 299 women. Sixty-six Israeli soldiers and five civilians, including one child, were also killed. Overall, 11,231 Palestinians were injured during the conflict, including 3,540 women and 3,436 children. Roughly one third of these children will have to cope with permanent disabilities for the rest of their lives as a result of their injuries. Today, more than 300,000 children are in need of psycho-social support.

During the violence, over 142,000 housing units were impacted by the conflict, of which 9117 were completely destroyed and 5,417 severely damaged. The conflict led to a homelessness crisis in Gaza, with almost 500,000 persons displaced at its peak; 75,000 persons remain displaced to this day. Over the past two years, UNRWA has distributed US 190.7 million as part of its Emergency Shelter Programme. An additional US$720 million are required, of which US$ 257 were pledged, leaving a shortfall of US$463 million.

Also, 118 UNRWA installations were damaged, including 83 schools and 10 health centres. UNRWA has since repaired and rebuilt all of its damaged installations.

More information is available here and on the #GazaOneYearLater campaign page and the Gaza eight years of blockade infographic

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Facts & Figures

2,251 people killed

11,231 people injured

300,000

persons spent some

time displaced

in UNRWA shelters

83 UNRWA schools,

10 health centres

& 25 other instalations

damaged

60,000 families

have not received

payments for house

repair works due

to lack of funding
(as of 20 November 2016)

2014 Gaza conflict and UNRWA shelter response – updated Oct 2016

More information on the impact of the 2014 conflict and UNRWA response

Gap 84.41

Coverage 15.59

Funding Requirements

In 2016, Palestine refugees across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) faced continued Israeli occupation, repeated violations of human rights and high levels of violence. In Gaza, the political and security situation remains volatile. 6,750 Palestine refugee families remain displaced as a result of the 2014 hostilities and repairs to tens of thousands of homes have yet to be completed. The Gaza blockade, which will enter its eleventh year in June 2017, has led to one of the highest unemployment rates worldwide.

The situation in the West Bank is increasingly precarious. Palestine refugees continue to experience difficult socioeconomic conditions rooted in occupation-related policies and practices imposed by the Israeli authorities. These include a recent rise in the number of house demolitions, and access and movement restrictions. In addition, Palestinians continue to experience high levels of food insecurity, with those living in refugee camps particularly affected.

In 2017, UNRWA needs US$ 402 million for emergency interventions in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Read more in the oPt Emergency Appeal for 2017.

Total Appeal$402,000,000

Received to Date$62,690,000

Gap$339,310,000

Coverage15.59%

Gap84.41%