Consistent, reliable access to food and medicine cited as critical in alleviating the region's growing humanitarian crisis.

July 17, 2007

By Allyn Dhynes - Advocacy & Communications Manager

More than two weeks after the Palestinian national unity government was dissolved, and an emergency provisional government was announced, Gaza's humanitarian crisis continues.

Children Affected Most

World Vision projects are functioning in all parts of Gaza, following brief interruptions to their operations during the recent heightened violence. Our staff continues to monitor the region's already critical humanitarian needs.

Of Gaza's 1.4 million residents, nearly 840,000 are children. More than 80 percent of families in Gaza live below the poverty line of $2.70 per day. One in three children in the Gaza Strip suffer from anemia, a pre-indicator of malnutrition.

World Vision Ready to Respond

Currently, some of the most basic food and medicine supplies are not allowed to enter the region through the border crossings from Israel and Egypt. Thousands of travelers are stranded in Egypt, where the border has been closed for almost a month.

World Vision is ready to respond should the humanitarian situation in Gaza further deteriorate.

Gaza's Food Needs Unmet

During the past few days, our staff members have observed some improvement; however, the movement of essential foods in and out of Gaza remains a primary concern. Food and medicines are still being delayed at the border crossings, and as a result, basic food needs are not being met for some families in Gaza.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: "Humanitarian imports into Gaza between June 25 and July 1, through the Kerem Shalom, Sufa and Karni crossings, have met 70 percent of the minimum food needs of the Gazan population. This is a significant increase from the prior week, when only 21 percent of the food needs were met."

Humanitarian organizations, including World Vision, emphasize that access to food and medicines is one of the key factors to easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

World Vision in the Middle East

World Vision has worked in the Middle East — including Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank — for more than three decades. As a nonpolitical humanitarian organization, our first priority is the care and well-being of children, regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

In a region filled with political and social tension, World Vision's goal is to create an environment where children can thrive, reach their full potential and — as a "generation transformed" — build a lasting peace.