'Lift Israeli blockade' plea on war anniversary

Israel must lift its two-year blockade of the Gaza strip so that people can rebuild their lives, said global anti-poverty agency ActionAid on the eve of the six month anniversary of the Israeli bombardment.

Even school books and plastic children’s toys are banned from entering Gaza by Israel as well as essential supplies needed for relief and rehabilitation such as fuel and building materials.

Richard Sandison, ActionAid’s programme manager in Gaza said: “Israel’s blockade is indiscriminate and is affecting the entire 1.5 million strong population of Gaza. Ordinary women, children and the elderly are the main victims.

“The bombing is over for the moment, but people are finding it hard to get back on their feet because of the blockade.

“For example schools are lying damaged or destroyed and cannot be rebuilt because we do not have the materials needed for construction.”

On the 27th December 2008 the Israeli military launched a major offensive against the Gaza Strip. This resulted in a dramatic deterioration in the lives of the civilian population already in a state of deep deprivation following a two year long blockade.

The 23-day war caused the deaths of 1,326 Palestinians and 13 Israelis. An estimated 21,000 residences were completely destroyed or badly damaged and the military operation also resulted in extensive destruction to 219 factories and of public infrastructure.

Some 65 per cent of the population of Gaza live below then poverty line and more than half of those live in extreme poverty.

ActionAid has provided emergency relief items that have benefited 1,800 people. That number will shortly rise to 20,000 as longer term recovery support including the provision of goods to restart small businesses and training in micro-enterprise takes effect.

“Three partner organisations are now planning work around expanding home based small enterprises, raising awareness on women’s rights and psychosocial support for children,” Richard Sandison added.

Na’ema from Beit Lahia, one of the women helped by ActionAid, lost the cows and goats which provided the family’s income during the bombardment.

She said: “We saw planes very close and decided to evacuate to a safer place. When we returned a few days after, I found that all the cows and goats had died. The area had been bombed.”

Na’ema has since restocked with funds provided by ActionAid.

ENDS

Notes

· ActionAid projects in Gaza are funded by the UK Disasters Emergency Committee and from ActionAid UK’s appeal for Gaza.

· ActionAid works to end global poverty and injustice - www.actionaid.org.uk

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