Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

oPt

OPT: Situation Report on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip No.10

The following information is based on reports from member states, the UN Country Team for the occupied Palestinian territory, humanitarian partners and authorities involved in the humanitarian response.

1.0 General Overview

1. The fighting in Gaza persisted between 13-14 January, with an increase in civilian casualties, significant constraints to movement into and within Gaza, and damages to infrastructure and public utilities. Israeli air, sea and ground forces continue to surround populated areas of Gaza and the Gaza and North Gaza Governorates remain isolated from the rest of the territory. During the past two days, Israeli troops have gone further into urban areas of Gaza City and the surrounding areas of Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, which has caused an increase in the numbers of people trapped in their homes, with aid agencies unable to reach them. Air strikes hit approximately 60 targets in Gaza during the night of 13 January, including the tunnels from Rafah into Egypt, while dozens of homes in Northern Gaza were reportedly destroyed.

2. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH), as of 14 January, there were 1,013 Palestinian fatalities, of whom 322 are children and 76 are women. There were also 4,560 injured Palestinians, of whom 1,600 are children and 678 are women. On 12 January, the MoH reported that the number of children fatalities had tripled since the beginning of the ground operation on 3 January (as compared to the number of child fatalities from 27 Dec to 3 Jan). On 14 January, a group of international NGOs released a statement noting that since the UN passed Resolution 1860, and called for an immediate cease-fire, more than 200 people have been killed and 1,300 people injured.

3. As at 1500 hrs (1300 hrs GMT) on 14 January, 44 rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza between 12-14 January. On the morning of 14 January, three Katyusha rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel; Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) fired back into Lebanon. According to reports, there were no injuries sustained from the recent rocket attacks in Israel. Nine Israeli soldiers have been killed since 27 December and there have been four Israeli fatalities and 58 injuries (not including those treated for shock).

4. As of 12 January, there were five UNRWA staff fatalities and three UNRWA contractor fatalities due to the fighting since 27 December. There were also four UNRWA staff and four UNRWA contractors injured. One WFP contractor was killed and two others were injured. At least 49 UN buildings have sustained damage during the fighting; one international NGO partner clinic has reportedly been destroyed; and several NGO compounds have been damaged. There have also been at least four incidents of aid convoys being hit by gunfire.

5. In an effort to improve the coordination of the humanitarian assistance going through Egypt to Gaza, the First Lady of Egypt, in her role as the President of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS), has proposed the formation of an Emergency Committee for the Coordination of Assistance to Gaza (ECCA). The Committee would have bases in Cairo and in Al Arish, with the objective helping to channel assistance to Gaza. It will include the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS), ERCS and UN agencies.

6. The Joint Humanitarian Coordination Centre (JHCC), established on 6 January with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), and now including representatives from several UN agencies and donors, informed that, "the IDF will work in order to assist the organizations in carrying out and improving their work vis-a-vis the civilian population in Gaza". On 13 January, the JHCC also noted that the IDF has been instructed, "to assist with all available assets in the locating and subsequent relocation of dead bodies".

7. Though there have been media reports that food aid has been looted in Gaza, humanitarian agencies (UN and partners) involved in the delivery and distribution of food supplies, affirm that they are not aware of any misappropriation of humanitarian supplies. Careful mechanisms are in place to protect and monitor aid flows and any allegations of looting are taken very seriously and will be investigated.

8. The UN Secretary General is currently travelling in the Middle East to advocate with leaders in the region for the expedited implementation of Security Council Resolution 1860. On 13 January, he stated that his, "goal is an immediate end to military operations in Gaza - a halt to the rocket attacks by Hamas and an end to Israel's offensive." After meeting with the President of Egypt on 14 January, the UN Secretary General noted that he had been briefed on the status of the Egyptian cease-fire initiative and that, "the United Nations stands ready to support and assist this process, as well as the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts to follow". The UN Secretary General will meet with the Humanitarian Country Team for the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) on 15 January.

9. On 13 January, Human Rights Watch released a letter to the UN Secretary General appealing that he urge both parties to respect international humanitarian law (IHL), among issues related to Gaza. It was further noted that he should, "make clear to Israel that any plan to raze homes in Rafah along the Philadelphi route in order to destroy tunnels violates two fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, distinction and proportionality"...noting that, "technologies are widely available for the detection and destruction of tunnels that do not involve the destruction of civilian homes."

2.0 Coordination and Humanitarian Response

Gaza Crossings

10. Kerem Shalom crossing was open on 13 and 14 January. On 13 January 94 trucks crossed into Gaza (including 50 trucks for humanitarian agencies with food, medical supplies, NFIs and 200,000 litres of industrial fuel). On 13 January, the JHCC agreed to try to facilitate the crossing of 150 trucks per day through Kerem Shalom.

11. Rafah crossing was open On 13 January, 21 medical cases were allowed to cross into Egypt. Ten truckloads of medical and relief supplies, 17 doctors, seven ambulances and six Palestinians crossed into Gaza from Egypt.

12. After opening on 12 January (facilitating 27 truckloads to cross into Gaza), the Karni conveyor belt was closed on 13 and 14 January. The Karni crossing had been closed over the past days, and is the only facility that can import the amount of grain required in Gaza at this time. The Nahal Oz fuel pipeline was also closed on 13 and 14 January.

2.1. Protection

13. On 14 January, the Head of UNICEF released a statement on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that, "the crisis in Gaza is singular in that children and their families have nowhere to escape, no refuge".

14. On 12 January there was a limited Israeli cessation of military operations between 1000-1300hrs (0800-1100 hrs GMT). On 13 January there was a limited cessation between 1300 - 1600 hrs (1100-1400 hrs GMT) for Gaza and North Governates (north of the Karni - Mghraga Jucntion - Nezarim line); there was no cessation in effect for southern Gaza Governate, Middle Camps, Khan Younis or Rafah Governates. On 14 January, there was a unilateral cessation of military operations by Israel between 1300-1600 hrs (1100-1400 hrs GMT).

15. There are serious concerns about the dissemination of information regarding the changing of the time and coverage of the scheduled lulls in fighting. Delayed dissemination of information on the changing parameters of the lull could cause civilians and aid workers to be exposed to serious security risks, and it constrains the planning necessary for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

16. On 12 January, ICRC criticised the lull stating that, "in the areas most affected by the fighting, very few people manage to go out into the streets during the daily three-hour halt in hostilities. Sometimes fighting occurs even during these brief pauses." On 14 January, a group of international NGOs (including Save the Children, Oxfam International, World Vision Jerusalem, Christian Aid, CARE International) released a statement noting that, "the three-hour 'lull' in the fighting, which is now only restricted to Gaza City, detracts attention away from the immediate need to reach a durable ceasefire...the slim window of time each day is not nearly enough to address the dire humanitarian situation on the ground...[and that] fighting usually continues during the 'lulls' so humanitarian workers and the civilian population risk their lives moving around the Gaza Strip".

17. On 14 January, the Emergency Relief Coordinator briefed the Security Council during an Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. He noted that the situation for the civilian population of Gaza is, "terrifying and its psychological impact felt particularly by children and their parents..." and highlighted that, "in the conduct of military operations, constant care must be taken to spare the civilian population from the effects of hostilities. This requires strict compliance with the principles of distinction and proportionality and the requirement to take all feasible precautions in attack and against the effects of attack".

18. Security for health care workers and access to medical facilitates continues to be constrained in Gaza. Thirteen medical personnel have been killed since 27 December and 22 have been injured, according to the Palestinian MoH. The President of the ICRC travelled to Gaza on 13 January and urged both parties to spare civilians and allow humanitarian aid workers to do their jobs. He noted that, "both parties must ensure that all victims are cared for rapidly, at all times of day. In particular, the wounded must be evacuated and receive treatment." On 13 January, the ICRC called on, "the involved parties, in particular Israel, to remove restrictions on medical teams so they can do their life-saving work..."

2.2. Food

19. One million fifty thousand (1,050,000) people continue to rely on UN food assistance, though insecurity is constraining people from accessing what food is available, both in shops and through food distribution points. On 13 January UNRWA provided food parcels to 2,156 households and distributed flour to 2,276 people. WFP also distributed 61 metric tones of food to approximately 1,000 households in Gaza city through its partner, CHF International. Due to limited fuel and water resources, WFP is prioritizing distributions of ready-to-eat consumables.

2.3. Health

20. Hospital emergency rooms and staff continue to manage mass casualties, though the health system overall has been severely weakened. WHO emphasized the urgency of improving the referral and evacuation of patients who require critical care. As of 11 January, 70 patients were cleared for evacuation to Egypt through Rafah but remain in Gaza due to the slow flow of evacuations at the crossing. Outstanding urgent medical needs include medical equipment for intensive care units and orthopaedic material; efforts are being made to prioritize the medical supplies and equipment needed to effectively support the health system. On 13 January, WHO released its Operational Plan to respond to the needs in Gaza, including an appeal for over USD 13 million. See http://www.who.int/hac/crises/international/wbgs/gaza_operational_plan_13January2009.pdf.

21. On 12 and 13 January the Dorah Paediatric hospital was hit by shells; staff have continued to provide emergency services at the hospital. The Gaza European hospital was also damaged on 10 January and 23 of the 58 Palestinian MoH Primary health Care centres are now closed due to shelling and insecurity, only 30 percent of the staff are able to access the clinics to work. All but three UNRWA health centres were open on 13 January. The majority of health centres located in the two northern governorates remain closed.

2.4. Water and Sanitation

22. The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) has not received approval for safe passage to repair damage to the water and waste water networks. At least 500,000 people remain without access to running water. Sewage continues to flow in the streets in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and as of 13 January, UNRWA was unable to deliver fuel for pumps to the Beit Lahia Wastewater Treatment Plant to alleviate pressure at the treatment plant. If the lake overflows, it will put up to 15,000 people at risk of exposure to partially treated waste-water, posing significant public health risks. On 13 January, CMWU received four truckloads of spare parts form the Palestinian Water Authority in the West Bank to assist with repairs.

2.5. Shelter and Non-Food Items

23. The number of people seeking refuge in UNRWA shelters continues to rise: on 13 January, UNRWA was operating 41 shelters with 37,937 people, which is an increase of more than 3,000 people from 12 January. UNRWA has supplied all shelters with bread, tinned food and drinking water, though UNRWA could not obtain access to Khaliil Uweida shelter, north of Jabalia. There is a continued need for non-food items (NFIs), specifically mattresses and blankets. International NGOs have also started to distribute NFIs to families hosting what is estimated to be tens of thousands of additional displaced persons.

2.6. Infrastructure, Fuel and Electricity

24. Although the supply power has increased with the partial operation of the Gaza Power Plant, a large proportion of households remain without electricity due to damage of local power lines. Between 12-13 January the GEDCO warehouse in Gaza City was hit, damaging spare parts needed for further repairs of the electrical network. On 13 January, UNRWA delivered 98,530 litres of diesel to support the functioning of public services as well as ICRC's operations.

3.0 International Assistance and Priority needs

3.1. Funding

25. On 13 January, as part of United Nations efforts to meet the rapidly growing humanitarian needs of civilians caught in the fighting the Emergency Relief Coordinator, allocated some seven million USD in funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help jump-start life-saving humanitarian programmes in Gaza. The funding will be used to support UNICEF, UNRWA, and WFP respectively to provide: safe drinking water to as many as 200,000 people, including displaced civilians; fuel for the generators that power water pumping stations, hospitals and other municipal services in Gaza, and cash assistance to help civilians to rent alternative shelters, defray the costs of necessary services and purchase essentials such as food and basic household materials; and provide ready-made meals to 16,000 IDPs staying in UNRWA shelters.

26. The Humanitarian Country Team has re-visited projects proposed for the 2009 CAP (which appealed for over USD 462 million) to ensure that the projects, activities and priorities remained relevant to the ongoing emergency and increased the budget to USD 529 million.

27. To respond to the current urgent needs in Gaza, priority projects were identified (from the revised CAP and outside of the CAP) in the following sectors: protection; shelter; food aid and food security; water and sanitation; agriculture; cash for work/assistance; education; health; and coordination and support services. Funding needs for the priority projects amounted to USD 117, of which USD 41 million has been committed or pledged as of 14 January. For the initial response plan and list of immediate funding needs, see: http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_crisis_cap_funding_2009_english.pdf

28. In total, as of 14 January, donors have already committed or pledged over USD 73 million (in funding or in-kind contributions) for projects in the Consolidated Appeal and approximately USD 49 million to projects outside of the appeal (http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/pageloader.aspx?page=emerg-emergencyDetails&appealID=834). This information was compiled by OCHA, based on the information provided by donors and appealing organisations. All humanitarian partners including donors and recipient agencies are encouraged to inform FTS of cash and in-kind contributions to: fts@reliefweb.int.

3.2. Priority Needs

29. Protection: Compliance with international humanitarian law is essential to enhance security for civilians within Gaza, allow civilians freedom of movement to reach lifesaving services, and for humanitarian actors to distribute assistance.

30. Access: A sustained re-opening of all crossings into Gaza is required to meet assistance needs. Improved humanitarian access into Gaza is also required for humanitarian staff, particularly for NGO staff. Increased security and improved access within Gaza is essential for civilians to reach lifesaving services, and for humanitarian actors to distribute assistance.

31. Electricity & Fuel: Much of the population of Gaza continues to live without electricity. Hospitals require fuel to run generators on which they rely; water and sanitation facilities require fuel to operate; and households and bakeries require cooking gas.

32. Wheat grain: Wheat grain is urgently needed for local bakeries and for humanitarian food distributions.

33. Cash: Cash has still not entered the Gaza Strip and is urgently needed, including for the Palestinian authority to pay civil servants, for the UNRWA cash distribution program to some 94,000 dependent beneficiaries, as well as its "cash for work" program, salaries for staff and payments to suppliers. The Palestinian Monetary Authority requested approval from Israel for a cash transfer of NIS 243 million (USD 62.9 million) and another USD 16 million from Palestinian banks in the West Bank to their branches in Gaza.

34. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet website at https://reliefweb.int. A copy of the Field Update from the Humanitarian Coordinator for the oPt can be found at: http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_08_english.pdf

4.0 Contacts

OCHA Geneva - Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Mr. Peter Neussl, Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 1511, Email: neussl@un.org

OCHA New York - Desk Officer
Mr. Aurelien Buffler, Tel: +1 347 515 4801, Email: buffler@un.org
Ms. Olivia Tecosky, Tel: +1 212 963 0363, Email: tecosky@un.org

OCHA Geneva - Press Contact
Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 2653, Email: byrs@un.org

OCHA New York - Press Contact
Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel: +1 917 367 2549, Email: bunker@un.org

OCHA Office in the occupied Palestinian territory
Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, Tel: +972-2-582-996/ 5853, Email: Lazzarini@un.org
Ms. Allegra Pacheco, Tel: +972-2-582-996/ 5853, Email: Pacheco6@un.org

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.