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oPt: Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Food Security and Market Monitoring Report No. 19 - Jul 2008

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WFP Food Security and Market Monitoring Report provides up-to-date information on access and availability of basic food commodities in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). This report examines food security and markets analysis determinants in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), addressing: (i) the market in terms of price fluctuations and differentials (ii) economic access to food by the poorest households and food availability in rural and urban areas; (iii) areas and populations most affected by food insecurity; and, (iv) recent food security studies.

This information, coupled with other socio-economic indicators, will enable WFP and other key actors to monitor trends and changes regarding the food security sector, and contribute in strengthening the targeting process of the most food insecure geographical areas and population. The Food Security and Market Monitoring Report aims to support WFP and other key actors to monitor trends and changes in the food security sector, and to strengthen food assistance targeting to prioritize the most food insecure areas and target groups. Report prepared by Caterina Galluzzi, oPT VAM Unit

This report focuses on the food security situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as of 14 July 2008 Recent developments in West Bank and Gaza Strip:

The truce between Israel and Hamas brokered by Egypt on 19 June is still holding despite attempts to break the ceasefire by militants groups resulting into the temporary closure of the crossings for both humanitarian and commercial imports. Likewise, there is increased animosity between Palestinians and settlers in the West Bank, leading to stricter closure regime and reduced mobility for people and goods.

In order to update the food insecurity levels in oPt, especially in the aftermath of the global hike in food prices (oPt ranks among the 30 countries most affected by rise in prices according to a WFP watch list) as well as dry spell and frost early in the year, a joint WFP/FAO/UNRWA rapid survey was carried out in March/April. Findings show that, despite humanitarian aid, food insecurity is on the rise and almost two thirds of the household income is spent on food only. The survey result also report that extension of credit is shrinking, consumers buy smaller quantity of food while retailers adjust their stocks according to lowered demand and increased prices, leading to an overall slump in the economy.

The protracted rationing of fuel and recurrent power-cuts in the Gaza Strip over the past few months have contributed to the deterioration of the living standards of the Gazan population adding to their social distress but above all the shortage of fuel continues to affect the viability of the productive sectors as well as the functionality of health infrastructures. It is of utmost importance to curtail the current discharge of sewage into the sea along a densely populated shoreline such as the Gaza Strip in order to prevent serious health conditions.

Since the day of the bombing of Eretz on 22 May 2008, the crossings have been operating intermittently, with frequent days of closure, disruptions and, consequently, limited number of trucks for humanitarian and commercial imports accessing the Gaza Strip. As a consequence of the heightened security at the Eretz crossing, the capacity of tracking and compiling imports by COGAT has been hampered to the point that the current report will focus only on the period 19 June (start of truce) up to 2nd July 2008.

The amount of imported commercial and humanitarian foods entering the Gaza Strip reached only 57.5% of basic needs during the reporting period from 19 June to 2 July2008, with imports as low as 29% against requirements in the week 26 June-2 July 2008 -crossing closed down in retaliation of the shooting of rocketsdown from an height of 86% in the preceding week of 19-25 June. This trend once again highlights that there is a potential to import the required food goods into Gaza Strip hence the importance of keeping the crossing operational at all times in order to ensure the flow of commodities and avoid shortages and price hikes.