“Gaza is not expected to be a liveable place by 2020”, quoted United Nation (UN). But the sad truth is actually fast-forwarded. Islamic Relief Palestine (IRP) Country Director, Muneeb Abu Al-Ghazali claimed that Gaza is already a place that is not liveable.

In Gaza, water is highly polluted with salinity, debris are dumped raw into the sea polluting beaches, solid waste issue has become a major headache for municipalities due to the absence of equipment as Israel set restrictions on them, and psychological stress amongst communities especially youth is unparalleled.

The last few months have shown the weakening of health system in the strip. Not to mention, being sick is now the new norm among Gazans that the condition has already captured the attention of UN general council to intervene.

Not only supplies are inadequate in hospitals, hygiene and electricity are badly affected as well.  Cleaning firms had to stop their service as they were not paid since half a year ago. Aside from power cuts, many hospitals suffer from fuel shortage which caused the ministry to close a number of hospitals and primary clinics.

Worse case, patients with severe health conditions that seek referrals outside Gaza strip went through a series of suffering on top of their illnesses; denied permissions to leave Gaza, companions denied or the least being approved but no travel cost entitled. Even the ones who gained approval to travel outside had to wait months after applying the permission.

It is also reported that children suffering from genetic disorders could barely find coverage for their treatment costs as such services are mostly offered at local non-government offices (NGO), which at the same time suffering from fund shortages.

The full report can be retrieved here for further reference.

Years of blockade and political conflict have crushed economic development and continue to increase poverty in Gaza. Initially, the conflict of Gaza can be dated back decades ago where there were clashes between Palestinians and Israelis. The depressing issue took place as a result of both parties that continuously fight with each other against the same land claims.

To date, the recurring issue does not seem to witness a solution. Last year alone, it was seen as the most difficult time for Gazans ever recorded in the last decade. Humanitarian aid, of which 80% of Gaza population rely on this aid has dwindled dramatically; impact of 10 years of closure and 3 consecutive military assaults are coming into effect aggressively.

Gaza is now advancing on the next level of difficulty. It was reported that children dropping out from schools and started begging on the streets just to feed the families at their shelters. People are now living under tents and in the streets because they could not afford to pay for the rent.

Statistics derived from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the truckloads entering Gaza have declined by 27% while import of humanitarian aid goods to Gaza has significantly dropped by 63% .

2018 will see major cuts in United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) support, cuts in United Nations Population Fund (UNFP), prolonging the conflict between two major political parties on who should have control over Gaza.

On the UN sustainable development website, it is declared “On 25^th September 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda.” While the international community is striving hard towards “no poverty” and “zero hunger” by 2030, Gaza is dejectedly still facing elevating poverty rates, from all walks of life.

The poor is becoming poorer and many businesses are on the verge of going bankrupt. Consequently, employees from private sectors are slowly losing their jobs and joining the Ministry of Social Affairs lists of social cases. It is a list which is already under tension due to fund shortage. Such calamity is taxing people into depression, addiction, aggressiveness, and heart attacks at young ages.

While the world might progress towards achieving a nation of “no poverty” and “zero hunger” by 2030, the case is vice-versa in Gaza. However, a major change in the situation can be implemented and facilitated by both local and international communities.

 

 

 

36 people were killed and 185 were reportedly wounded as a result of heavy clashes erupted in Aden and Lahj governorates between forces loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the internationally recognised Government of Yemen.

Islamic Relief (IR) is currently assisting 3,000 households with food assistance but initial data shows that 6,000 households are in urgent need of food assistance including non-food items (NFI). As there is an immediate need for food and NFIs IR Yemen would like to scale up the response to assist the remaining 3,000 households.

The International Programme Division (IPD) Emergency panel supported the proposed intervention and allocated £50,000 from the Humanitarian Rapid Response Fund (IR United Kingdom is the back donor of this this fund) to allow IR Yemen to initiate immediate scale up of distribution activities.

Islamic Relief has been operating in Yemen since 2004 and works through offices managed by local staff in Sa’dah, Hajja, Amran, Sana’a, Ma’rib and Dhamar.

 

Source: Islamic Relief Worldwide

 

Islamic Relief Somalia conducts geophysical survey of two boreholes drilling in #Balcad Middle Shabelle region. This is part of our projects we support to the vulnerable Somalis. This project was funded by Islamic Relief Malaysia.

Thank you Malaysian donors & others for making this happen.

 

Source: Islamic Relief Somalia