Projects Promoting Individual's Rehabilitation

Already Gaza Strip is known for its high density, high rate of unemployment and high rate of poverty.  The continued harsh restrictions imposed by the Israeli Army made tens of thousands penned into their miserable concrete warrens and tents.  Almost all labour force has been turned out of jobs in Israel, and tens of thousands of others have lost local work mainly in construction, agriculture industries because of the total siege, the uprooting of fruitful trees and the prevention of farmers from reaching their fields, and the destruction of workshops and factories.  In addition, fishermen had been either prevented or restricted to a much smaller area close to the seashore which does not provide enough catch for the livelihood of the fishermen and their families.  More families in the Gaza Strip became refugees once again after their homes were completely demolished, while other thousands suffered major damage to their homes.

The populations in the camps and cities of Gaza Strip have lived for over two years with closures and checkpoints that have ravaged their economy.  Over two-thirds are unemployed and over 80% are living below the poverty line of US $ 2 per day.

The effect of this economic collapse was felt first in the erosion of family savings, followed by increased indebtedness and then the forced sale of household possessions.

The Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are suffering in the main from micro-nutrient deficiencies – what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls the "hidden hunger".  Micronutrient deficient children fail to grow and develop normally. 

Small grants at an average of US$ 43-50, were provided on case-by-case basis for 7848 hardship  families constituting approximately 54,900 persons.  The bulk of this support was made available thanks to WCC/ACT in response to emergency appeals in addition to special donations provided by CCFD and Diocese of Gulf and Cyprus.  The identification of families in the southern and northern districts was coordinated with local NGOs, Governorates, Communities and Municipalities.

Those poor families were able to provide basic food amenities for their children and met other urgent needs from this small cash assistance.

It would be necessary in future to increase the relief budget lines and attract extra funds to provide assistance to the families who are in dire need of basic provisions if such critical situation would continue.

Social studies made for the families who received assistance defined as follows: