Appeal

Occupied Palestinian Territories

Follow on appeal Gaza Crisis - MEPL81

Appeal Target: US$ 2,749,384

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: US$ 1,324,384

Geneva, 18 July 2008

Since the beginning of the second Intifada in September 2000, the political, economic and social conditions have continued to deteriorate for the 3.8 million Palestinians living in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT).

The ACT alliance has responded to the emergency with a number of appeals to alleviate the suffering of the population in both Gaza and the West Bank. In 2007, ACT launched an appeal following the Gaza crisis, when intensive factional fighting between Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip left over 650 casualties, with more than 100 persons killed.

Since then, the overall humanitarian conditions for the population in the OPT have continued to deteriorate. One of the reasons for this is the continued Israeli occupation, combined with an expansion of settlements being built in the West Bank. The construction of a separation wall has further exacerbated the situation reducing access to more than 10% of the land between the formal border and the West Bank.

In Gaza, the population continues to suffer from the extended blockade, closure of crossing points and severe limitations on basic supplies being allowed into the territories. These policies, as a reaction to rocket attacks by militants on Israel, have been characterised by top UN officials as "collective punishment".

The situation in the OPT remains dire. According to both the UN and the World Bank sources, the poverty rate stands at 59% and food insecurity affects at least 38% of the population. The unemployment rate has increased to over 32% in the OPT with an average of 27% and 37% between the West Bank and Gaza Strip respectively.

Against this background, ACT members Middle East Council of Churches/Department of Service to Palestine Refugees (MECC/DSPR), International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), YMCA East Jerusalem, and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) with its partner Al Ahli Hospital will respond through a coordinated appeal to mitigate the suffering of the most vulnerable population in both Gaza and the West Bank.

The MECC/DSPR is proposing to create 127 emergency jobs for three months, provide essential food or the cash equivalent for 3,120 families in both the West Bank and Gaza and cover health care fees of 520 families attending primary health clinics in the Gaza Strip.

IOCC/ YMCA plan to jointly provide 44 families with assistance in agricultural training and production facilities. 8,500 workdays will be generated to rehabilitate community infrastructure and provide relief materials through networks and partners in both Gaza and the West Bank. IOCC will work to provide medical and educational supplies and medicine for up to 55,000 people through in-kind contributions.

NCA plans together with its partner Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza to provide fuel and medicaments to the Hospital, and medical services to 2,600 out patients, 50 children with burns, treatment for 300 malnourished children, 300 chronically ill women, diagnostic mammography screening for 200 women and food for 200 poor women. In addition, Al Ahli will provide health care training courses for 60 attendants.

In addition to this appeal, the ACT Forum members plan to explore alternative strategies aiming to ensure a sustainable improvement for the population, apart from providing emergency assistance.

Project Completion Dates:

DSPR: 21 July 2008 - 31 December 2008

IOCC/YMCA: 1 August 2008 - 31 July 2009

NCA / Al Ahli: 1 August 2008 - 31 July 2009

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FOR THE FULL TEXTS AND BUDGETS OF THE APPEAL (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. ________________________________________________________________________________

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer Michael Zschiegner (mzs@act-intl.org) of all pledges/ contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for back-donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.