150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel: 41 22 791 6033 Fax: 41 22 791 6506 E-mail: [email protected] Appeal Coordinating Office Occupied Palestinian Territories Gaza Crisis – MEPL81 (Revision 2) Appeal Target: US$ 6,964,830 Contributions/ pledges received: US$ 4,115,241 Balance requested: US$ 2,849,589 Geneva, 4 May 2009 Dear Colleagues, The Gaza Strip has experienced a devastating war with the attacks by the Israeli army on Gaza between 27 December 2008 and 18 January. The attacks were preceded by 18 months of blockade by Israel and ongoing rocket fire by Hamas militants on Israel. The war has caused 1,430 dead and 5,300 injured according to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, and about 90,000 homeless amongst the Palestinian population. The majority of causalities have been civilians, many of which women and children. In addition, 4,100 homes were totally destroyed and another 17,000 structures damaged, eight schools completely destroyed, 179 schools suffered significant damage; 92 mosques were fully or partially destroyed. Already before fighting started, 95 % of the private sector was paralysed, and most of the people laid off. The war inflicted even more damage, destroying factories, workshops and affecting 60% of the agricultural land. After the mutual unilateral ceasefire, the borders remain closed for many vital goods and also basic humanitarian supplies. The 1.5 million Gazan people continue suffering from acute shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies, more than half of them children. They are living in one of the world's most densely populated areas with no freedom of movement. With access virtually cut off since June 2007, poverty, unemployment, and basic supply shortages remain critical and desperation in Gaza is dire. ACT members and implementing partner organizations have also been targets of bombardments, resulting in casualties and immense damage. Three mobile health clinics, supported by DCA, were destroyed in an Israeli air strike. A clinic in Shaja’ih in Gaza city, run by DSPR, was also struck by Israeli missiles, the building and medical equipment and supplies entirely destroyed. 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. Gaza Crisis 2 MEPL81, Revision 2 ACT members, DSPR, IOCC, YMCA; NCA, and DCA organized in the ACT Palestine Forum, have been actively supporting the population in Gaza since July 2008 and scaled up their support after the attacks started. ACT Palestine Forum members have been able to deliver emergency relief materials including high energy biscuits, blankets and medicines before the cease fire was in place. The appeal revision 1 was launched on 16 January to allow members to scale up their response on short notice and before a more detailed planning was arranged. The revision included immediate relief activities for the period of three months including food supplements, medicines, medical supplies and equipment, cash for food and cash for work. Special emphasis was laid on the provision of psychosocial assistance, facilitated by FinnChurchAid (FCA). FCA fielded a psychosocial consultant to assist the members active in Gaza in stepping up their work in community based psychosocial actions, staff care and staff training. Preparation of this work was tedious in the face of the closed border and limited access to Gaza. This appeal MEPL81 revision 2 takes into account the escalation of violence and its impact on the population. The appeal will be extended until the end of 2009 to continue the support to most vulnerable families. Members will provide job opportunities, income from agriculture, emergency relief, educational and medical supplies. In addition, DSPR proposes to reconstruct the clinic that was bombed for which a detailed project will be worked out. The appeal includes to a limited extent also activities for the West Bank, planned by DSPR. Coordination: In agreement with members of the forum, NCA has seconded a coordinator for a three month crisis period with the task to strengthen the coordination and communication pertaining to the appeal implementation and support the forum structure in relation to emergency planning. Part-time coordinators in Gaza and Jerusalem will ensure proper coordination between members and other players. Separate component is planned for Community Based Psychosocial activities to enhance the capacity of members active in the field, as the impact of violence on the daily live of the population is tremendous. A psycho-social consultant is engaged support the members in the implementation of their activities, including staff care meetings and Training of trainers sessions. Evaluation: an external evaluation is planned given the importance of the appeal both in terms of volume of funding and the challenges of the context and complexity of coordination. MEMBER ACRONYMS: DSPR/MECC: Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches IOCC: International Orthodox Christian Charities YMCA: Young Men Christian Association, East Jerusalem NCA: Norwegian Church Aid DCA: DanChurchAid FCA: FinnChurchAid CoS: Church of Sweden Project Completion Date: DSPR : 17 July 2008 – 31 December 2009 IOCC/YMCA: 17 July 2008 – 31 December 2009 NCA: 1 August 2008 – 31 December 2009 DCA: 7 January, 2009 –31 December, 2009. Gaza Crisis 3 MEPL81, Revision 2 Reporting as per ACT Guidelines: Reports due to Interim narrative & financial Final narrative & financial Audit ACT CO reports reports DSPR 31 July 2009 28 February 2010 31 March 2010 IOCC/YMCA 31 July 2009 28 February 2010 31 March 2010 NCA 31 July 2009 28 February 2010 31 March 2010 DCA 31 July 2009 28 February 2010 31 March 2010 COORDINATION 31 July 2009 28 February 2010 31 March 2010 Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested DSPR IOCC / NCA DCA COORD PSYCOSOCIAL EVAL TOTAL YMCA Appeal Target(s) 1,854,124 3,095,913 1,178,982 496,777 99,362 199,672 40,000 6,964,830 Less: Pledges/Contr. 875,262 2,520,930 420,601 123,553 76,770 98125 0 4,115,241 Balance Requested from ACT Alliance 978,862 574,983 758,381 373,224 22,592 101,547 40,000 2,849,589 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 ([email protected]) and the Programme Officer Michael Zschiegner ([email protected]) 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. For further information please contact: Director, John Nduna (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or ACT Program Officer, Michael Zschiegner, (phone +41 22 791 6420 or mobile phone +41 79 608 8133) ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org John Nduna Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office Gaza Crisis 4 MEPL81, Revision 2 A. DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION Impact of the war The Gaza Strip has experienced a devastating war with the attacks by the Israeli army on Gaza between 27 December 2008 and 18 January. The attacks were preceded by 18 months of blockade by Israel and ongoing rocket fire by Hamas militants on Israel. The war has caused 1,430 dead and 5,300 injured (according to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights), and in access of 90,000 homeless amongst the Palestinian population. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 40 % of the casualties estimated to be children and women. In addition, 4,100 homes had been totally destroyed and another 17,000 structures damaged – more than 14% of the overall number in Gaza. Eight schools, were completely destroyed, 179 schools suffered significant damaged; 92 mosques were fully or partially destroyed. Already before fighting started, 95 % of the private sector was paralysed, most of the people laid off. The war inflicted even more damage, destroying factories, workshops: seven main textile factories and 22 of 29 concrete factories were destroyed, 60% of the agricultural land, was harmed. After the mutual unilateral ceasefire, the borders remain closed for many goods. The access to goods is restricted to a bare minimum of basic humanitarian supplies, Egypt allows only medicine to enter directly. Three months after the war, the Gaza is still cut off from important food items. Children lack basic food and serious nutrition deficits for small children, pregnant /lactating women and elderly is a danger. Many Gaza residents are now homeless and without access to temporary shelters and protection from the cold. Community and individual trauma is widespread and will have a long term effect. Background of the Emergency The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The conflict is rooted in a long term dispute over land claimed by Jews as their biblical birthright and by the Palestinians, who seek self-determination. This has resulted in factional conflicts and the world’s longest continuing refugee crisis with more than 40 percent (1.7 million) of West Bank and Gaza Palestinians living as refugees, many living in crowded refugee camps. Despite repeated attempts to end the Israeli –Palestinian conflict, there is no peace settlement in sight. Neither side has lived up to commitments outlined in the “2003 roadmap” – which was designed as a phased timetable to lead to a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.