Summary: January 17, 2001: Commission approves €14.6 million in emergency aid for victims of the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories (Brussels)
The European Commission has approved two funding decisions totaling €14.6 million to help victims of the developing humanitarian crisis in the territories run by Palestinian Authority. The aid is being channelled through the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO). The main objective of the Commission's intervention is to tackle the growing risk of food insecurity and to prevent malnutrition among the most marginalized groups affected by the conflict.
The violence that has occurred since September 28 has attracted considerable international media attention. Less publicized is the negative economic and social impact, which this is having on civilians in the affected areas. In addition to the numerous deaths and injuries, and physical damage to property, 125,000 Palestinians have lost their jobs as a result of being unable to travel to Israel. Further economic problems arise from the difficulties facing people who wish to travel between the
various parts of the fragmented territory under Palestinian control.
Some 220,000 families have approached the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has launched an appeal to support its contingency plan to tackle the immediate and urgent needs of refugees. The Commission's support is targeted at vulnerable refugee families living in the West Bank and Gaza who will receive supplies of basic food commodities.
Various reports have stressed the immense psychological impact of the crisis on children and their families. In this context, funds are also being provided to train animators and support trauma counseling in 18 centers for women and children in Gaza. ECHO's partner for this action is Enfants Refugiés du Monde (ERDM).
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