March 5, 2008 | “When you live a normal life, this is abnormal in Gaza,” so say the residents of Gaza.

For seven months Gaza has been under a comprehensive siege, with essential goods like food and medicine in dangerously low supply. Local statistics show that 80% of the population is unemployed and 90% of Gazans live in poverty, with most of them depending on humanitarian assistance. On Sunday, March 2, the situation grew worse than ever.

Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, in the north of Gaza, suffered a military incursion that killed 118 people, of whom 55 were civilians and 27 were children. More than 200 people were wounded, a quarter of them children.

• Over 70% of Gaza children have suffered trauma, stress and depression. Their only fun is to join their fathers in endless bread lines hoping to get some food before it’s all gone.

• On the same day as the military operation, ANERA – against all odds – received and distributed a new shipment of milk in order to provide daily fortified milk to 20,000 preschoolers.

• A lack of fuel prevents many ambulances from performing their jobs at this critical time. And even if the promised 2.2 million liters of fuel is allowed in, it will mean that Gaza will only have enough to keep hospital generators and some water pumps going for three days.

• At the ANERA office, there is so little gas that we share and rotate vehicles according to who is lucky enough to find a little fuel.

• Several communities in Gaza are at risk of a public health disaster because of flooding sewage and lack of potable water. Kids are particularly vulnerable to the kinds of diseases incubated in this unhealthy environment.

• ANERA is distributing shipments of medicines and other health care supplies imported through the Sufa crossing.

 

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