An Escalating Crisis in the West Bank

How contributions to Anera’s emergency fund can directly impact vulnerable families.

With the horrors unfolding in Gaza and political upheaval in the U.S., it can be easy to overlook the escalating crisis in the West Bank. But we cannot and should not look away. Since early March 2023, the West Bank has experienced intense military operations, leading to significant displacement and destruction. The situation deteriorates there daily. 

Israeli military operations and settler violence are forcing people to flee, particularly in northern West Bank. Raids, demolitions and clashes, severely affected cities like Qalqiliya, Jenin, Tulkarem and Nablus. In Jenin, 600+ homes have been rendered uninhabitable. And, more recently, in Tulkarem City, 850 people have recently been forced to flee by Israeli forces. Bedouin and herding communities are particularly vulnerable to settler attacks and have been pushed their lands in ever larger numbers. 

Infrastructure damage, especially to water and sanitation systems, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, causing severe water shortages and public health concerns. The conflict’s toll on education is also mounting: ten UNRWA schools serving more than 4,400 students remain shuttered. Access to healthcare is also severely impacted, with only 61% of health facilities fully operational.

As Palestinian the needs continue to grow, Anera is launching an emergency response initiative focused on the following priorities: food security; healthcare; education and psychosocial support (PSS); water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and non-food item (NFI) distribution. 

Anera has plans to support 18,500 individuals through tekias (community kitchens), food vouchers, vegetable basket vouchers, and baby milk and formula. With your help, Anera can also support the health and well-being of over 32,000 individuals through support for Palestinian hospitals, medical donations, and first aid kits.

In terms of education, Anera plans to support dozens of teachers and over 6,000 children through support for schools, educational materials, and summer camps for children. Your support can also provide over 5,000 individuals with essential hygiene items, and over 16,000 individuals with much needed clothing, blankets, and other essential items.

Across the West Bank the violence has reached unprecedented levels. Since early 2023, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed with another 16,000 injured. 

Israeli forces have increased access restrictions, installing new checkpoints and roadblocks that hinder movement, cutting off communities from markets, workplaces and emergency services.

Bethlehem is one example of what cities and towns across the West Bank face. Tamara Handal, an Anera staff member from Bethlehem, describes life in her hometown as living in a cage. 

Since the war in Gaza began, it has become a ghost town. Streets are empty, businesses have shuttered, and soldiers regularly patrol the city. Israel’s towering separation wall encircles the city, and movement to get outside of its borders is a daily struggle. Each morning, Tamara scans checkpoint updates before commuting to Anera’s Jerusalem office, never certain whether the journey will take 45 minutes or several hours. Her children face their own obstacles — uncertain if their schools will be open today, or what opportunities will be left for them in the future.

All of Anera’s staff in the West Bank face similar challenges, whether commuting to our offices or to work sites. They stay in close contact with each other to determine whether movement is safe or viable. Often they are forced to forego the site visits that used to be an integral part of their program work. The uncertainty of their situation is an ever-present strain and worry.

Anera’s response will scale up as the needs grow in the West Bank. If you would like to make a contribution to our emergency fund for the West Bank – delivering aid of all kinds, from food to education – please give now: anera.org/donate

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