Impact of the Humanitarian Crisis

United Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestine Refugees

In the Near East (UNRWA)

Health Department

Impact of the humanitarian crisis

in the occupied Palestinian territory

on people and services

Dr. Fathi Mousa, Director of Health

Dr. Haifa Madi, Chief, Health Protection & Promotion

October 2003

___________________________________________________________________________________

Maps and photos, Curtesy of PENGON, Passia and UNRWA Public Information Office

Design of cover page, Mr. Mahmoud Rahhal

United Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestine Refugees

In the Near East (UNRWA)

Department of Health

Impact of the humanitarian crisis

in the occupied Palestinian territory

on people and services

October 2003

Contents

I.

Introduction

II.

Humanitarian and Socio-economic conditions

1. Overview of the humanitarian and socio-economic conditions

2. The separation wall

3. UNRWA’s response

III.

Health conditions

1. Introduction

2. Increased demand on medical care services

3. Breakdown in delivery & quality of preventive services

4. Immediate and future challenges

IV.

Casualties

1. Introduction

2. Fatalities and injuries

3. Casualties among women and children

4. UNRWA personnel killed/injured

5. Disabilities

6. UNRWA’s response

V.

Food and Nutrition

1. Nutritional deficiencies

2. Iron deficiency anaemia

3. Food security, availability and accessibility

4. UNRWA’s food aid programme

VI.

Mental and psychological problems

1. The burdern of mental and psychological problems

2. UNRWA’s response

3. The future approach

VII.

Living and environmental conditions

1. House demolishing

2. Environmental conditions

VIII.

The way forward, future development needs

1. Introduction

2. Pre-requisites

3. Needs and priorities

List of abbreviations

I.

INTRODUCTION

1. Coupled with lack of progress towards peace and co-existence, thirty-three years of

Israeli occupation of Gaza...