Skip to main content

Occupied Palestinian territory Consolidated Appeal 2013

Countries
oPt
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

The prolonged stalemate in the Middle East peace process, occupation, ongoing conflict, continued access restrictions, and internal Palestinian divisions have resulted in a protracted protection crisis. Serious protection threats and human rights violations have continued throughout 2012, with Palestinian communities subject to policies that undermine their ability to live normal and self-sustaining lives. This has resulted in entrenched levels of food insecurity and continued dependence on humanitarian aid. As outlined in the 2012 Consolidated Appeal (CAP) and its two-year plan, the most salient features of the longstanding Israeli occupation remain largely unchanged and, as a result, the nature and the scope of humanitarian needs have not been reduced. The fragility of the political situation was underlined by the recent escalation in violence in Gaza during November, when some 12,000 Palestinians were temporarily displaced. The escalation exacerbated an already fragile humanitarian situation.

Humanitarian assistance in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) is critical to prevent a further deterioration in the protection of the civilian population, improve food security, ensure access to basic services, and prevent forced displacement. Food security and improving the protection environment are the key humanitarian concerns in oPt. An estimated 1.26 million Palestinians are food-insecure. The on-going conflict and occupation are the principal drivers of food insecurity. The restrictions on movement of people and goods in particular are contributing to higher prices of basic food commodities, and reducing the purchasing power of many vulnerable families. The policies and practices related to the occupation and the conflict have continued to steadily erode the access of the Palestinian population to essential services such as education and health care, which increases vulnerability. As the occupying power, the State of Israel has an obligation to protect the Palestinian population and to administer its occupation in a manner that respects their rights and well-being.

The 2013 Consolidated Appeal outlines the humanitarian community’s strategy to address the most urgent humanitarian and protection needs, focusing on the two priorities outlined in the 2012-2013 common humanitarian action plan (CHAP):

  • Improving the protection environment for Palestinian communities most at risk, including access to services.

  • Tackling food insecurity among the most vulnerable communities in the Gaza Strip, Area C of the West Bank, the Seam Zone and East Jerusalem.

The 2013 CAP requests US$374 million to implement 144 projects in 2013 to meet these objectives. Longer-term development needs will be identified in the upcoming United Nations Development Assistance Framework for oPt.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.