ICRC official: Humanitarian situation in Gaza 'under much pressure'

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sub-delegation in the Gaza Strip, Christian Cardon, has said that the humanitarian and service situation in Gaza is “under much pressure” and urgently called to find sustainable solutions for the chronic problems.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Cardon explained that basic services in the Strip are facing the danger of imminent collapse because of the accumulation of problems after eight years of Israel’s blockade against the Palestinians in Gaza.

He noted that unemployment, the continuous shortage of fuel and the loss of construction and other basic materials and equipment mark the daily life of Gaza’s residents. This causes negative effects on public health and infrastructure, like running water, hospitals and the electricity grid.

Regarding the health situation, Cardon said that there are severe shortages of medical equipment and medicines. The supply of medicines has declined by 35 per cent, and even when people do find the medicines they need they often cannot afford them. According to him, this contributes to the deterioration of public health in the already exhausted hospitals and clinics.

Cardon said that the local and regional political situation, including the closure of the Rafah Crossing and destruction of the tunnels, has contributed to the proliferation of problems facing the Strip. For example, the severe loss of construction materials had undermined production across many sectors.

According to his calculations, the unemployment rate in Gaza remains among the highest in the world. Last year, the unemployment rate increased by 10 per cent during the second half of the year after Egypt’s policies reinforced the Israeli siege and a total of 60,000 workers lost their jobs.

Another reason for the deteriorating situation is the increase in the price of basic goods. He noted that fuel prices alone doubled during the second half of 2013. He said that Gaza’s economy hardly fulfils 15 per cent of the people’s demand for fuel and 40 per cent for gasoline.

Regarding the construction materials, he said that the Strip is deprived of an average of 360,000 tons every month. Existing construction materials fulfil less than 10 per cent of the daily demand.

Cardon concluded that the further worsening of the humanitarian and service situation in the Strip will only lead to more problems of instability and violence among its residents.