CARE International Statement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip

July 7, 2006 — CARE International warns that public institutions and non-government organizations working in the West Bank and Gaza are struggling to provide water, sanitation, food, health and social assistance in the Gaza Strip.   The recent destruction of essential infrastructure compounds the difficulties faced by thousands of Palestinians whose resilience has been tested over the last six months by increasing levels of violence, food shortages, and loss of incomes.

Of immediate concern is the impact of fuel and power shortages on access to water, disposal of sewage and maintenance of emergency health services.  Of longer term concern is the sharp decline in social protection of civilians and the psychological trauma of conflict on the civilian population, especially children.

CARE calls upon all parties to:

• actively support a resolution of the current crisis through peaceful means, and to
  
  
• ensure humanitarian access for Palestinian civilians living in Gaza to realize their critical needs. This requires that donors and the authorities on both sides facilitate access for humanitarian agencies by reducing burdensome restrictions and conditionality on assistance programs.