There is serious concern in the international humanitarian sector that aid provided to the Palestinian population acts merely as a bandage that is forestalling the absolute collapse of living conditions in the region as the ongoing political crisis deepens.  Recent movement in the US Congress has frozen all aid to Palestine until a determination has been made regarding UN recognition of Palestinian statehood.  While everyone will suffer as a result, Palestinian children will experience the abrupt decline in aid most severely.

Palestine is one of the most complex aid environments for humanitarian agencies which, just like the population, face their own set of obstacles and limitations in the delivery of aid.  In addition to the US policy of “no-contact” with certain government officials which further ties our hands and wastes precious resources that could be used to feed children, the blockade prevents our work from providing a means for Palestinians to free themselves from dependency on others and embark on a path of true self-determination.

The over 4 year blockade of goods necessary for the health, well-being, and educational needs continues to infringe on the rights and human dignity of the Palestinian population.

Today in Gaza, those that can afford to purchase food are spending an average of 61 percent of their total expenditures while most families are unable to provide their children with even the most basic nutritional needs. The prevalence of food insecurity in Gaza in absolute terms is over 821,000 according the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics – more than half the population, two thirds of whom are children.

Parents are doing their best to cope and are bracing for further reductions as politics continue to determine their future and whether or what their children eat.  Families are eating less food that is of poorer quality due to rising costs and lack of funds, causing them to use credit or forego other necessities. Over 80% of the population is dependent on humanitarian aid and 18% of elementary school age children have left the classroom in order to work and  help their families survive. Too many children are hungry while their parents are powerless to help in the face of the ongoing blockade.

The psychological trauma children are facing due to the ongoing siege is further aggravated by regular exposure to violence and the persistent violations of their basic human rights.

While Palestinians struggle to remain whole and humane despite the profound inequities, KinderUSA continues its work in Gaza providing a springboard to a future that the children will create.  "Our commitment to their survival and well-being," said KinderUSA Chairperson Dr. Laila Al-Marayati, "offers at least a small glimmer of hope that their suffering will one day come to an end."

A recent report by Israeli human rights groups, Gisha and Physicians for Human Rights, revealed that Palestinians continue to suffer from severe restrictions on freedom of movement which impacts all levels of society.

Currently, Israel issues approximately 3,000 permits to Palestinians to pass through Erez Crossing compared to more than half a million in September of 2000.  Individual permits were gradually restricted, up until the establishment of the current criteria, which permit exit from Gaza solely “in exceptional humanitarian cases, with an emphasis on urgent medical cases.”

The only crossing for goods that remains in operation is Kerem Shalom, situated inside Israeli territory close to the joint border of Israel, the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Tunnels connecting Egypt to Gaza proliferate, bypassing the Israeli blockade under dangerous conditions and black market exploitation.

Goods identified as “dual use” are prohibited, including construction materials except those earmarked for some international projects.  In 2009, processed humus was allowed to enter Gaza after two years of being banned, however, humus with pine nuts and mushrooms is still on the prohibited list.  According to Gisha, “From June 2007-June 2010, Israel allowed entry into Gaza only of goods “vital for the survival of the civilian population”.”  Further, a “mathematical formula” was devised to determine quantity and types of food Gazans could consume.

The prohibition list was abolished last year although the ban on construction materials such as cement, gravel, and asphalt still exists.  Homes and schools sit without benefit of repair and/or construction since the 2008-2009 Israeli military operations as does the sewage system.   Less than 1% of the homes completely destroyed in 2009 have been rebuilt affecting more than 30,000 Palestinians. In August 2011, construction materials entering have reached their lowest point since the “easing of the blockade”.

Severe restrictions on movement of people and goods perpetuate the atmosphere of deprivation, violence and assaults on the most basic human rights of Gaza's children and their families on a daily basis.  Over 40% of Gazan children live in poverty, over 60% are food insecure as defined by the World Food Program and over 80% are dependent on humanitarian aid.   In addition, 18% of elementary school age children have left the classroom in order to work and thus help their families survive. Too many children are hungry while their parents are powerless to help in the face of the ongoing blockade.

KinderUSA’s Ramadan program provided nourishing meals to over 14,000 individuals, many of whom expressed heartfelt thanks to the donors for providing enough food to feed their families. Yet they are asking that we continue the program throughout the year since they are unable to provide such foods for their children on a regular basis.

“We constantly worry about the long-term effects of the siege on the emotional, mental and physical well-being of children and young people. We will continue to do our part to make a positive difference in their lives," said KinderUSA Chairperson, Dr. Laila Al-Marayati.

KinderUSA will continue this program through the end of this month, and insha’Allah, with your continued support, through the end of the year.

Approaching the month of Ramadan, Kinder USA is all the more mindful of the need to support needy Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.  Restrictions on movement and access is an everyday reality in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) not to mention the humiliating searches at checkpoints and never knowing for sure if they will make it to their destination or back home.

In the Gaza Strip, a permit system is augmented by control over a ‘buffer zone’ between Gaza and Israel in addition to the ongoing sea blockade (please see video http://alturl.com/2cjiq) . These restrictions also affect the movement and access of international organizations operating in the oPt which translates into goods held at checkpoints or ports further impeding humanitarian and development work in the territory. The ongoing strangling restrictions affect the most vulnerable populations in need of aid and while significantly increasing the costs of delivering assistance.

Life is not getting better; in fact Palestinian children live daily with threats of killing, injury, poverty, displacement, detention, psychological distress and low learning achievement (UNICEF).  In Gaza, there continues to be widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and road networks. For many, access to basic lifesaving services, including food, water, health care and shelter can be fatal.

Agriculture, according to the World Bank, is the one sector that showed signs of improvement in 2010 with women depending more and more on employment in this area to care for their families.  Kinder USA’s unique feature of our Ramadan program is the central role played by women cooperatives in both the West Bank and Gaza in developing the food baskets. In Gaza, the women cooperatives will produce dairy and agriculture products for distribution to all of our beneficiaries, while in the West Bank, women centers and associations in 10 villages in Jenin are also the core of the Kinder USA farmer’s project, cultivating their goods and filling our food basket with live poultry, dairy, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

With the crushing blockade continuing in Gaza, and the draconian restrictions on movement in the West Bank, the idea of hope for many Palestinian children and their families has been long lost and replaced with despair.  It is our job to reverse this paucity of faith.  Please consider making an online donation today and supporting our farmer’s project which is already in progress and continues through the end of the year.  For $110 you can assist Kinder USA in providing enough food for a child and his/her family during the entire month of Ramadan, while supporting impoverished local farmers and women’s groups who will continue to support their families throughout the year.