Occupied Palestinian Territories

WEST BANK, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES—In response to severe water shortages in the southern West Bank, international humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger | ACF International has improved access to water and sanitation for over 12,500 people in some of the places hardest hit by the 2009 drought.

Palestinian Territory—The international humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger | ACF International, in partnership with the Union of Agriculture Work Committees (UAWC) and Dura Cooperative Association for Agricultural Processing (DCAAP), announced today the launch of its second emergency employment project for Hebron Governorate. With funding from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), temporary job opportunities rehabilitating agricultural roads and in food production will be available for more than 550 unemployed men and women.

New York, NY — Action Against Hunger joined more than 25 non-governmental organizations and the United Nations today in issuing the following statement demanding an end to the Gaza blockade.

After 19 days of attacks and military intervention, the water and sanitation systems in the Gaza Strip are on the verge of total collapse. Despite difficulties of access, the global humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger / Action Contre la Faim (ACF) has begun trucking emergency supplies of clean water to some 48,000 people in Gaza.

Over the last 12 days, Gaza’s 1.5 million inhabitants—1 million of whom are women and children—have been subjected to constant aerial, sea, and land-based bombardments without any way to escape the violence. The global humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger / Action Contre la Faim (ACF) calls upon all sides to cease hostilities and allow for humanitarian assistance to reach the displaced in Gaza.

With international attention recently focused on Gaza, desperation in the West Bank is often overlooked. Shepherding communities living in zone C in Tubas district (under Israeli control) are facing freezing temperatures and an extended period of drought with limited resources. The region received 23% less rainfall this year with significant consequences for the pastures where sheep graze—the main source of income in the region.

Although temporary opening of Karni brought minimal supplies to markets, the population does not have enough money left to pay for food. Prices are increasing rapidly and this, combined with dwindling household incomes and a dire conflict-related economic collapse, means that people are having to survive on less food and of inferior quality.