Two weeks into the Gaza war, more than 100,000 people are internally displaced. Their supplies of food and water are running low.
The bombings of the Gaza Strip in the past two weeks has crushed neighborhoods and sent thousands of people fleeing. According to the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, OCHA, an increasing portion of the internally displaced are now in need of humanitarian aid.
“We are increasingly worried about the humanitarian situation. We hope for a ceasefire between the two parties, but even when that happens, there is need for major relief efforts in Gaza”, said Secretary General of Norwegian People's Aid, Liv Tørres.
Norwegian People's Aid’s project coordinator in Gaza, Mahmoud Hamada, describes the situation on his blog: “The farmers cannot reach their crops to water or harvest them. The livestock is not being fed. The fishermen dare not venture out to sea after Israeli warships began firing at fishing piers. Wells and irrigation systems are also being bombed, in addition to sewer systems. As a result, there is great worry over the groundwater being contaminated”, he writes.
Decades of war and blockade
After years of blockade, war and isolation, Gaza is completely run down. Health services are inadequate, the education system is weak and children are struggling with trauma after growing up with war and isolation.
In Gaza City, the power supply is cut 20 hours a day, while other places don’t have electricity at all. Israel has also cut or restricted water supplies for 1.2 million Palestinians. “Even before this war started, a large part of the population in Gaza was dependent on humanitarian aid. Israel has closed the borders, and is controlling the airspace, water supply and ports. Gaza lacks everything: food, bandages, medicines and water”, said Tørres.
Nowhere to escape
As a result of the bombing and ground invasion, several areas are now inaccessible to relief workers. In other places, civilians are afraid to leave their houses. The lack of food and water also sends prices skyrocketing.
As Israel continues its offensive, an increasing number of Palestinians evacuate their homes. Nearly half of the Gaza Strip is now considered "no-go zone."“Civilians are told they have to evacuate, but where will they go? The Gaza Strip is trapped between Israel and Egypt, both of which have closed the borders, and the Mediterranean Sea which is controlled by Israel. They are locked up, and all they can do is seek shelter as best they can”, said Tørres.
Another of Norwegian People's Aid staff in Gaza, Wedad Naser, writes this on her blog: “Since the ground attacks began in Gaza, things have gone from bad to worse. People in the border areas are suffering hard. Some of them have evacuated, but others say they will not go and would prefer to die in their homes if they are attacked by the IDF.
Fundraising Campaign
Norwegian People's Aid has started a fundraising campaign to help the civilian population in Gaza. “We will do what we can in cooperation with our local partners to assist in the humanitarian situation that has arisen. Right now it's hard to work while the bombs are falling but we are ready to start working again as soon as it is safe. The needs will be great and immediate, said Liv Tørres.