IASC Weekly (NY) - on oPt
New York
Richard Cook, Director of UNWRA give an update on the humanitarian situation in oPt and presents the recent humanitarian appeal.
Meeting Documents
UNRWA’s Emergency Programme in the occupied Palestinian territory
Despite some improvements in the economic situation, refugees continue to experience higher levels of unemployment and less growth than non-refugees throughout the oPt. In the West Bank, many refugees are currently under threat of forced displacement or settler violence. The number of home demolitions quadrupled in 2011 compared to 2010 and the escalation in settler violence is a worrisome upward trend. The blockade is turning Gaza into an institutionalized welfare state, where more than 50 percent of refugees are dependent on UNRWA food assistance. High levels of unemployment continue to persist. The vicious cycle of unemployment-food insecurity-aid dependency will continue in 2012 as there is no expected change in the humanitarian situation in the oPt. Mr. Cook will provide an overview on the situation in the West Bank and Gaza and introduce UNRWA’s 2012 Emergency Appeal for the Occupied Palestinian territory.