Dr. Mohammed Alsousi, Islamic Relief (IR) Palestine’s Head of Mission, is on the ground in Gaza. Here he describes life under siege and appeals to IR donors for their continued support.
Has the situation improved since people crossed into Egypt in order to stock up with essential supplies?
Once they crossed into Egypt people rushed to stock up on temporary and essential food supplies. They couldn’t bring more than they could carry and once inside Rafah they had to walk for several kilometres in order to buy a small amount of food for their families, which would in fact last only for a few days.
People need constant rather than temporary sources of food.
Those who crossed the border are of two kinds: those who had some money to buy food and those who had no money and just wanted to feel some freedom. The vast majority of people didn't move out of Gaza because they are too poor.
Unemployment rates are still rising and patients are still dying because they can’t travel for medical treatment outside Gaza.
Are there still power cuts and fuel and food shortages?
Small amounts of power, fuel and food supplies are being allowed into Gaza through the Israeli crossings which are still closed. With fuel, people can buy only 10 or 20 litres for their cars, but not enough for generating power. So far, the amount of fuel supplied to the main power station is still limited and people have electricity for only a few hours a day.
Regarding food, people are totally dependent on charitable organisations, as the limited food items available in the local market are way too expensive and people can't afford to buy them.
The opening of some parts of Egypt for Gazans did not change the situation. It is the same. The crisis is the same with no change.
Is humanitarian aid getting through? To what extent is aid being restricted by the sanctions?
UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency] aid is getting through as they coordinate with the Israeli authorities; though the process of coordination can take weeks. The aid entering Gaza is not enough and needs to be increased as soon as possible.
How dependant on humanitarian relief agencies are the people of Gaza?
The Gaza Strip’s population is one and a half million inhabitants; one million of them are totally dependant on relief agencies as they have no income. Humanitarian aid means life for Gazans and death if it stops. We are approaching a situation now where virtually all the population is dependent on international aid supplies.
Who is worst affected by the current situation? What is the most urgent need of the people of Gaza?
The worst affected by the current situation are the citizens, in other words, 1.5 million people are directly and desperately affected by the current siege. Hundreds of thousands of people have been made unemployed, hospitals lack essential medicines and machines to perform operations. This shortage affects all people, not only the poor. Ninety six percent of industrial factories have been closed, and that has increased unemployment dramatically. There are hundreds of patients likely to die because of the siege.
The crisis is huge as is the responsibility of charitable organisations. These organisations need to double their budget and effort in order to help the Gazans.
IR is under a lot of pressure because people are knocking on our door daily asking for help. We need more funds in order to cope with the massive needs of the people.
What are the biggest challenges facing IR Palestine?
The only challenge that faces IR Palestine is money. The needs of the Gazans are huge and the money needs to be more. More money means more projects, more emergency distribution of essential supplies and more relief for people. We have launched an appeal for Gaza in order to raise £5 million and the Gazans are really hoping this amount of money will reach them as soon as possible.
Is IR still carrying out its long-term projects in Gaza or have they been put on hold due to the current emergency?
Yes, IR Palestine is still carrying-out long-term projects. A few projects have been temporarily stopped due to the current crisis (such as Poor House Rehabilitation) because of a shortage of materials, but they will continue as soon as the crisis ends.
We are working day and night to respond to and help the needy people in Gaza.
There are two main strands to our work: the first is immediate response; supplying hospitals with medicine and disposables, and supplying food and gas lights to poor families. The second is the long term projects such as ensuring constant supplies can be provided to families.
You can help by making an online donation or telephoning:
UK : + 44 121 622 0622
USA : +1 818 238 95 20
France : +33 149 171717
Germany : + 49 221 200 499-0
Holland : + 31 206 160 022
Belgium : + 32 22 198 184
Switzerland : +41 227 320 273
Malaysia : + 60389486334
Sweden : + 4687303660
Mauritius : + 2302102348
South Africa : + 27118361054
Italy : + 39 34 703 41183
Worldwide: +44 121 622 0622
