Food rations cut as UN in Gaza faces bankruptcy

THE UN’s agency in Gaza, on which much of the population depends for food is close to bankrupt, has reduced food rations, and will not be able to pay teachers, doctors and nurses past October, John Ging has warned.

The Irishman, who is director of UNRWA and based in Gaza, said they have only raised 15% of the $252 million (€206m) they need for this year and they have been pledged only an additional 15%.

It means less food for the 800,000 people in the strip that depend on UN food rations of five items, and the number of calories they get from their ration is down to 40% of standard requirements.

“Even though people in Gaza are more food insecure, such is the budget restraint that we have malnutrition and hunger. People are not starving, but people are perpetually in hunger and this is having an effect on children’s development.”

He blamed the financial crisis for the drop in international contributions and said he could understand that taxpayers were suffering from donor fatigue. But it offered an opportunity to push for a resolution of the reason why the UN had to provide aid for the 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, he said. Despite Israel allowing in additional trucks and an increased range of goods, nothing had changed on the ground and there was no commitment from Israel to open the crossings for commercial activity.

“People cannot afford to buy what is there. It does not matter if pasta is on or off the list, the only food of interest to 80% of the people is the five items they get from the UN, because they cannot afford to buy anything. We need bigger steps and need them urgently.”

He warned that Europe has to take a principled position and, while we have an obligation to welcome positive developments, “we must not be deceived or be part of a deception that events are anything more than they are”, he said.