Crisis Prevention and Recovery

Emergency response to restart the agricultural sector: USD 9,618,016

Needs

The crisis led to extensive destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, and significantly deteriorated basic services, further compounding the impact of 18 months of sustained blockade of all but the most essential commodities. Many poultry (broilers and layers), sheep, goat and rabbit farms were destroyed. Additionally, fishermen are trying to cope with heavy destruction to a large portion of boats, fishing equipment, and cold storage facilities. High unemployment was already prevalent in the Gaza Strip and is likely to have been worsened by the crisis, meaning a further decline in livelihoods and living conditions.

Consequently, there is an increase in the price of fresh foods, including poultry, small ruminants, fish, fruits and vegetables, if they can be found and sold in Gaza. The UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) predicts an imminent rise in food insecurity owing to the unstable food and cash aid pipelines, stalled local production, and inability of the local population to afford or find fresh foods. As social safety nets and coping mechanisms, including backyard cottage industries, continue to crumble, more Gazans are forced to skip meals and switch to cheaper and less nutritious foods. The agricultural sector is a traditional shock-absorber in time of crisis and a prompt restoration of this sector is both possible and necessary to protect people livelihoods.

Activities

• Support to Palestinian farmers in resuming their daily agriculture production activities, including livestock, poultry, irrigated vegetables and fisheries.