CARE assessment: 89% of respondents in Gaza say they have received no humanitarian assistance

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56% of respondents are hosting displaced people

Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territories (Jan. 21, 2009) – In one of the first rapid assessments of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, a shocking 89 percent of respondents to a CARE survey indicated that they have not received any assistance since the conflict started Dec. 27. This is a clear indication that more aid and humanitarian workers are desperately needed in Gaza, and that borders must be fully opened in order to get humanitarian supplies, building materials and commercial goods into the region.

CARE, in partnership with Alpha International surveying firm, conducted a three-day phone survey of families in Gaza to gather basic data on the humanitarian needs; status of electricity, water and sewage systems; impact of cash, food and medicine shortages; psychological impact on children; and the condition of displaced people sheltering with families or neighbours. The key findings of the survey are below.

“CARE has been distributing emergency assistance to the population since the conflict started, including food, blankets, shelter materials, hygiene kits and medical supplies. The survey shows very clearly, however, that the efforts of CARE and the other humanitarian partners have only been scratching the surface,” said Martha Myers, CARE International’s Country Director in the West Bank and Gaza. “In order to meet the overwhelming needs of the population, we must have full access for humanitarian workers and material into and out of the Gaza Strip. A handful of medical staff allowed in over the past three weeks is not enough to rebuild Gaza.”

CARE implemented this survey during the crisis in order to get an immediate picture of the humanitarian needs in Gaza. CARE is also part of the larger joint assessment currently underway with the UN and other aid agencies.

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