Human Desperation and Environmental Destruction in Gaza

[DogPoundPup]

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"Children form the majority of the population of Gaza," said UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman, a former U.S. secretary of agriculture. "No human being can watch this without being moved. No parent can witness this and not see their own child. This is tragic. This is unacceptable."

The UN World Food Programme today began emergency distributions of vitamin A-fortified date bars and high-energy biscuits to thousands of displaced people in Gaza City. The distributions also include ready-to-eat meals for hospitals and milk for children. They are part of WFP’s recently launched Operation Lifeline Gaza.

WFP emphasized that all crossing points into Gaza must re-opened for the agency to be able to move 600 tons of food every day into the Gaza Strip as planned. To date, WFP shipments have been crossing only through Kerem Shalom, at the southern tip of the Gaza Strip, including shipments from Egypt.

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The conflict has had "dangerous repercussions for the Gaza Strip's already dilapidated water supply network and sewage," the group said.

UN reports indicate that more than 500,000 Palestinians in Gaza remain without safe drinking water. Sewage collection systems and treatment facilities have ceased functioning, resulting in sewage in the streets.

The raw sewage overflow could reach surrounding communities and the Mediterranean Sea. "Sewage contamination will lead to long-term consequences for both Palestinians and Israelis including the outbreak of infectious diseases and the loss of important groundwater sources through pollution," warns Friends of the Earth Middle East.

The group's Palestinian Director Nader Al Khateeb and Israeli Director Gidon Bromberg said that documenting the consequences of war on the shared environment of Israel and Palestine highlights the loss to both nations and must be followed up by actions that will help avoid another round of violence and destruction.

more ... http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2009/2009-01-22-02.asp