Food and Water for Gaza

CHF’s team members continued delivery of food aid today, distributing standard food packages to 500 families in the Al Zaiton Zone of Gaza City. The distribution took place during the planned ceasefire between 1:00-4:00 pm. CHF International is the second largest food distributing agency in the Gaza Strip after UNRWA and continues to provide immediate, life-saving, humanitarian assistance for the civilian population in Gaza. Our team plans to distribute an additional 500 packages in the same location tomorrow during the planned ceasefire. The CHF team is coordinating closely with our partner Local Action Committees to facilitate the distribution of food and non food items to the most vulnerable families in each neighborhood. The Local Action Committees currently take the lead role in informing the beneficiaries about the location and time of distributions through word of mouth. CHF is also coordinating with Internews to provide approximately 1,000 hand-cranked radios for households without power or spare batteries for their radios. A Hebron-based radio station will be used to broadcast humanitarian announcements including the locations and times of planned aid distributions.

Gaza (January 6, 2009) – CHF International staff members continued delivery of food aid today, distributing food parcels to 700 families in Khan Younes. The CHF team is coordinating closely with our partner Local Action Committees to facilitate the distribution of food and non-food items to the most vulnerable families in each neighborhood.

In coordination with the UN World Food Programme, CHF International is also increasing our distribution network to serve 152,000 beneficiaries with a food basket equivalent to 2,100 kcal per day per person. Approximately 150 tons of canned tuna has been added to the food package, but is currently delayed with other relief items at the border crossing.

The delivery of plastic sheeting, expected to occur today, was also delayed at the border. CHF International is ready to begin distribution immediately upon receipt of the items, which are waiting to be transported via a UN humanitarian relief convoy. Planned distribution points include hospitals and warehouses in Gaza City, Khan Younes, and Yarmouk.

Our team reports that food shortages in the Northern region and parts of Gaza city (Al Zaiton, Jabalia town, Biet Lahia, Al Shaja’ia and Al Tufah) are the most acute. Throughout the Gaza Strip, water pumps and desalination capacities are not functioning properly due to a lack of electrical supplies and fuel to run backup generators.