GAZA Planning For The Future Must Start Now

GAZA/JERUSALEM, 17 August 2014: While many families are still in great need of immediate humanitarian assistance, there is no time to waste to ensure that the people of Gaza aren’t trapped in a cycle of violence and aid-dependency.

A permanent cease fire by all sides and the lifting of the blockade are the necessary first steps towards a lasting peace benefitting all. CARE also calls for the aid provided to Palestinians not only to address urgent short term needs but also to incorporate longer term transformative assistance for sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance.

“Palestinian families require assistance not only to survive this current crisis but also to thrive into the future” says René Celaya, CARE West Bank and Gaza country director.

“We need to rethink how to support the people of Gaza. Beyond providing food and water, we need to provide tools, training and economic opportunities. Water pipes, irrigation systems, farmland and production facilities are destroyed. Gaza needs to build a better economy and more options for people to support their families. And that job starts now,” says Celaya.

CARE urges participants at the international donors’ conference in Egypt in September (no date set) to provide the funding required to addressing the enormous needs and the flexibility to promote long term development.

Celaya recently returned from a visit to the affected areas in Gaza. He was impressed by the resilient attitude of people who have suffered so much.

“I have heard the people of Gaza described as a phoenix that rises anew from the ashes of its recurrent tragedies. That was the impression I got from people I met. They are ready to rebuild their lives once again, but they can’t keep doing it over and over again.”

Celaya believes it is important to recognize the role of women in keeping communities working.

“It is clearer to me than ever that the rebuilding of Gaza will not happen without the active participation of women. Women play a huge, but informal role in the economy. As long as they are denied property rights, opportunities for paid employment and investments, Gaza will be held back. This crisis and the recovery is an opportunity to showcase how greater gender equity brings societies forward.”

Find out more about the Gaza crisis. 

CARE West Bank and Gaza: CARE’s works with local partners in Gaza to provide emergency medical services through mobile health clinics, including to pregnant women, distribute hygiene kits and coordinate security information for aid agencies. Once the rebuilding begins, CARE will assist the people of Gaza recover and develop their livelihoods. CARE’s long term development programs assist Palestinian communities achieve economic empowerment and greater gender equity by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities, with a particular focus on the participation of women and youth.

For more information and arrange interviews, please contact:

Anders Nordstoga, press officer CARE West Bank Gaza +972 (0) 59282 1222 / +47 908 42 458 [email protected] Skype: andersnordstoga