January 13 Update on Gaza – Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR)
Our sources convey that there a three trucks full of medical supplies and nutrients on their way to Gaza from Ramallah. The trucks set out from the Betounya checkpoint in Ramallah and crossed into Israel after a four hour inspection of the goods by the Israeli army, and that was at around 10:30 AM. The logistics of delivering the goods to Gaza are quite tedious and lengthy, especially with the restrictions on movements, the constant fighting and bombardment, and the fact that International Organizations are also not spared being targeted by the Israeli army.
Our sources convey that there a three trucks full of medical supplies and nutrients on their way to Gaza from Ramallah. The trucks set out from the Betounya checkpoint in Ramallah and crossed into Israel after a four hour inspection of the goods by the Israeli army, and that was at around 10:30 AM. The logistics of delivering the goods to Gaza are quite tedious and lengthy, especially with the restrictions on movements, the constant fighting and bombardment, and the fact that International Organizations are also not spared being targeted by the Israeli army. The trucks are expected to be arriving at Kerem Shalom checkpoint on the Gaza borders at 1:30 PM, where they will be unloaded sample by sample and checked thoroughly before authorization for their entrance is granted. Once the inspection is complete, the checkpoint on the Israeli side will close and a gate will open on the Palestinian side where the trucks will unload the cargo unto different trucks awaiting on the other side. If there are no delays and no problems, the supplies are expected to be in Gaza by 7:00 PM and will be sent directly to the Al-Ahli Hopsital. We will be sending out an update on the whereabouts of the supplies as we get more information.
There are reports that the UN will be streamlining all aid delivery in the Gaza Strip starting tomorrow morning. This means that all supplies and equipments will be handled in a centralized system whereby all truck transport into Gaza will be monitored and managed by UN Log with distribution by UN vehicles. The UN will establish two depots for transportation/warehousing of supplies entering the strip and a UN logistical distributing system. There will be fees incurred by the users of the new system.
Concerning the water situation in Gaza, the Palestinian Water Authority reports that all the pipes that are responsible for bringing out water from the cisterns are broken. The water pumps that connect the water to households are not operating and accordingly there is a shortage of water. For those who do have supply, the water that reaches their homes is not filtered due to lack of electricity and there is fear of a breakout of diseases in epidemic proportions.
Movement remains to be severely restricted with reports of ambulances still being attacked even during the hours of “ceasefire”. Our partners have come out with statements expressing their solidarity with the affected people and vehemently condemning Israel’s irresponsible action in the Gaza Strip.
On a last note, it is important to convey that the MECC DSPR clinic that was destroyed in Gaza was storing six-weeks’ worth of nutritional supplements from DanChurchAid, which have completely been destroyed besides the medications, infant and children supplies and all the furnitures and medical equipments of the clinic. In addition, an Ultrasound machine which was recently bought and seven computers also recently purchased and which contained the files and history of the patients were completely destroyed. We are expecting a detailed list of damages and as soon as it is received, we will make an estimate of the losses and the costs of reconstruction, accordingly and we will include the cost of reconstruction in the revised MEPL81 ACT Appeal.