Facts on Palestine
-More than the workforce is unemployed.
-60% of the population live on less than $2 a day.
-Nearly 50% of Palestinians suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
-In the last 2 years the numbers of poor have tripled, to around 2 million.
-50% of the population rely on food aid for survival. (OCHA)
-Acute malnutrition rates are comparable to Zimbabwe and the Congo. (World Bank)
If you are interested in raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine in your area, please download our latest campaign brochure today!
Background
The humanitarian crisis in Palestine is deepening. In recent years, thousands of Palestinians have been killed and tens of thousands injured - including many children. Palestinian homes, farmlands and businesses have been destroyed by bulldozers and tanks. Curfews and travel restrictions have resulted in an unemployment rate of over 60%. Without jobs families have no income, and they are left to struggle with crippling poverty.
Over two-thirds of Palestinians live below the poverty line on less than $2 a day.
The rising rates of malnutrition and anemia reflect the misery of their situation. Hundreds of thousands of people are now dependant upon food assistance.
Islamic Relief in Palestine
Islamic Relief has worked in Palestine since 1994, and opened its Gaza City office in 1998. Since then, Islamic Relief has been working to help the Palestinians with food aid, medical relief, small business loans, and orphan sponsorship. Islamic Relief has also established educational enhancement centers, care programs for psychologically traumatized children, and a school for the deaf.