HEBRON, July 9, 2009 (WAFA)- The Italian humanitarian Organization UCODEP presented, Wednesday, a new project funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), aimed at supporting the breeders severely hit by the drought in the Southern Hebron Governorate.

The project was presented in the Yatta Municipality in partnership with the Palestinian NGOs Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) and Palestinian Livestock Development Center (PLDC).

Thanks to this project, fodder and seeds will be distributed to more than 650 families. A mobile unit and a service of artificial insemination are already active to support the herders living in the most remote locations in the Yatta Bedouin Area and Massafer Yatta. Representatives from the local communities involved in the project, local authorities and humanitarian organization working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory attended the event.

The UCODEP project coordinator, Francesco Rigamonti said that, the herders in the Southern Hebron Governorate, in particular those living in Massafer Yatta and the Bedouin Area, are facing a very difficult situation both due to the drought and the encroaching presence of military and Jewish colonies. Thanks to the support of (ECHO) it will be possible to reduce the hardship of the breeders, forced to sell part of their flocks to cope with the increasing debts. The service of artificial insemination has already started during the reproduction season benefiting 50 families and 2000 animals. The mobile unit will be active from next week to assist the beneficiaries and to distribute, when needed, medicine and other veterinary treatments.

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), provides emergency assistance and relief to victims of natural disasters or armed conflicts in more than 60 countries outside the European Union. Since 2000, ECHO have provided around €500 million in aid for the neediest Palestinians in the Occupied Territory, financing not only food aid and food security, but also emergency job creation programs, primary and emergency health assistance, access to quality water and psychosocial care, as well as protection services.