GAZA, November 3, 2009 (WAFA)- CARE International, with the support from the European Commission of Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), launched its 3^rd  Phase of Fresh Food Distribution Project (FFDP) which started two years ago.

CARE has already completed two phases, providing aid for more than 21,000 beneficiaries. The project aims to support vulnerable small-scale farmers who are affected by the current political conflict in Gaza to improve their livelihood security, and support vulnerable households by distributing fresh food baskets to them.

CARE International started its third phase of Fresh Food Distribution on Sunday, October 11^th, 2009 in partnership with MA’AN Development Center, the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees, and 22 Palestinian civil and social organizations. The project covers 29 districts distributed throughout the five governorates of Gaza, aiming to assist 1230 small-scale farmers in selling their products by buying their vegetables and distributing it to 7100 needy families and households, as well as 11 health and social institutions.

Each household receives a basket of fresh vegetables every week that is enough for the household, for a period of 25 weeks. this project also supports 79 vulnerable women with income generation activities, giving them the chance to participate in packaging food baskets for the project.

The project will also hire 100 individuals to work at the distribution stations and with the transportation company that works for the project.

 ECHO provided emergency assistance and relief to victims of natural disasters or armed conflicts in more than 60 countries outside the European Union.

CARE is one of the world’s largest independent aid organizations providing emergency relief and development projects in nearly 70 countries around the world. CARE in the West Bank and Gaza has worked with Palestinian communities since 1948.