JERUSALEM, February 18, 2010. To respond to on-going food insecurity and with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), CARE International in the West Bank and Gaza has launched its 'Quick Impact Livelihood Recovery for War Affected Population in the Gaza Strip' project.

The main goal of this project is to improve livelihood recovery activities of Palestinian communities in conflict affected areas of the Gaza Strip.

As an integral part of this project, CARE International will distribute weekly fresh vegetables rations to 2’000 of the most vulnerable Gaza households for 20 weeks in order to increase their access to fresh food and diversify their food intake.

The project will increase market access by purchasing the needed vegetables from 230 small farmers who were affected by the latest conflict in Gaza. The project will also support the rehabilitation of 2,000 dunums of agricultural land, provide technical assistance and training to 1,000 farmers, increase access to 200 dunums of agricultural land and increase employment opportunities for 300 men and women through acquired skills and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

CARE International is implementing this project in partnership with MA’AN Development Center and the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees, as well as eight Palestinian community based organizations and women CBOs who will be supplying the project with environmentally friendly packages for fresh food parcels using recyclable fabrics.