GAZA, Monday,
June 21, 2021 (WAFA) – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that it
has provided emergency assistance to safeguard food security and livelihoods of
vulnerable farmers and herders in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement.
The statement
said that “the people in the Gaza Strip suffer from a poor humanitarian
situation due to multiple challenges, including conflict, which escalated from
10 to 21 May 2021. As a result of this escalation, lives have been lost;
livelihoods, homes and infrastructure have been damaged; basic services have
been disrupted; and more than 106 000 people have been internally displaced.”
“The agriculture
sector suffered extensive losses worth USD 204 million, according to the
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The majority of
livestock holders experienced severe damages and losses to their herds, and
more damages are expected, as farmers do not have access to animal feed. This
is the result of the damages caused by the conflict, farmers’ lack of access to
their land to carry out agricultural operations, and, consequently, reduced
capacity to procure inputs. As the fodder stock depletes, the survival of
livestock is put at risk, threatening animal production. The livestock sector
requires approximately 600 tonnes of fodder per day,
and without support the sector will be further damaged, which would have dire
consequences on the livelihoods of 17 000 households.”
“In the north of
the Gaza Strip, one of the largest agricultural input warehouses was destroyed,
resulting in the loss of a significant share of inputs needed for production,
notably fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers, who were already suffering from a
limited supply of electricity that powers essential infrastructure, including
pumps for wells, face challenges accessing their farms and markets. This is
limiting their ability to resume their agriculture-based livelihoods. These
losses are expected to have lasting detrimental impacts on the agriculture
sector, and the number of farmers and herders in need of assistance to restore
their livelihoods is very high,” the statement added.
“Thanks to a
contribution of USD 610,000 from the Government of Belgium, through the Special
Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities, FAO will restore the
productive capacities of 1,600 vulnerable pastoral families (8,960 people)
through the distribution of fodder. Barley and wheat bran will be distributed
to protect these households’ livelihoods and reduce the losses of key
productive assets. Supporting livestock-holding families with fodder
distribution is critical and will contribute to the restoration of the
agriculture sector. FAO will work closely with the MoA
and local non-governmental organizations to deliver this support,” the
statement concluded.
K.T./ K.F.
