Norwegian Church Aid wants to discuss the consequences of the delay in rebuilding Gaza, almost 6 months after the war destructions, and hold Hamas to their responsibility of taking care of urgent humanitarian needs.
Still poor conditions
- The dilemma is that Israel, Egypt and other international institutions do not relate to the fact that Hamas is de facto government in Gaza, while the population and the many thousand war victims relay on the maintenance of public healthcare and social services.
Thousands of people are still living in destroyed buildings and due to the strict regulations for importing construction materials, these people continue to live under extremely poor conditions.
Civilians suffer
The blockade and sanctions to the Hamas government in Gaza obstructs the rebuilding and only leads to suffering of civilians, says Atle Sommerfeldt.
The number of imported goods to Gaza is only a fourth of the amount of what used to be before the blockade started in 2007. 8 of 10 trucks which are allowed to enter do bring food, but each truck can only carry 18 different food articles. Calves and plants are not allowed, and the farmers in Gaza are unable to produce more food for the people. Frequent prohibitions of importing clothes, shoes, toys and schoolbooks also takes place.
- NGOs are struggling to be able to assist in the reconstruction of Gaza because of the restrictions on importing necessary goods, even though the need for help is greater than ever, says Sommerfeldt.
Atle Sommerfeldt has asked for a meeting with the Israeli embassy in Oslo to discuss the limitations Norwegian Church Aid have with their humanitarian work in the area.