UN Launches 2009 Consolidated Appeal for the West Bank and

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002173

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DEPT FOR PRM/FO, PRM/ANE, NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM EAID KPAL

SUBJECT: UN Launches 2009 Consolidated Appeal for the West Bank and
Gaza


1. (U) Summary: The UN launched the 2009 Consolidated Appeal (CAP)
for the West Bank and Gaza on November 26. The USD 462 million
appeal focuses on humanitarian response and assistance to an
increasing number of vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank and
Gaza. Most of the appeal is for food, cash assistance and emergency
job creation. The CAP identifies vulnerable Palestinian groups,
particularly those affected by the separation barrier, those in Area
C, and women, children, and the elderly. For the first time in its
seven years, the CAP also includes protection activities to prevent
ongoing displacement. End Summary.

CAP LAUNCHED
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2. (SBU) At the November 26 launch of the 2009 UN Consolidated
Appeal (CAP) for the West Bank and Gaza, UN Resident Humanitarian
Coordinator Max Gaylard highlighted Palestinians' rising needs and
declining standards of living, which have led to the UN appeal for
$462 million to support relief and recovery programs. He deplored
humanitarian conditions in Gaza, saying, "the blockade is an assault
on human dignity." Gaylard noted that the CAP was developed in
consultation with the PA, NGOs, INGOs, and UN agencies over two
months. Over half the CAP is for UNRWA to provide emergency food,
cash, job, and health programs to over 1 million refugees in West
Bank/Gaza. This year's CAP, he said, also includes protection
activities to prevent displacement in vulnerable communities; e.g.,
in Area C and near the separation barrier. Gaylard said the CAP,
which is humanitarian assistance, will support and feed into the
PA's development-oriented PRDP.

Challenges to Humanitarian Operations
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3. (SBU) UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General Filippo Grandi described
the operational challenges to delivering humanitarian and
development aid; increased movement restrictions; increasd needs;
and decreasing levels of funding. Rather than focusing on human
development, the UN and other NGOs must provide emergency
humanitarian relief, he said. Grandi stressed that UNRWA will be
unable to deliver even basic services if current restrictions
persist and funds continue to be scarce. (Note: UNRWA anticipates a
budget shortfall in 2009 of roughly $160 million. End Note.)
During the 5 months of the "tahdiyya" (ceasefire) in Gaza, UNRWA,
WFP, and other aid agencies could not replenish food stocks or
otherwise prepare for an emergency. Grandi urged the international
community to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian
conditions and to allow aid agencies to move freely.

CAP Details
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4. (SBU) The USD 462 million CAP includes 159 projects (96 for
NGOs, 63 for UN agencies). Two-thirds of the budget is for relief
and cash assistance. The CAP will respond to reduced standards of
living, increased food insecurity, threatened agricultural
livelihood, displacement, and deterioration of public services. The
CAP's strategic objectives are to 1) provide humanitarian assistance
to most vulnerable communities; 2) improve protection of civilians;
3) enhance monitoring and reporting on the humanitarian situation
and; 4) strengthen coordination. The main sectors are: food and
food security ($209.5 million),cash for work and cash assistance
($133.3 million),protection ($33 million),agriculture ($25.1
million),and health ($18.7 million). Gaylard concluded that
immediate political intervention and financial support is needed to
halt the decline in standards of living and to create a permissive
environment for humanitarian agencies to implement relief and
recovery programs.