Report: Only one in 10 Gazans has received humanitarian assistance

CARE reserach reveals actual situation in Gaza

FROM: Relief Web
CARE survey: Only one in 10 Gazans has received humanitarian assistance, More than half are hosting displaced people

In one of the first surveys of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, a sobering 89 percent of respondents said they have not received any assistance since the conflict started on December 27, 2008.

The results underscore the clear need for more aid and humanitarian workers in Gaza. And, they add urgency to CARE’s call to open borders in a way that allows humanitarian supplies, building materials and commercial goods to enter the region.

CARE, in partnership with Alpha International surveying firm, conducted a three-day phone survey of families in Gaza to gather basic data on humanitarian needs. Questions covered the status of electricity, water and sewage systems; the impact of cash, food and medicine shortages; psychological impact on children; and the condition of displaced people sheltering with families or neighbors. The key findings of the survey are below.

“CARE has been distributing emergency assistance to the population since the conflict started, including food, blankets, shelter materials, hygiene kits and medical supplies. The survey shows very clearly, however, that the efforts of CARE and the other humanitarian partners have only been scratching the surface,” said Martha Myers, CARE’s country director for the West Bank and Gaza. “In order to meet the overwhelming needs of the population, we must have full access for humanitarian workers and material into and out of the Gaza Strip. A handful of medical staff allowed in over the past three weeks is not enough to rebuild Gaza.”

CARE implemented this survey during the crisis in order to get an immediate picture of the humanitarian needs in Gaza. CARE is also part of the larger joint assessment currently underway with the United Nations and other aid agencies.

Key findings of the survey:

Access to humanitarian assistance: 89 percent of respondents said they have not received any humanitarian assistance.

Impact on children: Almost all (95 percent) households reported a high level of fear among children, with more than half of all children suffering from bed-wetting (62 percent), general weakness (64 percent), nervousness (73 percent), increase aggressiveness (61 percent), sleeplessness (87 percent), nightmares (79 percent), and headaches or stomach aches (57 percent).

Displaced people: 56 percent of respondents say they are hosting displaced people. Of those families who are hosting displaced people, 76 percent of respondents said they are hosting between 1-20 people — mainly relatives, friends or neighbors. The main reasons (42 percent) for displacement was damage or destruction of their homes.

Access to basic health care: 56 percent say they have problems accessing basic medications such as antibiotics, and medicine for fever, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Of those people, 59 percent reported health complications and decline in health status as a result of problems accessing basic medications. Half (50 percent) the respondents said they would not be able to reach a basic health facility if they needed to. (Note: One-third of respondents in this survey were contacted before the ceasefire was implemented.)

Water and sanitation: Approximately one-third (32 percent) of households reported that water was their most urgent need with 71 percent reporting problems with access or quality of water (high price, damaged networks, lack of availability of water tankers, etc). 47 percent say there is no garbage collection in their neighborhood, and the majority (67 percent) of respondents said they throw waste into the street, raising health risks.

Electricity: While electricity is being restored to some areas of the Gaza Strip this week, 86 percent of respondents say they have electricity blackouts most or all of the time.

Food security: 86 percent say they have cash shortages. Half (50 percent) of respondents said food was their most urgent need. 84 percent say they have problems accessing food. To cope, people have reduced food consumption or switched to less nutritious food. Food items most requested include flour, bread, sugar, rice, meat and children’s food.

Note on methodology: The sample for the survey included 525 people throughout the Gaza Strip aged 18 years and older. Data collection was conducted between the January 17-19, 2009. The sample was selected using stratified random sampling from a master sample of 150,000 phone numbers, mostly land lines. Results from the survey are limited to respondents who had working phone lines or were home. Because the survey started during the conflict, and we could not go door-to-door at that time, CARE conducted the survey by phone. The margin of error for the survey is 4.3 percent.

About CARE: CARE is one of the world’s largest humanitarian aid agencies, providing assistance in nearly 70 countries. CARE has been working in Israel, West Bank and Gaza since 1948 (with a short break from 1984-1994), initially implementing programs to help refugees after the Holocaust. Since the conflict started Dec. 27, CARE has distributed fresh food, medical supplies, heaters, blankets and plastic sheeting to hospitals, families and feeding centres in Gaza, reaching 160,000 people.

About Alpha International: Alpha International is an independent private research company that specializes in the area of needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation as well as survey research. Alpha has designed and implemented many surveys in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for both local and international organizations. Alpha adopts both qualitative and quantitative research methods in conducting needs assessment and evaluation studies. Alpha International generously donated their services to CARE.