Gaza's humanitarian crisis
Gaza's humanitarian situation is at its worst.
Warnings of a disaster as a result of the suspension of projects.
95% of the water of Gaza is not safe to drink
Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion, says the blockade has dramatically worsened levels of poverty and unemployment, and has led to deterioration in education and health services.
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More than 85% of Palestinians in Gaza rely on humanitarian assistance, with UN food aid going to about 1.1 million people - three quarters of the population.
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The number of families dependant on the Humanitarian relief agencies has increased tenfold since 1999.
- Most private businesses have shut down and 95% of Gaza's industrial operations are suspended as a result of import and export restrictions. Unemployment is close to 80%.
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Construction and agriculture have ground to a halt, 3,500 factories out of 3,900 have closed, causing 75,000 private sector job losses.
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There is a 20% shortfall in electricity with implications for hospitals, sewage works, water supply and other public institutions.
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Most of the population of the Gaza Strip do not receive running water at home because electricity is not available for pumping. About 30-40 million liters of sewage flows untreated into the sea every day.
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95% of the water in Gaza is not safe to drink.
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Hospitals experience power cuts for 8-12 hours a day and depend on generators to run basic facilities, although there is a shortage of diesel. Spare parts for generators are almost impossible to obtain.
Access to lifesaving treatment outside Gaza has become more necessary, but in December 2007 only 64% of applicants were given permits to leave the strip by Israel, leading to dozens of patient deaths.
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