United Nations Children's Fund 30 March 2005
Palestinian children in Muwasi, Gaza Strip. (Cees Otto)
UNICEF today began delivery of a series of critical health and sanitation as well as education supplies to the isolated and deprived children of the Gaza Strip enclave of Al-Mawasi.
More than 5,000 Palestinians - almost half of which are children - live in Al-Mawasi, which is a completely isolated area in the Gaza Strip.
“Today’s delivery means that the children of Al-Mawasi will have some relief in their daily struggle,” said UNICEF oPt Special Representative Dan Rohrmann. “Reaching the un-reached is a key element in ensuring that all children’s rights are met. Two thousand children in one of the most difficult to reach areas will have essential supplies to learn, to stay healthy and to be able to play.”
Today’s shipment - the first of many to follow over coming days - included generators for two schools that will allow students to continue learning during Al-Mawasi’s frequent power cuts.
To support health interventions, infant delivery kits sufficient to last for four months for all normal and complex deliveries, and health kits covering the needs of all children and families for six months. Two refrigerators were delivered as well.
In addition, UNICEF distributed water kits to ensure 500 families have access to safe water during closures. Educational supplies for 800 students were delivered to allow children to improve their learning - along with uniforms, school bags and teaching aids used during and outside school hours.
This essential assistance delivered today was made possible through the generous support of many donors - including, most recently, the governments of the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Al Mawasi - which is one kilometer wide and 14 kilometers long - was once an agricultural and fishing community has become almost inaccessible. Many families live in shacks, no sewage or water networks are currently available and electricity supply is spotty at best. Restrictions on the movement mean that children’s right to education and health is severely restricted.
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