Gaza Power Cuts Causing Humanitarian Crisis
Local Editor
Constant fuel shortages and insufficient infrastructure have brought about a "humanitarian crisis" for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the World Bank said Thursday.
In a report ahead of an international donor conference next week, it said Thursday that foreign aid alone cannot rescue the stagnant Palestinian economy without practical changes.
Gaza's sole electricity plant frequently runs out of fuel for its generators and rations power supplies to as little as four hours per day.
"During summer and winter peaks the scarce electricity supply is increasingly rationed to four hours during daytime," the report quotes the bank's West Bank and Gaza director Marina Wes as saying.
"Recently, this situation has become the norm leaving Gazans without electricity during most of the day. This has created a humanitarian crisis for Gaza's two million people."
The shortages hit hospitals, clinics, water supply and other vital services, as well as household needs, she said.
Protests broke out in January over the power cuts, which the Gaza health ministry warned could have dangerous consequences for patients.
The strip was heavily battered in a July-August 2014 ‘Israeli' war that killed more than 2,200 Palestinians.
"Easing of Israeli restrictions on external trade... and opening up access to Gaza is essential to expand private sector growth and employment," the report said.
The report is to be presented at a May 4 meeting in Brussels of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, which coordinates international donor support for the Palestinians.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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