#poverty relief
Blacked Out
Power shortages and blackouts are common in Gaza, where outages can last for up to 12 hours a day. Without electricity, Gazans are effectively prohibited from carrying out basic functions at school, at home and at work. Shrouded in darkness, the power outages are a constant reminder of the smothering effect that the occupation has on daily life in the Strip. It is no surprise that many feel as if Gaza has been completely silenced as a result.
During the 2014 assault, the only electrical power plant within the territory was damaged almost beyond hope of repair. The disruption shook Gaza’s infrastructure to the core, with a resulting effect on businesses, homes and health services within the area. Factories producing fresh bread had to cut down production and access to the communal water tank was necessarily restricted, depleting an already precarious water supply. What electricity was left was redirected to Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifaa, which is struggling to stay open due to unpredictable power outages.
Thousands of families have resorted to using oil lightingandopen-flame candles as alternatives. Some have relied on smaller, more precarious generators to power their everyday needs. These lighting methods can often cause accidents, many of which have been fatal. Incidents resulting from electricity failures have claimed the lives of 26 people,almost all of which have been children. At present, the need to install safe and sustainable electrical systems is growing as families continue to risk their safety to light the path ahead.
Interpal aims to prevent further disaster by installing LED lighting systems in the Gaza Strip. We hope to provide light to around 600 of the neediest Gazan families, as well as to alleviate the suffering of hospital patients and elderly civilians, whose situation is exacerbated by the ongoing electrical failures in the Strip.
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Editorial: January 2017
The turn of the year is always a time for rest, reflection and resolution. As 2016 passes I would like to thank you personally for your support over the past twelve months and longer.
Looking forward, the year ahead brings with it both challenges and opportunities for the international Palestine solidarity movement, not least because there are some significant anniversaries in 2017. It is 100 years since the infamous Balfour Declaration;70 years since the signing of the UN Partition Plan;50 years since start of the occupation of the West BankandGaza Strip; and 10 years since the beginning of the ongoing siege of Gaza. This year, it is all the more vital for us to work together to ensure that these anniversaries do not pass unnoticed and unmarked.
As the inauguration of President-elect Trump looms — the first major political shift of 2017 — his campaign statements suggest that the Palestinians face a crisis like never before. Despite this, there is much to remain hopeful about.
The close of 2016 brought with it the news that the UN Security Council has adopted a landmark resolution calling for a halt to all of Israel’s illegal settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Politically and diplomatically, therefore, there appears to be some progress.
However, the humanitarian crisis is getting worse by the day. Now, more than ever, the imperative is upon us to come together #ForPalestine and do our part to support our brothers and sisters in need. Interpal’s teams are there on the ground; please help them to ease the day to day struggles of the Palestinians as they try to bring some normality into their lives.
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