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Dubai: With mounting poverty and unemployment levels for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, United Nation's agencies on the ground are working to ensure vital humanitarian aid, said a UN official. "All UN agencies are trying to take stock of the role they can play in light of the possible scenarios that may emanate from the current uncertainty," said Ehab Shanti, Head of Communications at the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. Since Hamas' astounding victory in the parliamentary elections in January, the United States and the European Union have suspended direct aid to the new government, which is now threatened by economic collapse.
However, a UN spokesperson last week accepted that while agencies were told to avoid political contact with the new government, "working contacts" would continue at levels to ensure the continuation of vital humanitarian programmes. "There is a possibility of a humanitarian disaster throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Although we have been operating in an emergency situation for some time, it looks as though the situation will continue to deteriorate further," Shanti said. Shanti indicated that UNDP may be forced to do their utmost to meet the immediate needs of the population. However, all efforts will be made to also fulfill ongoing development requirements as well. Of particular concern has been the situation in Gaza. Due to the prolonged closure of the area, including extended periods of closure of the only commercial crossing, there has been an alarming shortage of food and medicine. With projections indicating that poverty levels in the West Bank and Gaza will reach 74 per cent, three quarters of the population will soon be living on less than $2 (Dh7.34) per day.
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