JERUSALEM-WESTBANK-GAZA - 55% of Palestinians in the West Bank and 70% in Gaza Strip are living below the poverty line of 2US$ a day, while 63.3% of Palestinians in the West Bank and 50% in Gaza Strip are unemployed.

The economy in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem is weakening by the day. Many Palestinians have lost their incomes, as they cannot travel to their workplaces or go to the markets to do business, because of the restrictions on movement. The high rate of unemployment and the discrepancies between the skills required in the local market and the skills and capabilities of the unemployed require an urgent response.

World Vision has responded by creating projects that develop the community and contribute to the alleviation of severe poverty and hardship in the Occupied Territories. These activities include:

• Creating temporary jobs (Cash for work employment projects).
  
• Implementing labour intensive activities that develop the currently inadequate infrastructure and social services.
  
• Developing the income generation capacity of individuals, while focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of women, youth and the unemployed in the local labour market.
  
• Providing training (especially vocational) to those affected by poverty and unemployment.