JERUSALEM-WESTBANK-GAZA - For the past 20 months, World Vision has been implementing limited relief activities in response to the needs of the communities where development projects are underway. However, since early 2002, the Israeli army has been launching new operations in all major West Bank cities and towns and thus the ability of households to procure food and water became very limited.

When a village, town or city is closed off, it means that travel outside of the area is severely restricted for people, products and services. This makes it very difficult for food to be brought into the areas under curfew.

Palestinian wholesalers and retailers face difficulties in getting food into the market, particularly fresh meat and dairy products (powdered milk, infant formula). If at all possible, many families are either unable to reach the stores, or they cannot afford to buy adequate food.

The lack of purchasing power has forced Palestinians to buy less of the more expensive high protein-rich foods, such as fish, beef, and chicken and a lack of protein is contributing to increasing cases of malnutrition and anemia.

A USAID funded nutritional assessment, designed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, and carried out in conjunction with Al-Quds University and Global Management Consulting Group, indicates that acute and chronic malnutrition rates of Palestinian children under 5 have reached disastrous levels.

World Vision has launched relief programs in response to the acute crisis and declining conditions in the West Bank and Gaza. These programs include:

• Humanitarian convoys (food package distribution) where and when most needed
  
• Domestic animal distribution in the Gaza Strip
  
• Food voucher/food coupon program (eg. food voucher for work employment projects)
  

Whilst these efforts have met a level of need, further funding is needed to continue the battle against malnutrition.