Communities living in shelters in the northern West Bank face major health risks

Action Against Hunger teams are witnessing an unprecedented expansion in violence and displacement in the West Bank. Over nine weeks of continuous military operations in refugee camps in the northern West Bank have significantly worsened the humanitarian situation, driving mass displacement and hindering both humanitarian access and access to basic services for civilians.

For months, military tactics similar to those employed in Gaza have been observed: restrictions on movement, forced displacement, sieges and large-scale military operations. Since January, the number of displaced Palestinians in the West Bank tripled compared to previous months. More than 42,000 people – between 40% and 100% of the residents of refugee camps – have been forced to leave Jenin, Tulkarem, Nur Shams and El Far’a camps. Many communities are under siege or cut off from essential services. Numerous displaced families have nowhere to go and are compelled to seek temporary shelter at collective overcrowded accommodations. According to initial assessments, 70% of shelters report a lack of hygiene materials.

“Tens of thousands live in near uninhabitable conditions. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities is exacerbating health risks. Immediate action is required to ensure access to clean water, sanitation facilities, hygiene materials, and safe shelter for the displaced and affected populations”, explains Vincent Stehli, Director of Operations for Action Against Hunger.

In Jenin Camp, a total of over 15 kilometres of roads have been bulldozed, including 21 kilometres of water networks. In Tulkarem and Nur Shams Camps, nearly 400 homes are completely destroyed, with an additional 2,500 homes partially destroyed. Entrances to all camps are closed with earth mounds and other physical barriers. Across the West Bank, the UN Office for Humanitarian and Coordination estimates over 849 movement obstacles, a third of which are road gates which are frequently closed. Roadblocks, denial of permits, delays at checkpoints and security risks are hampering operations.

Since the beginning of the military operations, Action Against Hunger teams in the West Bank have distributed thousands of food parcels, hygiene kits and litres of safe drinking water to displaced families in Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarem. Our teams have also provided stoves, kitchen tools, and electric heaters, as well as plan to distribute bedding kits. In addition, they have installed mobile latrines in displacement centres in Tulkarem and Jenin.

“Thousands of people are left homeless and without access to basic services. Our team is working tirelessly to provide urgent relief, but restrictions and risks make our work extremely difficult,” says Vincent Stehli. “USD$4 million is required for Action Against Hunger to respond to the aftermath of the military operations to secure basic needs upon return to homes and communities. These estimates include food parcel distribution, non-food item kits, hygiene kits, bottled water distribution, water trucking, emergency cash assistance, as well as shelter, water, and sanitation repairs,” he concludes.