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Red
Cross Red Crescent responds to deteriorating Palestinian humanitarian
situation 17 may 2006 In response to the worsening Palestinian humanitarian situation the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is issuing a ‘Call for Support’ which will provide resources towards an appeal launched by the Palestine Red Crescent for 9.3 million USD (EUR 7 million/Swiss francs 11 million) which is needed to continue their critical relief services for the next six months. The International Federation is seeking 5.4 million USD (EUR 4.2 million/Swiss francs 6.5 million), taking into account that the ICRC has committed 3.9 million USD (EUR 3 million/Swiss francs 4.5 million). This situation has arisen because the Palestine Red Crescent relies partly on funds provided by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). However due to funds being withheld from the PNA since recent elections, as a consequence, the Palestine Red Crescent is no longer able to maintain its services. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) plays a vital role, in addition to the PNA, in the areas of health, ambulance services, disaster management and rehabilitation. It employs 4,200 people in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. It also has a volunteer network of 20,000 people. The PRCS is the largest provider of health services for 450,000 Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon. This crisis prompted the PCRS to launch its appeal on 19 April. The appeal will fund the provision of health services, including five hospitals and nine primary health care centres in Lebanon, and the running costs for Red Crescent branches in Syria and Egypt. In addition support for disaster management and co-ordination will be covered by the appeal. The World Bank estimates that the number for people living below the poverty line in the Palestinian territories is 67% and could rise to 74% by 2008, which will leave people unable to buy basic provisions such as food and fuel. View the Call for Support and the full Palestine Red Crescent appeal. A press conference announcing the support to this appeal will be held in Marrakesh at 19:30 local time on 17 May. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Marrakesh, Marie-Françoise Borel, Media officer, Tel. + 41 79 217 33 45 Samira Kherfi, Media officer, Tel. +212 61 92 65 23 Duty phone, Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 In Geneva: Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Service, Tel. + 41 79 217 33 88 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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