The humanitarian outlook for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) looks extremely bleak and is predicted to worsen dramatically in the coming months. Faced with this situation, the United Nations and select non-governmental organisations have taken the unprecedented step of revising their appeal for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians from $215 million to $385 million. This revised emergency Appeal is aimed at helping the most needy – particularly children who make up half the Palestinian population. There is a need to extend basic health needs, depleted medical supplies, an increase food relief and create temporary jobs that are urgently needed. It cannot – nor does it aim to – replace the comprehensive range of services provided by the Palestinian Authority (PA). Humanitarian assistance can plug some of the gaps as they emerge to help support a continuation of services. It can cushion and slow a deepening of the humanitarian crisis, but it cannot prevent it. This emergency revision is in response to the impact of the fiscal crisis facing the PA and its negative effect on the population. Following the Hamas victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections in January, Israel halted the transfer of Palestinian Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs taxes it is obligated to pass over which comprise around half of the PA monthly budget. Western donor funding was also suspended to the new PA pending its agreement to Quartet principles relating to non-violence, the recognition of Israel and an acceptance of previous agreements. In addition, the banking sector, fearful of litigation, has effectively frozen PA and some private sector accounts.
