New Study from UNRWA

Press Release No. HQ/19/2006
22 November 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNRWA releases new study:
Recent socio-economic impact of prolonged crisis in the oPt

Jerusalem - UNRWA today launched their new report assessing the recent socio-economic impact of the prolonged crisis in the oPt. The report, produced in association with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, was commissioned to measure the socio-economic consequences of the postelection boycott of the Palestinian Authority.
UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General, Filippo Grandi, introducing the report, commented: “What this report tells us is alarming; more than one million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank now live in deep poverty. This is a steep increase; 64% over the same time last year. In Gaza, where the vast majority of the population are refugees, the situation is much worse. Every aspect of life – from job security to putting food on the table – has been severely and negatively impacted.”
The data collected in the study covers three main areas: national income, the labor market and
household living levels and poverty.
Key findings:
• Loss of income led to an average 12% reduction in per capita consumption, and a 64%
increase in Palestinians living in deep poverty.
• The PA boycott, which cannot be accurately measured through GDP or employment rates but
only through household consumption and income, resulted in an estimated $500 million
decline.
• The PA fiscal crisis had disproportionately negative consequences for refugees, 32% of whom
are employed by the public sector, in contrast to 20% among non refugees.
• It is estimated that, above the level of external assistance received in 2005, an additional
$73.1 million of well targeted aid would have been necessary to eliminate deep poverty
amongst refugees in 2005.
• The Palestinian public sector (accounting for 70% of new jobs) expanded during 2005 and
the first half of 2006, while the private sector, especially manufacturing, experienced sharp
declines.
For the complete report, please click here
For more information contact:
Alex Pollock: 0599413811 or 02 5890220
Salem Ajluni: 0546435185 or 02 5890237

To veiw the orginial press release of this study click here