UNRWA monthly update

Lots of useful statistics here. The report, published at the start of November by UN’s Relief and Works Agency (responsible for the Palestinians) is heavy with quotations clarifying their beliefs, but provides a very pragmatic breakdown nevertheless.

Good news:
Of 460 requests for medical assistance in October, 355 were accepted (77%) and 343 turned up for their appointments. This compares with an average 81% in 2007 and 65% so far in 2008. Nobody with a valid pass was denied access.

Nahal Oz (fuel) shows as being open 65% of the time, which compares favourably with the only other recorded statistic, 58% in August. This represented 245 truckloads of fuel, a below average amount.

Additionally, UN and CAP report $312.7m of funding for aid and development assistance to the oPt as a whole

Bad news:
The number of medical assistance requests processed was down in September and October as a result of Israeli worker strikes. 460 requests compares with 874 in August and 976 in July, for instance.

The figures for humanitarian aid entering Gaza on page 5 make bleak reading – 50 tons daily in through one crossing (Karni), compared to 156 in 2006; and zero export, compared with 17 tons daily in 2006.