Poverty in Palestine is more than a phenomenon related to certain parts of society. Indeed, poverty has becomea sword that is directed towards most Palestinians. It invades rapidly and hit any social class at any moment. Poverty's perennial nature and multifactorial elements makes any prevention policy complicated and diffcult to extend to a wide range of people.

Many factors have led to the development of poverty in Palestine. These relate to the level of the social and economic developments and also the amount of resources allocated to Palestinians. This s all strongly related to the political environment both internally and externally. Closures imposed on the West Bank and Gaza has resulted in growing unemployment. Expansion of the private sector has been held back and there has been little creation of new job opportunities. In addition the infamous segregating wall around the West Bank has contributed greatly to the exacerbation of poverty in Palestine.

It is no secret that many Palestinian families are now left impoverished and dependent upon aid to survive. The number of people living in poverty in Palestine has more than tripled since September 2000 to approximately 2 million people. Today over two thirds of the population live below the poverty line on less than $2 a day. Subsequently there has been an acute rise malnutrition, especially amongst children. According to a report by the United Nations in Palestine:

"Household incomes have been decimated as a result of the collapse of the economy within the West Bank and Gaza Strip and it is beyond the means of many households to procure even the most basic commodities. This in turn has provoked a serious increase in malnutrition rates amongst refugees, in particular children."

The exaggerated, hard conditions the Palestinians find themselves living in has made it possible to get aid from external authorities such as welfare organizations. However, this aid is still minimal and hardly ensures a minimum income or guarantees food and shelter for those in need. Also, the lack of coordination and cooperation between these organizations is a major problem and must be highlighted when discussing poverty in the region.

In short, the subject is not an independent and distinct entity. It doesn't appear as a clear issue in past or recent plans for the region. Poverty is sadly missing from many of the discussions by decision makers in or outside the country. Review and revision of policies must take place. Strategies and programs are needed to improve the current situation and to highlight all factors that have led to this exacerbation of poverty country. Unless preventive measures are put into action the country will be affected severely in the long term.

Finally the people of Palestinine are taking action. The Empty Pockets march took place on July 4th 2005 and aimed to raise many of the issues I have discussed. Hundreds of Palestinians, from all over the West Bank, responded to the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. They participated in a white-band march through the streets of Ramallah whilst the G8 summit was taking place in Scotland. The march was jointly organized by the International Federation of Workers Education Association in the Arab countries- Palestine.

Ibtihal Suwan is the VPI of IFMSA-PS.

References:
1. Department for International Development (DFID). 2004. Country Assistance Plan for Palestinians. London.
2. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Economic Reports. Access: www.pcbs.org.
3. Poverty in Palestine report, www.waronwant.org
4. Arabic references: researches and articles from the social work department in Al-Quds University in Jerusale