Casualties Overview

In 2014, 69 ERW casualties were reported in the State of Palestine. All reported casualties were civilians. Of the total, 30 casualties (43%) were children, including 24 boys and six girls. Of adult casualties, two were women and the majority (37) were men.[1]

A surge in ERW incidents was reported in Gaza after September 2014, following the conflict also referred to as Operation Protective Edge.[2] Of the 69 ERW casualties that occurred Palestine in 2014, 58 were recorded in Gaza and 11 in the West Bank. In 2013, 26 were recorded in Gaza and one in the West Bank.[3]

The 2014 data represented an increase from the 27 ERW casualties identified in 2013 and was higher than the 46 casualties reported for 2009, following Operation Cast Lead.[4] In January 2016, it was reported that in Gaza, “since the beginning of last summer’s hostilities, 16 people have been killed and 90 wounded, including 38 children, due to contact with these unexploded remnants.”[5]

The total number of mine/ERW casualties in Palestine is not known; at least 3,544 casualties had been reported by the end of 2014. Defense for Children International Palestine (DCI/PS) recorded more than 2,500 mine/ERW casualties occurring between 1967 and 1998.[6] Between 2000 and the end of 2014, the Monitor identified 1,036 casualties (165 killed; 858 injured; and 13 unknown).[7]

Victim Assistance

There were at least 1,178 mine/ERW survivors in Palestine.[8]

Palestine reported that there was no specific strategic framework for victim assistance in place. Mine/ERW survivors received the same support as other persons with disabilities. This support is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Palestine legislation provides for the provision of health and social insurance, economic opportunities, and equality for persons with disabilities.[9]

Palestine’s initial Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 report submission was due on 27 December 2015.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for the rehabilitation sector in Gaza.[10] Assistance for persons with physical disabilities was reliant on the efforts of UN agencies and NGOs. [11] There were no specific disability prevalence studies since 2012. However, after the armed conflict in 2014, preliminary findings from the Ministry of Health indicated that approximately 1,134 individuals (833 individuals 18 years and over, and 301 individuals under 18 years) injured are anticipated to face permanent disabilities. The International Coordination Department (ICD) coordinates the cooperation between the ministry and international organizations working in the field of physical rehabilitation in Gaza.[12]

Institutions in Gaza faced increasing challenges in developing rehabilitation programs to support youth with physical disabilities in order to “cope with living under the existing harsh political, economic and social conditions.”[13]

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that, following the destruction in Gaza caused by 50 days of conflict in mid-2014 also referred to as Operation Protective Edge, massive reconstruction was needed and an ambitious recovery plan was launched. However, reconstruction was prevented by pre-existing restrictions on materials needed to re-build homes, schools, and hospitals as well as to repair roads and electricity lines. Restrictions on. Water and sanitation networks also needed to be lifted to restore the local economy and social service. OCHA reported that, as the occupying power, “Israel is responsible for ensuring that the basic needs of Palestinians are met.”[14]

The ICRC, with the support of the Norwegian Red Cross, continued to support the Artificial Limbs and Polio Center (ALPC), managed by the Municipality of Gaza, which is the only center of its kind in Gaza that provides prosthetic and orthotic services to all. In 2014 the ALPC was forced to close for two months. The ICRC continued to provide managerial support for the ALPC directorate and a fundraising strategy for the ALPC’ was completed. Although the ALPC had contracts for its staff members there was a need for permanent contracts for technical staff (12). All five technicians in Gaza received accreditation by Ministry of Health authorities.[15]

In August 2014, Handicap International (HI) deployed teams throughout Gaza to locate people with disabilities and injuries in order to address their most urgent needs.[16] From August 2014 until the end of February 2015, HI launched an emergency response action in partnership with four disability service providers in Gaza assisting vulnerable persons affected by the war in Gaza.[17] HI donated mobility assistive devices and therapeutic materials for hospitals during the conflict and supported partners to provide multidisciplinary rehabilitation services and referrals in five governorates immediately after the conflict.[18]

The Palestine Trauma Centre in Gaza offered support from psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialist trauma counselors.[19] The Islamic University of Gaza provided support and training to improve social and economic inclusion opportunities for young people with disabilities.[20]

As part of the UN Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) efforts to serve Palestine refugees, the director of UNRWA Operations discussed economic empowerment and independence of women and employment possibilities for persons with disabilities with 27 different non-government and community based women’s organizations in Rafah, southern Gaza. The director highlighted that “there is only one way to ensure full economic development in Gaza: the illegal blockade must be lifted.” [21]

The Palestinian Disability Law was ratified in 1999, but NGOs complained of very slow implementation. It does not mandate access to buildings, information, or communications. UNRWA policy was to provide accessibility in all new structures.[22]

Palestine ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 2 April 2014.