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Hi to all of you

My name is Yasser Alhaj from Palestine

I would like to inform you about our Karama project

Karama is a newly established non-governmental organization situated in Deheishe Refugee Camp near the West Bank city of Bethlehem. Since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000 the inhabitants of the camp are – just like their compatriots in other refugee camps in the greater region – surrounded by an environment of violence and hatred, devastation and poverty as well as fear and despair. The Palestinian economy, already suffering tremendously from the ongoing roadblockades, restrictions and curfews, is about to break down. As a result of the Intifada Israel has tightened up the situation. The policy of eliminating potential enemies of the Israeli state but actually killing civilians when those actions are carried out, the destruction of houses and the siege of whole cities and areas is now part of the daily Palestinian life.

Thousands of people have been killed or injured so that they cannot provide basic needs for their families. As a result of the Israeli siege and closure policy, the majority of the Palestinians became unemployed. In addition to this they suffer from collective punishment including invasions, curfews and checkpoints. This makes everyday life and work hard and risky. Many ordinary families have lost children and homes and along with it the taste of life. The occupation has changed everybody's life, including children's, and results in the loss of hope, happiness and peace. Moreover, those children grow up without gardens, playgrounds, libraries and activity centers.

In these adverse circumstances Karama's center in Deheisha Refugee Camp could well be considered an oasis which provides a safe place for women, children and adolescents offering them different activities and supporting them in many fields. Karama (Arabic for dignity) is working independently and is not affiliated with any political party or movement. Karama has established partnerships with different organizations.

Karama's center is open seven days a week from 9 am to 6 pm during holidays and from 1 pm to 6 pm whilst schooltime – sometimes even longer. The focus is mainly aimed at children between 10 and 14 years and adolescents up to 24 years of age. On an area of 110 square meters there are four rooms which can be used simultaneously for activities. Day by day up to 40 children, boys and girls, are taking part in the center's activities. Yet, the children are not “consuming” the activities in a passive manner, but the tutors stimulate them to bring in their own ideas and to organize those activities which they desire themselves.

Karama's activities are only limited by the lack of space and money. Karama is running all its activities with a monthly budget of barely more than 2,500 NIS ($620) – including expenses for rent, maintainance, electricity, water and telephone. Thus the whole crew, teachers and trainers, not only has to work voluntarily, they often pay for some of the activities out of their own pockets.

KEY INFORMATION (source: UNICEF )

POVERTY

By June 2002 two-thirds of Palestinian households were living below the poverty line (less than US$ 2 per day) compared with 21% prior to the current conflict in September 2000.

Unemployment has risen from 10% before the current conflict to almost 50%.

35% of households are reducing the quantity of food they eat – 65% limit meat and fruit consumption.

63.8% of households have faced difficulties getting food supply.

In the period March – June 2002, 22% of West Bank villages experienced foot shortages, 33% experienced water cut-offs and 4% experienced electricity cut-offs.

EDUCATION

In the first month of the school year 2002/2003, more than 220,000 children were prevented from attending school.

197 schools have been shelled.

25 schools have been broken into.

7 schools have been closed under Israeli military orders.

15 schools have been converted into Israeli military bases of which a remaining 3 are currently being used for these purposes.

275 schools are situated close to flash points in the current conflict

69% of Palestinian schools in West Bank villages were closed at least once in the period March – June 2002 due to violence and Israeli military imposing mobility restrictions.

HEALTH

36.4% of households are not able to access health services. 59% report difficulties in paying for the cost of treatment.
50% of health staff spend an average of 2-4 hours more per day in travel time getting to work.
In the period March – June 2002, at least 10 neonatal deaths occurred in West Bank villages due to Israeli military imposed restrictions preventing access to health services.

From March – June 2002, at least 12,190 Palestinian children under 5 living in West Bank villages were denied routine immunisation due to violence and Israeli imposed mobility restrictions. 80% of parents have noticed changes in their children's behaviour, including problems sleeping, being afraid and finding it hard to concentrate.

Repeated exposure to the sound of shooting and/or shelling in their community is the major cause for psychological problems for 73% of affected children. Children most vulnerable to emotional and psychological problems live in refugee camps, are poor and are girls older than five. 66% of people report greater levels of violence among children and youth.

VIOLENCE

More than 1,744 Palestinians and 565 Israelis have been killed since September 29, 2000
More than 395 children under the age of 18 have been killed including 323 Palestinians and 72 Israelis.
Over the past two years, around 24% of Palestinians killed were below the age of 18.
More than 33% of Palestinian children killed in the year 2001 were under the age of 12.
29% of Palestinian children have been killed by live ammunition fired at the head.
38% of Palestinian children have died from injuries sustained to the head, while over 65% have sustained fatal injuries to the upper body.
40% of Palestinian children killed in 2001 were inside their homes, or on their way to school or in school.
At least 39 Palestinian children have been born at Israeli military checkpoints.
At least 2 died following delievery.
An estimated 2,500 Palestinians will experience long-term disabilities due to their injuries, including over 530 children.

Yasser Alhaj