United Nations Development Programme

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

The incidence of poverty in the oPt has been deteriorating since the beginning of the Second Intifada in September 2000 due to the persistent Israeli occupation and the absence of political and economic stability. In 2007, more than 53.7 percent of the households are living below national poverty line compared to 23.3 percent in 1998. The uncertainty regarding the evolution of the political and economic context, and lack of adequate coverage of assistance to the population above hardship poverty, nearly 2/3rd of the poor, or those clustered just above the poverty line, increases the probability of poor Palestinians lapsing back under the national poverty line. The persisting regime of closure, and it’s effects makes forecasting for medium and longer term problematic. The WFP and FAO estimates of 2007 indicate that 41 percent of the population is food insecure and does not receive adequate food to meet minimum nutritional requirements. Food insecurity is, inter alia, reflected in a rise of the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five years of age from 7.5 percent in 1996 to 10.4 percent in 2007. If the current situation persists, standards of health will likely suffer long-term damage and social stability will be at risk.