FAO Emergency Projects Aid Gaza’s Agricultural Recovery
BEIJING, Feb. 22 – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated on Feb. 21 that Gaza’s blockade has blocked imports of key raw materials and equipment for agricultural production. To address this, FAO is rolling out emergency projects to help Gaza’s population restore agriculture.
Per the UN website, 80% of Gaza’s people now rely on food aid, making locally grown produce a critical food source. Gaza’s agriculture and fisheries have been hit hard by restricted raw material trade and fishing limitations.
FAO currently runs 14 emergency projects in the West Bank and Gaza, with 85% focused on the West Bank. Low aid for Gaza stems from difficulties in getting goods and facilities into the region, though FAO is making every effort to overcome these barriers.
The projects aim to restore Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure (e.g., greenhouses, irrigation systems), boost local agricultural capacity, and improve livelihoods for farmers, herders, and fishers.
FAO has sought to purchase some needed agricultural materials locally in Gaza, but items like greenhouse plastic sheets require international sourcing—these materials are now pending Israeli clearance.
Additionally, FAO provides training to Gaza’s agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, and food processing sectors. It has also launched a small-scale avian flu prevention program to enhance Gaza’s capacity for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating the disease.
