Violaine Gagnet was in Jerusalem when the Gaza Strip was hit by its most recent crisis, which claimed thousands of victims, many of whom were civilians and children. From late December 2008, the Handicap International expanded its teams to provide aid to the population, which had been severely affected by the crisis, with help targeted specifically at the most vulnerable populations.

What actions has Handicap International taken in the Palestinian territories?
The association has been present in the area since 1996 and performs rehabilitation activities in Gaza and in the West Bank. The projects were set up before the Israeli Operation Cast Lead, which began at the end of 2008. They related to rehabilitation, training for physiotherapists and occupational therapists and the distribution of mobility aids (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.). Mobile teams performed outreach work to supply local inhabitants with rehabilitation care. Education and awareness raising campaigns were also organized to promote the rights of people with disabilities.

What has Handicap International done since the crisis hit the region?
 More than 1,500 people died in the conflict and 5,600 others were injured. Handicap International organized seven mobile rehabilitation teams as part of its aid effort. The association distributed mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and crutches, directly to hospitals. One person in Shifa Hospital was responsible for recording the details of all injured patients with a goal of arranging home visits and providing them with the necessary rehabilitation care. Several hundred people were fitted with orthopedic materials. The association also distributed emergency kits containing blankets, mattresses and stoves to local inhabitants as part of its outreach work. This provided an opportunity to find out more about their injuries and to assess their needs to provide an appropriate response. These projects are still operational and include rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy (which consist of adapting a disabled person's environment). We are also coordinating our efforts with various disability stakeholders. The project passed from emergency to development status on July 1, 2009. However, this experience taught us that we must also prepare to respond more effectively to any possible new conflicts.

What has changed for the population since last year?
The crisis has, of course, made the situation worse. Although things are quieter now than they were a year ago, the population is living in constant fear of a new conflict, which could break out at any moment. Despite all of that, day-to-day life is quickly returning to normal because people cannot leave Gaza and therefore cannot flee these conflicts. They therefore have no other choice than to put up with the situation. With 1.5 million inhabitants, the Gaza Strip is the most densely populated area in the world. The economic situation is extremely serious, with an unemployment rate of around 70 percent. In this situation, it is extremely difficult for the population and for the youngest inhabitants, in particular, to make plans for the future.

People with disabilities are particularly affected