News Release

Study shows devastating impact of 2009 Israel attack on Gaza Strip

Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Lancet_DELETED

The devastating impact of the 2009 Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip is detailed by one of the Abstracts published Online by The Lancet this week, written by Dr Niveen Abu-Rmeileh, Institute of Community and Public Health-Birzeit University, West Bank, occupied Palestinian territory, and colleagues.

The authors analysed health-related quality of life in terms of health before and after the invasion, and factors associated with poor quality of life; and the most urgent needs of a representative sample of adults living in the Gaza strip. They collected data using a randomly selected survey of oPt households, which consisted of questions in three sections about demographic, socioeconomic, and health information about all members of the household; housing characteristics, amenities, access to basic services, and events taking place during and after the attacks; and quality of life, distress, insecurities, and threats (with focus on adults ≥18 years). Some questions were specifically about the periods 6 months before the invasion, during the invasion, and 6 months after the invasion. The prevalence of all injuries and disabilities irrespective of the cause were extracted from different questions.

A representative sample of 3017 households (1% of total households within the Gaza Strip) were visited, with a response rate of 97%. Almost a third of the sample population was displaced during the war, while 39% of these 3017 homes were completely (1%) or partly (38%) destroyed. Three quarters of these homes had yet to be repaired at the end of the study (by August 29, 2009). 137 (0•7%) household members had injuries from various causes: Three-quarters of these were caused by the war (from the start of the attack until the time of the survey [July 14, to Aug 29, 2009]); and 4% of 321 disabilities were caused by the attack. More than seven in ten homes were reliant on food aid.

Quality of life was rated as less than good (out of five categories very good, good, neither good nor poor, poor, very poor) by half of respondents at the time of the survey compared with 39% during the period before the war. 52% of men rated quality of life as less than good versus 48% of women. Other factors also came into play in respondents' answers on quality of life. 69% of respondents with no one working at home rated quality of life as less than good versus 41% with one or more household members working full-time; 60% of respondents with damaged homes rated quality of life as less-than-good versus 43% of those with intact homes. Finally 57% of respondents whose families received food aid versus rated quality of life as less-than-good versus 30% of respondents whose families did not.

Furthermore, 85% of respondents had moderate or high levels of insecurities, fears, and threats, whereas half reported moderate or high levels of distress. Respondents were also assessed for their level of suffering in a number of categories on a scale of 0 to 10 where 10 was the worst. 92% of respondents rated their suffering as 8 or higher due to the siege at the time of the survey (Jul to Aug 2009); 90% rated their suffering as eight or higher due to the Israeli occupation, 85% as 8 or higher due to the latest war, and 83% rated their suffering as 8 or higher due to internal Palestinian fighting.

A number of crucial needs were identified by the survey: home repair was urgently needed by 58% of households with homes damaged during the war; a source of livelihood* by 2249 (75%); and utilities (water, electricity, cooking gas) were urgently needed by 56%.

The authors conclude: "The Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has had a negative effect on the quality of life of adults in the general population, and has resulted in high levels of reported distress, human insecurity, and social suffering. The siege on this region continues to be the main obstacle for improvement of the living conditions and quality of life of the population, and is a priority for action."

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Dr Niveen Abu-Rmeileh, Institute of Community and Public Health-Birzeit University, West Bank, occupied Palestinian territory. T) +972-2-2982020 E) nrmeileh@birzeit.edu

Full Abstract: http://press.thelancet.com/optaftermath.pdf

Note to editors: * The siege affected the economic development in the Gaza Strip and resulted in a reduction of cash liquidity. The term 'livelihood need' is a combination of different needs reported by the respondent and this include the need for liquidity, the need for work for cash, having main a source for income and work rehabilitation. This lack of work opportunities are the result of chronic siege.


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