Canada’s challenge
It’s a message that’s easily understood by people living in the ruins of their homes, on shrinking budgets and rations, without regular electricity, clean water, jobs or prospects for their children’s future.
“The slow pace of the reconstruction process combined with ascending poverty and worryingly high unemployment rates and aid dependency leads to growing frustration in Gaza,” warns the United Nations Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA.
One year after the disastrous war between Israel and Hamas, which controls the tiny coastal strip, less than one-fifth of the $5.4 billion pledged for humanitarian aid and reconstruction has trickled in. Countries such as Turkey and the Gulf States that promised the largest sums have yet to ante up. UNRWA, the cash-strapped lead agency in Gaza, says people are facing “the most severe crisis in decades.”
The war began with Gaza militants firing rockets at Israel. But in 50 days of bombing and fighting the damage was intense. Now, months after the ceasefire, not a single destroyed home has been rebuilt, and more than 50,000 families whose homes could be repaired are still waiting for funds. More than 100,000 of Gaza’s 1.8 million people are without proper shelter.
Canada has shown little compassion for Gaza since it was taken over by Hamas in 2006. Ottawa cut funding for UNRWA, although a Canadian International Development Agency report later called the chances that the money would be diverted to supporting terrorism “minimal.” And although Ottawa calls the Palestinian Territories a “country of focus,” and pledged about $96 million in aid since 2013, little finds its way to rebuild Gaza.
Nor has Ottawa’s stated concern for the welfare of children spilled over to Gaza. After the ceasefire, it turned down a proposal from University of Toronto’s Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish — whose family members were killed in a previous war — to bring badly wounded Gaza children for treatment to Canada. It said it was instead “exploring options” on how to deploy Canadian medical expertise and aid to the region.
Canada says it has spent $16 million on humanitarian aid in Gaza since the war and supports UN agencies there. But it could do more. It could increase funding for charities that have good track records of aid for Gaza, and step up funds for direct reconstruction.
Ottawa could also restore its UNRWA funding. Supporting aid for Gaza is not just a compassionate act, but a practical one for a territory that the World Bank says is “on the verge of collapse,” with youth unemployment at a staggering 60 per cent.
If the message of Gaza’s desperation is not received and acted upon, rhetorical support for Israel’s safety and security will remain just that. In a region where radical extremism is making alarming inroads, the best insurance against instability for Israel is a secure environment in which its closest neighbours do not feel they have nothing to lose.
Canada should support, or increase funding for, charities that have good track records helping Gaza