Gaza Urban Voucher Programme (UVP) and Rabbit Raising Intervention

The humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory
(oPt) is a complex emergency caused primarily by persistent
civil, political, and military conflict. The conflict has been
marked by periods of differing intensity. Following the
second Intifada (upsurge) in 2000, the Israeli government
tightened it’s grip on the movement of goods and people in
and out of the territory. The Gaza Strip has been blockaded
since the Hamas Party took control in June 2007. There
have been extreme restrictions on the import and export
of goods and restrictions in the freedom of movement in
and out of the territory. ‘Operation Cast Lead’ launched by
the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in December 2008/January
2009 resulted in a large number of deaths and wounded
and caused widespread destruction of housing and
infrastructure. Despite the unilateral ceasefire declared by
Israel on 18 January 2009, violence is still an ever-present
reality. Furthermore, the improvements in the security
situation have not been accompanied by a reduction
in border restrictions for people and goods. Gaza’s
established crossings remain for the most part sealed off
and tunnels now play a significant role in the economy.
The Urban Vouchers Programme (UVP) began at the end
of 2009 when the food prices had stabilised sufficiently to
allow for the implementation of such a project.