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Average Palestinian income reduced by 50 percent |
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Saturday, 14 June 2003 |
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics June 10 released a survey showing that Palestinian average income has been reduced by 50 percent since September 2000, Le Figaro (France) reports. The average monthly income went down from $500 to $280 in the West Bank, and from $400 to $240 in Gaza; 63.3 percent of Palestinians today live under the poverty line, the survey further says.
In other news, The main UN relief agency assisting Palestine refugees has launched an urgent appeal to the international community for $103 million to support its emergency activities in the second half of 2003. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA), the largest development and emergency relief agency in the Middle East, said the funds are needed to provide food aid, shelter, medical care and counseling for children who have been traumatized by violence.
Launching the appeal in Geneva, UNRWAs Commissioner-General, Peter Hansen, emphasized that even if the recently re-started peace negotiations are successful, the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian refugees will remain great for the foreseeable future. |
