Fafo-report 408

Pål Sletten and Jon Pedersen

Coping with Conflict

Palestinian Communities Two Years Into the Intifada

ISBN 82-7422-397-7
2003 76 p NOK 176,- Order no: 408 Order

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The project "Coping with Conflict"

The escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after 28 September 2000 has led to many deaths, and the destruction of infrastructure and property. As part of their response to the second intifada, the Israeli authorities imposed severe movement restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This closure has resulted in severe setbacks for the Palestinian economy, including the loss of employment and increased poverty. Now, at the end of 2002, there are few signs of a reduction in conflict, violence and economic decline.

This report describes how Palestinian households in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have adapted to conflict and closure. Based on Fafo field studies carried out in November and December 2002, the report examines the effects of aid and describes how households finance their consumption.

List of acronyms
Executive summary
Acknowledgements

1 Introduction
The towns and villages where fieldwork was conducted
The fieldwork
The ongoing intifada and conflict
Organisation of economic life under the intifada

2 Households and their work
The job-keepers
The pre-intifada poor
The hibernators
The day-to-day strugglers
The entrepreneurs
The leavers

3 Making ends meet
Consumption reduction and substitution
Living on credit
Using savings and selling assets
Relying on transfers

4 Consumption and malnutrition

5 Humanitarian assistance and development aid
The Humanitarian Plan of Action
Budget support to the Palestinian Authority
Food distribution
Employment creation
Cash assistance
6 Conclusions

References