Access Coordination Unit


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OCHA oPt. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

OCHA oPt. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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The Access Coordination Unit

Access is a fundamental prerequisite to effective humanitarian and developmental action. The lack of unfettered access to and from the oPt, Israel and neighboring countries has impeded the effective provision of assistance while increasing the time and cost involved in doing so.

In support of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, the Inter-Agency Access Coordination Unit (ACU) was established in 2008 in order to develop a centralized, and pro-active access strategy for both humanitarian staff and goods.

WASH 'Restricted Materials' Requests

>> 16 WASH projects, valued at USD 71 million, cannot be completed due to delays in receiving approvals for 'restricted materials' access to Gaza.

>> These projects will provide critical access to water and sanitation for 1.3 million beneficiaries in Gaza.

Humanitarian Access - Gaza Permits

>>In 2012, 527 permit request for INGOs’ International staff to enter Gaza were approved. Out of these 527 permits, 353 permits (67%) were approved on time for travelling in the requested date and 174 permits (33%) were approved after the requested date for travelling. The average time frame for approving a permit during 2012 was 22 days.

>>In 2012 UN Agencies submitted 784 permit requests on behalf of their staff wishing to enter and exit the Gaza Strip; 83% of them were approved. Approval rate for Gaza related UN permits has been increasing for the third consecutive year.

Status of the UN Reconstruction Programme for Gaza

>>The UN reconstruction programme for Gaza consists of 142 projects, valued at USD 840 million, and includes over 11,000 housing units, 105 schools, 7 health facilities and a number of water, sanitation, electric and infrastructure projects. Since January 2010, 58% of the UN reconstruction programme has been submitted to Israeli authorities for approval, valued at USD 489 million.

>>On average it takes 12 months for UN projects to receive a response to project requests from Israeli authorities. Currently, 73% of submitted projects have been approved. Approved projects, valued at USD 354 million, include 3,260 housing units, 60 schools, 7 health facilities and 25 water and sanitation projects. As of December 2012, 22% of approved projects had been completed, 52% are on-going and 25% will begin soon (1% of approved projects have been suspended for various reasons).

>>A number of projects, valued at USD 73 million, are still pending approval, and have been for an average 8 months. Pending projects include 33 schools and a range of electric, water and sanitation projects.

>>A further 13% of the UN programme, valued at USD 61 million, has been denied approval, including almost 400 housing units and 12 schools.

Access Incidents Through oPt 2012

535 Incidents

1983:39 Hours lost.

76% Involving UN staff members.

46% Insistance on searching.

More...