Silver Spring, January 16, 2009 - CHF International, the biggest food aid distributor in Gaza, has delivered essential food parcels to over 110,000 people since the conflict began.
In spite of restrictions and transport difficulties, and operating when security conditions allow, CHF's Gaza courageous team reaches up to 7000 people each day and supports two bakeries with flour.
The most recent distributions, on Wednesday, were to 591 families from Al Shaja'ia, Al Daraj and Al Zaiton areas within Gaza, who received food parcels that contain enough staples to last two months. The average family size in the Gaza Strip is seven.
CHF has 18 warehouses containing food, plastic sheeting and other shelter materials, ready to be distributed to the people of Gaza as security conditions allow, and work within a well established network of local associations and partner NGOs.
CHF in the Palestinian Territories
CHF International is one of the largest implementing agencies in Gaza. Our current programs include a food for work program, implemented jointly with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), through which we provide a food basket of wheat flour, beans and oil to 127,000 beneficiaries in exchange for community service work. CHF International implements a USAID-funded local governance program, working with six municipalities to improve community services and basic infrastructure. CHF International also manages a microfinance program which provides housing and small business loans.
Since 1994, CHF has successfully managed 12 programs in the Palestinian Territories designed to support local democratic reform, infrastructure and emergency job creation, community services, and development finance. CHF's diversity of programs is testament to the fact that we are a dynamic organization that is able to effectively meet a variety of changing needs. CHF is skilled in implementing programs that bring together a variety of partners and is recognized by multiple funding agencies, Palestinian community leaders, municipality officials, and NGOs for our ability to rapidly respond to needs on the ground and make tangible and lasting improvements.
For more information: contact David Humphries, Communications Manager, on 301 563 1891, email dhumphries@chfinternational.org. Daily updates are posted on www.chfinternational.org.