10 August 2017
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has previously reported how humanitarian conditions in Gaza have drastically deteriorated since the closure of Gaza’s power plant in April, and the reduction in the electricity supply from Israel to Gaza since late June.
This electricity crisis affects all aspects of life for the 2 million Palestinians living there. It has damaged healthcare, education and livelihoods, and makes even everyday acts as charging phones and lighting homes a daily struggle. Blackouts across Gaza currently extend to 18-20 hours per day, though in practice many homes get less than two hours of electricity daily.
According to a new briefing by the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO), people living with disabilities have been particularly affected.
Here are six ways in which the electricity crisis has made life harder for people with disabilities in Gaza:
1. Decreased access to the local community, workplace and services
Reduced electricity supply stops lifts from operating for many hours at a time. This greatly reduces the ability of Palestinians with physical disabilities to leave their homes, whether to go to work, socialise or access services in their communities.
For 1,200 Palestinians in Gaza who use electric wheelchairs and scooters, their mobility is further compounded as these require at least eight hours of charge per day – impossible with such prolonged daily blackouts.
2. Increasing risk of unemployment
Employment is critical for realising socio-economic rights and independence. Gaza has the highest unemployment rate anywhere in the world, at 43%, and for those with disabilities the rate is over 90%.
In their briefing, PNGO raise concerns that, with its dire impact on livelihoods – from food producers prevented from refrigerating their products, to IT companies unable to power their services – the electricity crisis could further increase the unemployment of Palestinians with disabilities in Gaza.
3. Reduced rehabilitation, therapy and education services
NGOs providing services to people with disabilities have had to reduce therapy and education sessions. Equipment at rehabilitation centres that relies on electricity is often inoperable due to the lack of power.
4. Difficultly charging hearing aids
Palestinians with hearing impairments are finding it increasingly difficult to charge their hearing aids, limiting their ability to communicate with family and friends.
5. Decline in home oxygen devices
5,150 Palestinians with disabilities in Gaza have breathing difficulties, and many of them rely on assistive oxygen devices. Due to electricity shortages, many are unable to use these devices at home, and must travel to already over-stretched hospitals and clinics.
6. Discomfort and bedsores
People requiring electric/adjustable beds are unable to power them, meaning that an estimated 2,000 Palestinians with physical disabilities in Gaza are suffering from bedsores and are forced to stay in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time.
This week people in Gaza launched a social media campaign calling for the lights to be turned back on in Gaza. Join their call by checking in to the Gaza Power Plant on Facebook with the hashtag #LightsOnGaza.
