Gaza in the Dark

Decided to share this fresh and updated information from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian Territories (OCHA).

I was walking home this week, and realized the amount of generators that were running, there' s a constant buzzing sound all over the city. Only some families own one-- but most turn on candles and sit in the dark.

Here's the answer:


Published: Dec 21, 2009

"The majority of the population in Gaza is experiencing power cuts that reach up to 32 hours per week due to the ongoing electricity deficit, which is around 25 percent compared to the winter season demand, as estimated by the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO). Restrictions on the entry of industrial fuel to operate the Gaza Power Plant (GPP) remain one of the main causes for the power cuts. Approximately 2.25 million litres of industrial fuel entered Gaza this week, constituting around 70 percent of the weekly amount of fuel needed to operate the GPP. If more is fuel allowed into Gaza, electricity production could increase from 60 to 75 megawatts.

In addition, over 40,000 people remain with no electricity, as networks that sustained severe damage during Israel’s “Cast Lead” offensive have not yet been repaired. This is due to the continued Israeli restrictions on the entry of the supplies needed to repair these networks; according to GEDCO, there are currently 240 items waiting to be cleared to enter Gaza."