UNFPA in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Protecting Pregnant Women

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Ongoing conflict with Israel has led to serious deterioration in the human development situation of the Palestinian people. The difficulty of traveling through checkpoints has left thousands of pregnant women without access to live-saving medical assistance. Protecting expectant mothers has been a top priority for UNFPA’s Palestinian office since the outbreak of the Intifada. But increased assistance is urgently needed.

The Palestinian National Authority’s Commitment to Development

Despite the destructive effects of occupation, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has made progress in building institutions, providing services and infrastructure projects, and developing relationships with the community and the private sector, to help rebuild and foster sustainable human development. In the mid-1990s, with UNFPA support, the PNA carried out the first Palestinian census in 30 years, to help plan for the needs of its population. The PNA also worked with UNFPA and other partners to develop a Comprehensive Development Framework, to identify the development challenges facing the Palestinian people so that the PNA, UNFPA and other partners can effeciently address them together

Meeting the Development Goals of the Palestinian People

Since the resumption of hostilities in 2000, UNFPA efforts have focused on providing emergency assistance, particularly for reproductive health services and safe delivery assistance to vulnerable Palestinian women and girls. The Fund is also working to help rebuild the Palestinian Authority’s capacity to collect economic and demographic data, and to help the Palestinian people achieve their human development goals, including:

• Eradicating Extreme Poverty
• Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering Women
• Improving Maternal Health
• Reducing Child Mortality

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