US consul general announces envision Gaza 2020 program

The US Consul General in Jerusalem Donald Blome on Monday hosted “Grown in Gaza”, an event bringing together policy-makers, Palestinian farmers, and journalists to highlight the potential of Gaza's agricultural sector. 

He also announced the five-year, $50 million Envision Gaza 2020 USAID program, which will provide urgent humanitarian support, job creation, and capacity building – markedly expanding U.S. assistance efforts for Gaza.

During the ceremony, Blome said that access to water and land in Gaza, one of the most densely populated regions of the world, is a formidable challenge but even after that, “Gazan farmers must contend with some of the highest shipping costs in the world, long wait times for their produce under the blazing sun, and phytosanitary and quality standards enforced by multiple entities.”

“In addition to widespread destruction of homes and factories, the 2014 conflict did enormous damage to the agricultural sector in Gaza—the backbone of the Gaza economy.  Twenty six thousand farmers lost their livelihoods; the conflict left over 550 million dollars in damages and destroyed almost 800 water wells,” he remarked.

“Everyone here tonight has been focused on solutions; solutions on how to grow produce in one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and solutions on how to lower shipping costs or secure access to markets.”

Source: WAFA