In presence of 70 young men and women from the Integrity School from different regions of the West Bank and the youth from the Gaza Strip participating via Zoom,
The AMAN Coalition and Sharek Youth Forum organize the 2024 Youth Summit on Emergency Response Preparedness in Palestine
Ramallah - In light of the mass genocide that the Palestinian people are going through in the Gaza Strip, the occupation's continuous incursions and the destruction of infrastructure and all life facilities in Palestinian cities and camps, Integrity School youth questioned officials and decision makers about the extent of preparedness and response to emergency situations in Palestine, in the presence of the Minister of State for Relief Affairs, Dr. Basil Nasser, the Assistant Head of the Energy and Natural Resources Authority for Technical Matters, Engineer Ayman Ismail, and Director General of Resources and Control in the Palestinian Water Authority, Engineer Majida Alawneh.
The youth focused their questioning on three sectors, namely: The discussions focused on the Ministry of Relief's plan to address the great challenges in light of the ongoing war and the sharp decline in the state budget, as well as the government's plan to provide relief to our people in the Gaza Strip and in targeted areas that are subject to repeated invasions in the West Bank. They also focused on the Energy and Natural Resources Authority's measures to provide support, assistance and protection to citizens in the current state of war in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, in addition to their focus on the existence of a clear and specific emergency plan for the Water Authority and its inclusion of all possible scenarios, in addition to the existence of a clear and specific contingency plan for the Water Authority.
Under the current situation, and in order to confront the fierce Israeli war by strengthening the internal front and enhancing the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land, the youth raised their demands, which were summarized as the need for the government to adopt an integrated and comprehensive plan for emergency response in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in a participatory approach with all governmental and civil institutions, the private sector, and youth. They also demanded the government to provide sufficient financial resources to implement the plan, and to provide and harness government resources for emergency relief in Gaza and the West Bank, especially in the most affected areas. In addition, the youth demanded that the Energy Authority should prepare for the emergency situation, through a sub-plan of action emanating from the national plan, and provide alternatives in the event of escalation and potential interruption of energy supplies, especially electricity. They youth called for immediate action to provide alternatives, through a systematic shift towards solar energy, and supply of sufficient fuel for generators to ensure the minimum elements of survival. The youth urged the Water Authority to prepare for the emergency situation, through a sub-plan of action emanating from the national plan, and provide alternatives in worst-case scenario and the interruption of water supplies from Israeli companies supplying water. They insisted on immediate action to provide alternatives, preserve the available water resources in areas rich in groundwater, and coordinate with the Energy Authority in providing renewable energy resources for artesian wells and pumping and desalination plants.
