Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza

Catholic Relief Services has worked with local partners in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza for nearly half a century. Our projects aim to support peace with justice for all people in this troubled region, while responding to the humanitarian and sustainable development needs of Palestinians.

The current crisis in the West Bank and Gaza is one of the worst humanitarian situations in the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It threatens not only the well-being of Palestinian civilians and the very poor, but also endangers prospects for a sustainable peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Four decades of occupation, expanding settlements, military operations, the Separation Wall, restrictions on the movement of people and goods, and general insecurity have devastated Palestinian society. Poverty rates are nearly 65 percent and food insecurity has risen 13 percent since 2006.

CRS programs address the severe unemployment, lack of quality education, rising food insecurity and lack of opportunities for Palestinians.

Due to restrictions on movement, CRS JWBG maintains three offices in the West Bank (in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Hebron) and one in Gaza City. The country program is headed by Thomas Garofalo.