Length of interview: approximately 4 minutes
23 January 2008
CD Martha Myers was speaking by phone to television anchor; television showed footage of Gazans crossing border to Egypt, picture of Matha Myers with CARE identification, map of Gaza, Egypt and Israel at varying points throughout.
Story was identified as: Developing Story
Banner headline: Gaza Free-Flow
Subhead: Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding
Anchor lead in to introduction of Martha Myers: An Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman told CNN that the border will remain open as long as this is a humanitarian crisis. We hear of a carnival atmosphere but let’s get a better understanding of the crisis. Introduces Martha Myers (MM) from CARE, humanitarian organization in the region and asks her to describe the situation.
MM: As you’ve described, tens if not hundreds of thousands of Gazans have taken the opportunity of the opening of the border to rush into the northern Sinai towns of Rafah and El Arish and stock up on basic food, clothing and medical items before returning to the Gaza strip. I think that for Gazans it is an enormous relief just to be able to get out of Gaza, go shopping in a normal and secure environment and to replenish the depleted resources of their household.
Anchor (Tony): I get that but we’re trying for clarity here. Is this an international crisis? Is that what you’re saying? Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice hasn’t used that language. She has warned of a humanitarian crisis.
MM: Indeed, Sec. Rice has spoken of her concern of an impending crisis. However I think that the UN, CARE International, Oxfam and the World Bank are in agreement that the situation in Gaza is very dire in terms of lack of access to food, water, electricity. Hospitals have severely curtailed the services they provide, and food supplies are very, very low.
Anchor: Martha let me stoy you there. We are also getting reports that Israel has eased the blockade and that Prime Minister Olmert has promised that hospitals will get the supplies they need and that supplies won’t be denied to women and children.
MM: We certainly hope that will be the case and obviously we would applaud that. Indeed, the Israelis did soften the closure somewhat on the 22 of January to allow limited fuel supplies into the Gaza strip. Of course that has helped some.
Anchor: So Martha, where do we stand right now?
MM: Where we stand is that Gaza still lacks enough fuel to run generators for hospitals for more than a few days. Only 50 percent of the needed food entered the Gaza strip between before Christmas and the present time. Vaccines are at risk as a result of lack of ..
Anchor: Martha, I understand that. A time for other Arab nations to step up and help?
MM: I’m not quite sure. In a way the Egyptians have helped and other Arab nations have been generous in their donations. However Israel, up until the break of the border with Egypt, has controlled the ability of anybody to bring food pipes, cement, fuel into Gaza. They have absolute control over material entering the Gaza strip.
Anchor: Ok, let’s leave it there for now.
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