Agencies call for lifting of blockade in Gaza
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Israeli blockade hurting Gazan export businesses
Seven United Nations Agencies and a number of international charities have called for the lifting of the blockade imposed on Gaza by Israel.
The agencies signed a statement on Thursday to mark the fifth year since the start of the blockade.
They say that more than 1.6 million people, more than half of whom are children, have been under the blockade.
The head of the UN Refugee Agency for Palestine Refugees, Filippo Grandi Grandi says the blockade is having a negative impact on the economy of Gaza.
"Of course, because of the blockade we are also obliged to conduct humanitarian activities which really should be unnecessary. Gaza needs development not humanitarian work but because of the blockade and the way it affects fatally the economy, especially in the private sector, poverty is rampant and unemployment is very high and all sorts of other problems have emerged and therefore we need to also conduct humanitarian work. We would like to do more development but that's what we are obliged to do." (Duration: 28")
