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Many Gazans are turning to fraud to obtain assistance

Harsh economic conditions are forcing many Gazans to use deceptive methods to obtain aid, otherwise reserved for pregnant women, unemployed breadwinners and refugees.
Palestinians collect food supplies from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 20, 2012. A group of 38 aid agencies urged the international community to take action to secure a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent "another widespread humanitarian disaster." AFP PHOTO/ SAID KHATIB        (Photo credit should read SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The aid programs of international and local organizations that provide financial and food assistance to Gaza residents are essential. But to be eligible for aid certain conditions must be met by Gazan families. For instance, the family’s breadwinner must be unemployed or disabled, and some aid only applies to pregnant women or Palestinian refugees.

As a result, Gazans to whom the eligibility requirements do not apply have been looking for other ways to be considered for assistance, in light of the deterioration of living conditions and the lack of sources of income and employment.

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