Residents of Jabalia town, and the Hikr Elsarem neighborhood in particular, approached Al Mezan through its fieldworkers and asked for intervention to resolve problems with the Municipality and the Electricity Company.
The existing electricity network is in extremely bad conditions and could potentially be dangerous for the population.
As a result of this meeting the Center complained to seniors in the company and to Jabalia Municipality expressing the urgent need to deal with the problem of the electricity network which threatens people's life in the area.
The issue was raised in the local media, including TV.
The company started with rehabilitation works of the network.
No.
of participants 43 Key Speakers: Mr.
Ramzy Hamudeh, the Electricity Company Manager – North Gaza.
Lawyer Subhi Shihab, the Legal Advisor of Jabalia Municipality.
Summary of issues raised by the guest speakers: Both the electric company and the municipality suffer from a severe lack of funds since the beginning of the Intifada.
There are problems in the electricity network, drinking water and solid-waste in the area.
The two institutions are ready to listen to the problems and are open to discuss possible solutions.
The concerned area is on the municipality's plan for development.
The residents of the area are called to cooperate with the company and the municipality to work on the problem.
There is a significant percentage of the residents who do not pay the fees regularly.
Summary of answers given by the public: There exists danger on people's safety caused by the old electricity network which could collapse at any time.
The residents of the area suffer from poor municipal services, though they adhere to their obligations towards the municipality.
There are environmental problems caused by solid-waste in the area and they should be tackled soon.
The area is considered marginalized and ignored by the municipality.
People did not know any plans to develop it.
Planned and undertaken follow-up of issues raised:
The Center's Legal Aid unit, who organized a meeting with a delegation from the area, wrote to senior representatives of the electricity company and the municipality expressing the urgent need to deal with the problem of the electricity network which threatens people's life in the area.
The Center also contacted Jabalia Municipality and urged it to deal with the environmental concerns of the population.
The issue was raised in the local media, including TV.
The company started with rehabilitation works of the network.
Summary of evaluation forms of participants and speakers:
The evaluation of the meeting is positive from the part of both the Participants and the guest speakers.
The theme, place and timing of the meeting were appropriate and the results sound.