Contracting party: UN-Habitatt
Funded By: UN-Habitat and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
Starting Date: November 2020
Ending Date: January 2021
The project aims at enhancing the mental and physical health and wellbeing of elderly people whilst simultaneously enabling self-sufficiency of their households through the full implementation of 60 (wicking beds) crops planting systems for 60 family in the target communities. Considering that the elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups to the COVID-19 pandemic, this intervention aims at improving the environmental and social dimensions within households in the dense areas of the targeted cities which are Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, through introducing new home-based agro-technologies to secure more food for the vulnerable and elderly people; this will enable them to introduce urban gardens by utilizing front and backyards, balconies, roofs, etc. The home gardens will be mainly looked after by the elderly within the household, with the support of their families as a social activity and a chance to enhance the experience of the built environment post-lockdown. Moreover, the intervention seeks to enhance the livelihoods and food security of targeted households, by providing them with opportunities to be more food-secure and self-sufficient in terms of access to basic vegetables and greens during the pandemic in light of the continued restrictions on mobility of goods, food and people.