WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich convened a briefing on Capitol Hill. He invited two humanitarian workers to discuss the state of the Gaza Strip. Congressman Brian Baird of Washington state was in attendance and contributed comments. The packed room included many hill staffers, activists and humanitarian relief professionals.

U.S. Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich

“The people are severely traumatized,” said Andrew Whitley, Director of the Representative Office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in New York. UNRWA is the chief agency responsible for the well-being of the refugees registered with the United Nations. It was the primary U.N. agency in Gaza, and managed several of the sites destroyed by Israeli fire, including the school in Beit Lahiya and the shelter where more than 40 Palestinians were killed.

Whitley focused on his agency’s efforts and the importance of countries following through on their pledged donations. He reported they have been very generous, pledging more than $600 million to Gaza.

Whitley also noted because of the political stalemate between Israel and Hamas, the international community carries the burden. The policies get in the way of recovery, however. He called for opening the main commercial crossings to allow a greater flow of aid in. While Israel allows 80-90 trucks in per day, this only meets 10% of what is needed for recovery.

Samer Badawi, Director of United Palestinian Appeal (UPA), followed up with personal anecdotes about doing relief work in Gaza. Established in 1978, United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) was the first Palestinian-American charity to be registered with the USAID. It has a small staff of 4 full-time employees and a budget of only $1 million. It is giving small grants to groups in Gaza. For example, they sent $5,000 to a school for orphans to provide them with food for a few weeks. They send similar grants to other local groups.

In Gaza, he noted, the majority of refugees, who make up 80% of the population, did not have access to electricity or clean drinking water before the recent invasion. This has only worsened. Now, there are 90,000 homeless Palestinians, many of whom are living in tent cities. Groups on the ground are asking for medicine, food, clothes and cash for procuring supplies locally.

Badawi was most forceful in arguing that United States regulations against giving to certain groups and organizations in Gaza has limited their ability to do their work. He said the government has a 300-page long list of people and groups who cannot receive aid from any American organizations. They treat “everyone in Gaza as a suspect.” This is a leftover from the Patriot Act’s prohibitions against providing material support to terrorist groups. The list is far-reaching as it also covers affiliates, associates, and low-level members.

Members of the audience asked what the Obama administration will do if Israel re-invades Gaza. Congressman Kucinich said he believes they are “quite mindful of the danger of escalation.” He also cited the more than $20 million in aid announced by the new envoy George Mitchell and Obama’s appearance on Al-Arabiya as indications of possible changes in policy down the road.

This issue has re-energized Arab American organizations in Washington, DC. They worked behind-the-scenes to get a letter from more than sixty members of Congress to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raising concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The January 27th letter read, “it is critical that the United States play a leading role in alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza and we respectfully urge your assistance in this task.”

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has mobilized to support House Resolution 66. This bill calls for “an unconditional cease-fire and for Israel to permit the free flow of humanitarian aid.” It was co-sponsored by ten members of Congress, and has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Those who want to help should contact members of that committee and their own members of Congress.

ADC is also asking Arab Americans to call their representatives to oppose House Concurrent Resolution 29 (H. Con. Res 29) which attacks the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA). The bill claims UNRWA supports terror organizations.