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To: Cindy
In the meantime, the United States -- which is already the biggest humanitarian aid donor in Gaza -- is going to be announcing an additional $400 million in assistance for housing, school construction, business development -- not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank, because we think it’s important for us to reaffirm once again our commitment to improving the day-to-day lives of ordinary Palestinians.

The Kenyan Clown certainly is free-handed with our tax dollars!

The CIA lists the population of Gaza as 1,604,238, and the population for the West Bank as 2,514,845 (assuming that we aren't double-counting here; the CIA's website unfortunately isn't as clear about "who is counted where" as I would like.) That means that we are going to be sending $400 million to roughly 4 million people, or just about $100 per head.

Considering that the average income is maybe around $1,500 (the CIA doesn't list average income, just a "GDP per capita (PPP)" of $2,900 with an apparent PPP conversion factor about 2, so take this with a huge grain of salt, my guess is that average income is actually under $1,000), so this is roughly giving each person there another 6%-10% of their annual income.

Of course, none of this money will actually go to any ordinary folks; the prevalent corruption will make certain that it all goes into a few pockets.

16 posted on 06/09/2010 6:30:58 PM PDT by snowsislander (In this election year, please ask your candidates if they support repeal of the 1968 GCA.)
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To: snowsislander

If I have a chance I’ll look it up, but I believe household income in the West Bank is in the area of $1,600, maybe higher given the expansion the last year or so. Gaza, around $900. Both numbers significantly lower in real, not adjusted, terms since the Oslo process began.


19 posted on 06/09/2010 7:16:22 PM PDT by SJackson (most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it, M Sanger)
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To: snowsislander

Should have also mentioned that the numbers are hard to come by and highly questionable from the perspective of decision making since such a high percentage, over 50% in Gaza, comes from aid. BHO may have just created an on paper “boom” in Gaza, which means nothing to anyone other than those handling the wire transfers.


20 posted on 06/09/2010 7:20:59 PM PDT by SJackson (most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it, M Sanger)
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