The Conservatory's program in Bethlehem is continuing, but is geographically isolated from its activities in Ramallah. Al'a, a Gaza Women's Loan Fund borrower, and Abu Al'a had to let go four employees. To reach clients, staff navigate road barriers and Israeli military checkpoints that separate Gaza into northern, middle and southern zones. Like thousands of Gaza residents, the loan officers live in one zone and work in another. Not surprisingly when events unexpectedly flare up, visits with borrowers are often rescheduled or cancelled.
Borrowers face similar constraints when they struggle to reach the bank to make repayments.
The GWLF is providing loans, but at a significantly reduced scale and primarily to businesses that do not require traveling. During times of curfew imposed by the Israeli military, people sometimes have only two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening to conduct business or run errands. Meanwhile the GWLF is doing its utmost to provide capital to small businesses that generate an income for the family. An immediate result of the disturbances over the past months is the depletion of medicine and medical supplies in local hospitals and clinics. Since late September, the Al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron, West Bank, has treated over 450 victims of violence, most of whom were seriously injured.