- UK announces additional support for UN agency as current
humanitarian funding reaches over 750,000 Palestinians
- UK is the largest contributor to a UN Humanitarian Fund which
is delivering vital support to 2.3 million people in
desperate need
- Announcement comes as UK urges Israel to reverse its plan to
expand its military operations in Gaza
UK aid funding announced today has the potential to reach
thousands of desperate civilians in Gaza if Israel allows the UN
and other agencies to operate at the scale needed.
The announcement follows the Israeli security cabinet approving a
plan to further escalate its Gaza offensive, which the
UK Prime Minister warned
would do nothing to bring an end to the conflict.
The £8.5m funding announced will be delivered through the
UN's OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)
Humanitarian Fund which targets the delivery of aid such as food,
water and fuel to the areas of Gaza in the most acute
need.
UK support delivered through OCHA has ensured critical healthcare
provisions, food and cash assistance for over 750,000
Palestinians over the conflict. OCHA's healthcare work overall,
including fuel for hospitals and medicines have benefited almost
1 million people.
But the UN agency warns that their work is being systematically
obstructed, despite their best efforts to coordinate and deliver
much needed aid.
Minister for International Development said:
“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues and we urge
Israel to reverse its decision to expand military operations. All
sides must return to the ceasefire to end the appalling
suffering and secure the release of all hostages.
“It is unacceptable that so much aid is waiting at the border -
the UK is ready to provide more through our partners, and we
demand that the Government of Israel allows more aid in safely
and securely. The insufficient amount of supplies getting through
is causing appalling and chaotic scenes as desperate civilians
try to access tiny amounts of aid.
“The UK is supporting the UN and other humanitarian partners
who are delivering desperately needed support in the most
difficult circumstances. Our announcement today will help to
address that urgent need, but only if Israel allows Gaza to be
flooded with aid.”
The UK is the largest donor to the UN OCHA pool fund in 2025,
demonstrating the government's commitment to playing a leading
role in alleviating the suffering of Gazans.
This funding is part of the UK's £101m ODA budget for the OPTs
for this financial year, of which £60m will provide
lifesaving humanitarian support. As well as delivering
humanitarian relief, UK ODA in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories is supporting Palestinian economic development and
strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform.
The UK urges Israel to reconsider its plan to further escalate
its offensive and continues to push for an immediate ceasefire,
the release of all hostages and an immediate surge in aid to
Gaza.
