First Minister, MS and Cabinet Secretary
for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, MS: This week, like millions
around the world, we have welcomed the ceasefire agreement
between Israel and Hamas, and the return of the remaining Israeli
hostages held. We now hope this will become a lasting peace
settlement and there will be no return to the cycle of violence
which has plagued the lives of Palestinians and Israelis.
In October 2024, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched
its Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to bring relief to the people
of Gaza and Lebanon. On the advent of the appeal, the Welsh
Government donated £100,000 and gave a further £100,000 donation
in January 2025.
There is now a renewed opportunity for aid agencies and their
partners to get urgently needed food, shelter, water and medical
care into the Gaza strip.
For this reason, the Welsh Government will be providing a further
donation of £250,000 to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal
to support the aid effort.
New aid access routes, and the opportunity to use existing routes
more widely because of the ceasefire, will allow DEC charities
and their local partners to increase the amount of food and other
urgent aid they can deliver into Gaza, reaching more families in
need.
The DEC brings together leading organisations in the UK to raise
funds for overseas emergencies, coordinating an effective
humanitarian response, getting aid quickly to people who need it
in the most cost-effective manner possible. We are grateful that
the appeal has raised £3.1m in Wales so far, and £50m at UK
level. The Cabinet Secretary will be meeting with DEC Cymru to
discuss the recent donation and to learn more about the renewed
aid effort.
Wales is also involved in the UK-wide effort to support injured
children from Gaza in receiving medical treatment in the UK.
I am pleased to confirm the first of the children and their
families have safely arrived in Wales, where they are being
provided with very much needed medical and emotional support and,
of course, an environment of peace and comfort, during their stay
here in Wales. We expect to be able to welcome the next arrivals
later this month.
I am sure Members and the Welsh public will join me in welcoming
those who have been so heavily impacted by the awful suffering in
Gaza and ensure they are treated with the dignity and compassion
they deserve.
