- Prime Minister announces £10 million package of support for
Palestinian civilians in response to escalating
conflict
- Funding is an increase of a third on existing aid and
will provide essential relief items and services, such as food,
water and emergency shelter to meet needs on the
ground
- In statement to Parliament, PM makes clear the UK’s
unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ actions and support for
Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international
law
Today [Monday 16 October] the Prime Minister has announced a
further £10 million in humanitarian aid funding for civilians in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the
escalating conflict.
He made the announcement in a statement to the House of Commons,
in which he also reiterated the UK’s condemnation of Hamas’
actions in both Israel and Gaza, and called for immediate access
for humanitarian organisations to be allowed to deliver
life-saving aid.
This latest commitment is in response to the worsening
humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of key goods
and widespread displacement due to the
conflict.
This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN
agencies to provide essential relief items and services. These
could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the
needs on the ground.
The UK is also exploring options for moving humanitarian supplies
closer to the region and is liaising with aid agencies in the
region to ensure relief supplies can be distributed as quickly
and effectively as possible.
Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister said:
I’m proud that we are a longstanding and significant provider of
humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. And I can announce
today that we are increasing our aid by a third, with an
additional £10 million of support.
An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must
respond. We must support the Palestinian people – because they’re
victims of Hamas too.
Foreign Secretary said:
We are committed to supporting the Palestinian people – they are
victims of Hamas too. This funding will provide
vital, lifesaving support to Palestinian civilians who are caught
up in this conflict and are in desperate need of help.
The UN estimates that over 1 million Palestinians have been
displaced so far. Prior to the recent escalation of hostilities,
the UN estimated that nearly 60% of people in Gaza already needed
humanitarian assistance, including over 1.5 million people in
need of food assistance and 1.6 million in need of health and
nutrition assistance.
Today’s announcement is a 37% uplift to the existing £27m of UK
funding this year which is already providing critical support to
the region, including an extra £10 million announced by the Foreign
Secretary during his visit last month. We will consider further
support depending on the changing humanitarian needs on the
ground.
The UK remains committed to mitigating the deteriorating
humanitarian situation in Gaza while standing alongside the
people of Israel against the terrorist group
Hamas.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken to Israel,
Egypt and other international partners about opening the Rafah
crossing to allow urgent humanitarian aid into
Gaza.
All UK aid funding to the OPTs undergoes rigorous oversight, and
no funding goes to Hamas.
