Gaza: Humanitarian Situation

25 Feb

Question

The debate centred around the humanitarian crisis situation in Gaza, with particular focus on the steps being taken by the UK government to offer aid and support sustainable peace efforts.

Key Contributions and Developments:

Humanitarian Aid Increase: Anneliese Dodds highlighted the UK’s commitment of £17 million aimed at healthcare, food, shelter, and infrastructure support across the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). This aid effort forms part of a strategy to maintain the fragile ceasefire and address immediate humanitarian needs.
Further Strategic Support: Dodds further clarified that £2 million of the new funding package had been specifically allocated to critical water and energy infrastructure projects essential for Gaza’s immediate recovery efforts.
Concerns and Criticisms: John Lamont raised concerns about the UK's continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), requesting reconsideration of support based on critical feedback from Israeli politicians. Dodds addressed this by emphasizing the reform initiatives undertaken by UNRWA to tackle these issues.

£17 million

Financial aid committed for healthcare, food, and infrastructure for OPT on January 28.

Additional Contextual Elements:

The debate emphasized the importance of working with international partners, including the US, Israel, and regional stakeholders, to fortify the ceasefire and foster conditions for lasting peace.

Outcome: The session reinforced the UK government’s commitment towards humanitarian aid in Gaza, reflecting consensus on the need for sustained international cooperation to ensure peace. The redistribution of funds towards urgent infrastructure needs showcased a targeted response to acute conditions on the ground.

£2 million

Specific allocation for critical water and energy infrastructure projects in Gaza.

Key Statistics with Context:

£17 million commitment announced on January 28 for immediate humanitarian needs in the OPT.
Designation of £2 million for water and energy infrastructure projects to support pressing recovery needs.

Outcome

Strengthened UK commitment towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, alongside affirmations of ongoing contributions and reassurances of strategic international cooperation for sustainable peace efforts.

Key Contributions

Andrew PakesN/A

Labour

Inquired about steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Anneliese DoddsN/A

N/A

Outlined the UK’s aid commitment of £17 million for the OPT.

John LamontN/A

Conservative

Criticized the UK’s continued support for UNRWA based on Israeli political perspective.

Anneliese DoddsN/A

N/A

Addressed concerns about UNRWA and outlined its reform agenda.

Original Transcript

Andrew Pakes

Peterborough

Lab

Question

UIN: 902813

12. What steps he is taking to help tackle the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Minister for Development

Anneliese Dodds

12:10

On 28 January we announced a further £17 million for healthcare, food and shelter, and to support vital infrastructure across the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This was an investment in the ceasefire, which must hold.

Andrew Pakes

12:10

It is utterly heartbreaking to see the desecration of hostages’ bodies, and to see men, women and children returning to Gaza to try to rebuild their lives among the rubble.

I welcome the Government’s efforts on humanitarian aid during this fragile ceasefire, which is becoming more fragile as tanks roll into the west bank. What more can we do to ensure that the ceasefire is implemented in full, and to protect human rights and communities in the west bank?

John Lamont

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Con

I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I visited Israel recently as part of a delegation from this place, and met politicians from across the political spectrum.

Some support the Israeli Government’s current approach, while others do not, but what unites them is their criticism of the UK Government’s continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Will the Government please reconsider that support?

Anneliese Dodds

I too have had such discussions, both in Tel Aviv and elsewhere. I recognise that there was particular concern about the events that led to the production of the Colonna report.

As was mentioned earlier, there were disturbing allegations about the involvement of UNRWA staff, and there is also concern about reports that Emily Damari may have been placed within an UNRWA camp. We have taken this up with UNRWA, and have supported its reform agenda.

It has delivered change, and it is the only organisation that can deliver the humanitarian support that is so desperately needed by millions of Palestinians.

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