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Press Release

28 January 2009

DFID pledges £1.5m to help charities provide essential water and shelter in Gaza

DFID has allocated around £1.5m to help charities Oxfam and Mercy Corps to provide clean drinking water, sanitation and emergency shelter for the people of Gaza, Secretary of State Douglas Alexander announced today.

This money is part of DFID’s commitment to support NGOs working on the ground. Oxfam will receive £600,000 to provide immediate water and sanitation and Mercy Corps £915,000 to provide shelter and emotional support to children and young people traumatised by the conflict.

Through this funding, Oxfam will reach at least 50,000 people and will specifically target 2,100 families with health and hygiene-related relief items. These include family emergency hygiene kits, baby hygiene kits and cleaning kits.

Since the start of the conflict, Mercy Corps have reported an increase in fear and anxiety amongst children in Gaza. The funding announced today will help them work with the local community to provide psychological support to the people affected by the conflict.

During the conflict the UN estimated that around 100,000 people were displaced and 20,000 homes partially destroyed. Mercy Corps will also provide safe accommodation and counselling for over 4,000 children in the region.

Douglas Alexander said:

"The situation in Gaza remains severe with shortages of food, water and shelter. This support will ensure men, women and children are given much needed support at this desperate time. In particular, I am pleased that we will be offering help to children who will have been traumatised by recent events.

"Today’s funding will enable charities to mobilise their teams quickly and respond to urgent needs.

"The UK remains committed to supporting the people of Gaza and I call once again for Israel to allow aid agencies to get on with the job of helping people on the ground."

DFID has pledged nearly £27m to help meet the immediate needs for those affected in the Gaza conflict.

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