DFID announces new support for vulnerable groups in Gaza
9 February 2009
The UK is providing a further £1.8m for life-saving support to vulnerable groups including children and old people living in Gaza, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today.
The money is part of the Government’s £27m humanitarian support package and will help four aid agencies assist in meeting the urgent needs of the men, women and children who have been injured, made homeless or otherwise affected by the recent fighting.
The agencies will provide medical aid, food and water, as well as help to rebuild the region. This will include reconstruction of water supplies and destroyed buildings, counselling for people suffering from trauma and help for vulnerable groups such as the disabled and elderly.
The four organisations are:
- Islamic Relief (£661,000). The money will be used to repair 200 houses and rebuild 20 schools, and to provide 500 families with six months worth of basic necessary non-food items such as medicine, toilet roll and toothpaste. It will also be used for working within communities to provide counselling for those affected by the recent fighting, including support sessions for 1,000 people.
- Welfare Association (£300,000) for health work to expand its community-based work for disabled people and their families. It will send doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers to help up to 10,000 people with new and existing disabilities.
- Action Against Hunger (£400,000) for water, sanitation and hygiene work. Because of damage to water pipes and wells, more than 250,000 people are believed currently to be without a water supply. Action Against Hunger will look to replace damaged pipes, valves and manholes and ensure individual households are reconnected, as well as raising awareness of good hygiene practices and water saving techniques.
- Handicap International (£422,000) will provide an emergency medical response for 21,000 extremely vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with injuries or disabilities. It will help with physical rehabilitation and care for those injured in the conflict, as well as providing wheelchairs and other support. It will also look to ensure that existing rehabilitation, education and prosthetic services continue for those already living with disability.
Douglas Alexander said:
“This aid will provide a wide-range of much-needed help for the people of Gaza both now and in the weeks to come. As well as helping those in need of immediate support, it will support particularly vulnerable groups, including children, the disabled, and the elderly.
“The lack of access for aid workers and their convoys continues to be a major problem and must improve if we are to meet the needs of people suffering as a result of the recent fighting. We are in direct contact with the Israeli Government about this and working alongside the UN and other donors to find a solution all parties can agree to. Once again, I urge all parties to respect the legitimate and independent work of the aid agencies and allow them to help those innocent people who have been devastated by this crisis.”
The allocation of nearly £1.8m is part of the UK’s £27m commitment to support aid agencies working on the ground in Gaza. £14m of this fund has now been allocated.
