In an effort to support the distribution of humanitarian aid and refugee programs, the Australian Government will provide an additional $21.5 million in humanitarian assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The funding will be split between several initiatives, with $4 million going to deliver urgent emergency supplies and services through the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and a further $6 million through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), to provide urgent lifesaving assistance including food, shelter and emergency health care.
The final $11.5 million will go to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan, as displaced peoples are increasingly forced to flee violence, starvation and deprivation.
Call for unimpeded humanitarian access
“Australia is gravely concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong said.
“Australia continues to call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations, and further humanitarian pauses to enable the scaled-up delivery of aid, safe passage for civilians and the release of hostages.”
“We are working with our international partners to ensure desperately needed food and other humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most.”
Oxfam International has revealed that the death toll of the conflict in Gaza has outstripped any other major conflict in the last 24 years, averaging 250 civilian deaths per day.
“International humanitarian law must be adhered to and there must be safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations,” Minister for International Development and The Pacific Pat Conroy said.
“Australia’s additional support prioritises the immediate needs of women and children, as well as distributing essential supplies and services.”