Swift response to the plight of people in Gaza
7/12/12
Tánaiste visits UNRWA school in Gaza. UN Photo
In the aftermath of the latest crisis in Gaza in November, Irish Aid responded quickly and contributed €140,000 to help look after those affected by the conflict. The funds will help the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), provide food and other vital supplies to the most vulnerable people in Gaza. Ireland is a strong supporter of UNRWA’s work to meet the needs of Palestinian refugees and this recent contribution brings our support to nearly €4.5 million in 2012.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza, already bleak, was compounded by the bombardment of the area during the latest outbreak of violence between Hamas and Israel.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza, already bleak, was compounded by the bombardment of the area during the latest outbreak of violence between Hamas and Israel.
UNWRA, which has extensive operations in Gaza where 1.2 million refugees live, reported that its health services were struggling to cope with the number of injured men, women and children seeking treatment in their clinics.
The violence also had a significant impact on the psychological state of people living in Gaza with high levels of trauma, especially amongst children.
This recent escalation of violence has again underlined the urgent need for a comprehensive peace deal in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
70 Palestinian civilians, including 23 children and 12 women, were killed. Three Israelis were killed and communities in southern Israel also suffered from sustained rocket fire from militant groups in Gaza.