Middle East: Armed Conflict
13th March 2008
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) the UK and (b) other countries through the UN have organised medical aid to assist the casualties in the recent Gaza-Israel conflict; and if he will make a statement. [193077]
Meg Munn: We are deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and Southern Israel. In the Gaza strip, emergency medical assistance is mainly provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The Government support the Ministry of Health through the European Commission's funding mechanism known as PEGASE (Palestine European De Gestion Et D'aide Socio-Economique). The Department for International Development has provided £41.6 million to Palestinians in 2007-08 with £18.45 million going through the PEGASE and the Temporary International Mechanism this financial year. In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross, World Health Organisation and the UN Relief and Works Agency regularly import medicines into the Gaza strip.
Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the parties concerned to bring about a Gaza-Israel ceasefire; and if he will make a statement. [193079]
Meg Munn: My hon. Friend the Minister for the Middle East, Dr. Howells, issued statements on 27 February and 28 February about the situation in Gaza and southern Israel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also issued two statements on 2 March and 6 March condemning the recent violence in Gaza and southern Israel.
