UK Announces IDR 339.5 Billion Humanitarian Aid Package For Gaza

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The British government on Tuesday, January 28, announced a humanitarian aid package worth 17 million ($21 million or around Rp339.5 billion) to support aid efforts in Gaza, as the latest ceasefire has allowed aid operations to expand, according to an official statement on the day.

The funds will ensure thousands of Palestinian civilians get emergency health services, food, and shelter, as well as support critical infrastructure projects in occupied Palestinian territories.

As part of the package, 2 million (approximately IDR 40.4 billion) will be allocated to the World Bank to help restore and rebuild important infrastructure in the water and energy sectors in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza.

Britain's Minister of Development, Anneliese Dodds, stressed that Britain is taking advantage of the ceasefire's momentum to increase aid deliveries and encourage the release of all hostages while working towards the creation of a viable Palestinian state.

"The scale of suffering in Gaza cannot be exaggerated, and the United Nations and its institutions, including UNRWA, must be allowed by Israel to carry out their important work," Dodds said, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 29.

"This announcement is part of Britain's investment in a ceasefire agreement, by increasing aid operations and helping people most in need to access health services, water, food and shelter," Dodds continued.

"We must take advantage of this opportunity to send a wave of humanitarian aid to Gaza, free all hostages, and pave the way for a viable Palestinian state," he added.

Britain has provided funding of 41 million (US $ 51 million or around Rp. 828.2 billion) to UNRWA this budget year to support its operations in the fields of health, education and social services for Palestinian refugees.

David Wightwick, CEO of UK-Med, described the crisis in Gaza as one of the worst humanitarian disasters he has seen in more than two decades of working in the humanitarian field.

That's why funding from the UK Government is so important in supporting UK-Med to provide life-saving care to more than 300,000 patients in Gaza during 2024, Wightwick said.

"I would like to thank our team of 400 people on the ground for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless work in dealing with the health impacts of this devastating conflict," he added.