The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
2024.02.27.
13.3 Deputy M.B. Andrews of the Minister for International Development regarding funding for supporting people displaced by the conflict in Gaza (OQ.31/2024)
Will the Minister confirm what funding, if any, has been provided to support displaced persons from the ongoing conflict in Gaza?
Deputy C.F. Labey of Grouville and St. Martin (The Minister for International
Development):
Since the escalation of hostilities on 7th October 2023, Jersey Overseas Aid have allocated a total of £280,000 to directly address the humanitarian needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the O.P.T. On 20th October 2023 £200,000 was allocated to United Nations’ for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, O.C.H.A., which is a pooled funding scheme. Given that 85 per cent of the Gazan population have been displaced, it is safe to say the majority of our funding was used to meet their needs. The other £80,000 was allocated in December 2023 to international health partners, Europe’s leading organisation sourcing donated medicines for humanitarian responses worldwide. However, since 2009, Jersey has allocated £1.7 million to humanitarian interventions in O.P.T.
13.3.1 Deputy M.B. Andrews :
Of course, there are concerns with Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation. When funds are being granted to support those in need, can the Minister reaffirm that all of the funds are going towards people who are displaced and no funds have been indirectly directed to Hamas as a terrorist organisation?
Deputy C.F. Labey :
I cannot stand here and say 100 per cent no aid has got through to Hamas. As the Deputy may know, U.N.R.W.A. (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) is under investigation at the moment. However, with those allegations aid should not be stopped. In fact we should be increasing aid because we have famine on the shores of the Mediterranean in 2024.