Gaza Humanitarian Crisis – One Year On
A man looks for things worth salvaging from
his demolished home in Gaza.
Photo credit: UNWRA
Posted 22 DECEMBER 2009 on DFID
Gaza 12 months on: responding to need, pressing for action
The most recent conflict in Gaza ended on 18 January 2009. It accelerated the decline of already serious humanitarian conditions.
The international community responded swiftly. The UK was at the forefront of this response. We pledged nearly £47 million pounds to support immediate humanitarian needs, early recovery and reconstruction activities.
Responding to the crisis has been complicated and difficult for the many aid agencies, UN organisations and governments involved.
Nearly twelve months on from the launch of hostilities and with winter now setting in, public attention is turning back to Gaza. This is important. The crisis of human dignity which we see today in Gaza remains unacceptable, unsustainable and in the long-term interests of nobody.
We accept that much remains to be done. However, the UK response continues to make a real difference to ordinary Gazans.
For an insider’s account of what UK support has delivered and what more needs to be done, have a look at these postcards from the field:
