DENMARK DONATES DKK 20 MILLION TO THE VICTIMS OF THE HOSTILITIES IN GAZA

Denmark is giving DKK 20 million to the victims of the hostilities in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in the region has worsened greatly as a result of the past 10 days of hostilities and there is an urgent need for aid.

The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Ms. Ulla Tørnæs, states:

“The dramatic escalation of the conflict in Gaza has seriously aggravated the already fragile humanitarian situation in the region. I have therefore decided that Denmark is to provide assistance amounting to DKK 20 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This contribution will help to cover the most urgent needs for food, shelter and financial help in the coming months.

“It is deeply worrying that the fighting in Gaza is affecting civilians to such a large extent when they have nowhere else to go. There are many women and children among the dead and wounded. That is totally unacceptable.

“The fighting has led to a serious lack of food, water, medicine and other health services and has delayed the distribution of emergency aid as well as making it more difficult. It is also difficult and dangerous for emergency aid workers to move around the region. It is therefore crucial that Israel helps to guarantee humanitarian access for the emergency aid.”

The UNRWA has been given a special mandate by the UN General Assembly to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees. The organisation was established in 1948 and its basic services are education, health and social services. In 2008 Denmark donated DKK 90 million to UNRWA, making it the organisation’s ninth largest donor. Denmark also provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees via the Danish Red Cross and DanChurchAid.

Since 1994 Denmark has provided substantial aid to Gaza and the West Bank with a view to establishing the foundations for a future Palestinian state. Each year Denmark contributes a total of some DKK 200 million in humanitarian and development aid to Gaza and the West Bank.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen
January 5, 2009

Fonte: www.um.dk/en