JERSEY Overseas Aid has pledged £200,000 to meet the “most urgent needs” of civilians trapped in Gaza.
Over 3,500 Palestinians have been killed and one million displaced since violence erupted between Hamas and Israel.
Israel’s retaliatory strikes follow deadly attacks where over 1,300 Israelis were killed by Hamas terrorists and a further 199 taken hostage.
JOA said access to water, electricity, fuel and medical supplies in Gaza were “critically low” as humanitarian access continues to be negotiated.
International Development Minister Carolyn Labey said: “It is a harrowing situation, and my thoughts are with those caught up in the violence and for the families of the innocent civilians who have died on both sides of the conflict.”
The financial support, which will go towards the UN’s Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs and their occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund, will be used to meet the “most urgent needs of 1.26 million people in Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,” JOA said.
In a statement, JOA said: “The OCHA Humanitarian Fund supports the implementation of a larger US$294 million inter-agency Flash Appeal that brings together humanitarian actors including UN agencies, international non-government organisations, Palestinian Red Crescent Society and national NGOs.”
Deputy Labey said: “Since the escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, JOA have been in regular contact with humanitarian partners and have been kept well-informed of the growing needs of the hundreds of thousands of civilians currently trapped in Gaza.
“Jersey’s allocation will contribute towards the rapid deployment of aid, particularly in lifesaving sectors that have been hit hardest including health, shelter, water sanitation and hygiene, food and protection.”
Religious leaders from the Island’s Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities and the Chief Minister this week issued a joint statement saying they “continue to remember all those who suffer in the current conflict” in the Middle East.
Plea for humanity event
Islanders are due to gather in Broad Street today for what organisers described as a “plea for humanity”, calling for a peaceful end to the conflict.
The event, taking place at 12pm, is expected to involve speeches by a Palestinian journalist from Gaza and statements from Israeli and Jewish peace activists.
Writing ahead of the event, organisers said: “In light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Palestine and Israel, Islanders will be coming together to make a resounding call to our government and the international community to call for an immediate ceasefire, to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to work towards an honest and lasting, just peace.
“The aim of the event is to mourn all the innocent lives that have been lost, to understand the context within which Palestinians and Israelis have been existing, and what routes might be taken to achieve an honest and just peace for all involved.”
