Government announces $5m. more humanitarian support for war-ravaged Middle East – but will the aid get through to Gaza?
The first statement posted on the government’s official website for more than a week – announcing a further $5 million in humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel – was released in the names of Chris Hipkins and Grant Robertson.
The government called for hostilities to be stopped to allow the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid and support to those in need,and action from all parties to protect civilians and allow access for humanitarian aid.
The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages was demanded, too.
Hipkins had released previous statements about Gaza as Caretaker Prime Minister. This was Robertson’s first as Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages was demanded, too.
Hipkins had released previous statements about Gaza as Caretaker Prime Minister. This was Robertson’s first as Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Latest from the Beehive
18 NOVEMBER 2023
The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million.
The contribution was determined after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition.
The official statement explains that New Zealand’s latest humanitarian funding includes a further $2.5 million contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross’ (ICRC) response in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.
ICRC’s response has so far included the deployment of a war surgery team and weapons contamination specialist to Gaza; the provision of urgently needed medical and water purification supplies; and efforts to facilitate the release of remaining hostages, monitor conditions of detention and re-connect families with missing relatives.
New Zealand will also increase its support to the World Food Programme (WFP), with a further $2.5 million contribution to its response. The WFP’s work in Gaza and the West Bank has included emergency food and cash assistance to over 764,000 affected people.
Whether the money earmarked to provide urgent help in Gaza is open to question.
Newshub reported today:
UN aid deliveries to Gaza were suspended on Friday due to shortages of fuel and communications shut down, deepening the misery of thousands of hungry and homeless Palestinians as Israeli troops battled Hamas militants in the enclave.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said civilians faced the “immediate possibility of starvation” due to the lack of food supplies.
International officials have said a humanitarian crisis for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza is entering a new, more dire phase as the war enters its seventh week.
As Newshub reminded us, Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas militant group that controls Gaza, since its fighters killed 1200 people and dragged away 240 hostages on a deadly rampage on October 7.
Since then, Israel has bombed much of Gaza to rubble, ordered the depopulation of the entire northern half of the enclave and made around two-thirds of Gazans homeless.
Gaza authorities have said more than 12,000 people are confirmed dead, 5000 of them children, with many others trapped under rubble.
In the statement posted on the government’s website today, Chris Hipkins says:
“New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the grave humanitarian situation as a result of the conflict. New Zealand has repeatedly called for all parties involved in the conflict to act in accordance with international law.
“We strongly support the United Nations Security Council resolution passed on Thursday calling for full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners, and to facilitate the provision of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip.
“Hostilities must stop to allow the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid and support to get to those in need. All parties must act to protect civilians and to allow access for humanitarian aid.
“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. International humanitarian law prioritises the protection of civilians, even in war, and the UNSC has expressed its particular concern for the harm that is being inflicted on children in this conflict.”
In his contribution to the statement, Grant Robertson said:
“Our funding will continue to go to international humanitarian partners that are reaching those in need. With a severe shortage of essential items, including food and medical supplies, the WFP and ICRC’s provision of lifesaving humanitarian assistance is critical.
“Both organisations will continue to expand their operations as conditions allow. They act with full independence and neutrality.
“New Zealand also recognises the bravery of humanitarians, including healthcare workers, working tirelessly in extraordinarily difficult circumstances and call for their protection.”
New Zealand was deeply concerned and saddened that humanitarian workers had died in the line of duty, Grant Robertson said.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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