MELBOURNE, 16 January 2024 : Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced it is doubling its aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to $21.5 million. She is on a visit to the Middle East and announced the aid package after talks in Jordan, while expressing grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“Australia continues to call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations, and further humanitarian pauses to enable the scaled-up delivery of aid, safe passage for civilians and the release of hostages.”
“We are working with our international partners to ensure desperately needed food and other humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most,” she said.
A statement posted today on her website says, ” This funding will be directed to conflict affected populations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to address the ongoing regional refugee crisis, with a focus on women and children.
As part of this package, Australia will provide –
- $4 million to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to continue delivering urgent and emergency services and supplies.
- $6 million through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), to provide urgent lifesaving assistance including food, shelter and emergency health care.
- $11.5 million to refugee programs in Lebanon and Jordan, at this time of increasing regional instability.
This package reinforces Australia’s longstanding commitment to the region and builds on Australia’s total humanitarian commitment since the Hamas terror attacks on 7 October to more than $46 million.”
Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said, “International humanitarian law must be adhered to and there must be safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected populations.”
“Australia’s additional support prioritises the immediate needs of women and children, as well as distributing essential supplies and services.”
The Australian Foreign Minister is travelling to Jordan, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the United Arab Emirates, to support international diplomatic efforts towards a durable peace in the Middle East.
