Donor conference on the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories
"I am deeply concerned about the way in which the situation in Gaza has deteriorated during the summer. The aim of today's conference is to increase humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Carin Jämtin.
The situation in the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, is worsening day by day. There are shortages of electricity, fuel, fresh water and other essential supplies. There is an urgent need to build up medical services, which have partly collapsed.
"Humanitarian aid must reach those who are suffering and the violence must come to an immediate end. The serious humanitarian situation has been caused by the current conflict and the occupation. In addition, the situation is being made worse by the fact that humanitarian actors are not being allowed adequate access to the affected areas in Gaza and on the West Bank," says the Minister for International Development Cooperation.
The Stockholm International Donor Conference on the Humanitarian Situation in the Palestinian Territories aims to increase humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories. The conference, which is being organised together with Norway and Spain, will also deal with the issues of access for relief organisations and the need to quickly repair the damage in war-torn Gaza.
Minister for International Development Cooperation Carin Jämtin warmly welcomes accredited media representatives to a meeting in the Conference Media Centre, Grand Hôtel, at 13.00.
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In May, the UN made a revised emergency appeal for the Palestinian territories in which it requested USD 384 million. To date, only USD 162 million has been paid out. Sweden has contributed SEK 80 million to the appeal. In addition, Sweden is providing humanitarian aid via other organisations and actors in the region. Humanitarian aid from Sweden during 2006 will amount to SEK 360 million, which makes Sweden the fourth largest humanitarian donor to the Palestinians.
Contact
John Zanchi
Press Secretary to Carin Jämtin
work +46 8 405 59 39
cell +46 70 2602664
email to John Zanchi
Country: Sweden
Subject: Humanitarian relief, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 31/08/2006