Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the aid that he has distributed to the Gaza strip following the conflict in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1570/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The recent conflict in Gaza has exacerbated the already difficult humanitarian situation on the ground and increased the vulnerabilities of many families. Prior to the recent hostilities, Gaza was experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis due to the economic blockade and the effective isolation of the territory from the outside world. As a result, people in Gaza face high unemployment, and their situation in terms of food security, health and water/sanitation remains extremely difficult. It is estimated that around 80 per cent of Gaza households are dependent on food aid and more than 300,000 refugees in Gaza live below the abject poverty line and are unable to meet their basic food needs.

Ireland has responded to the current crisis by providing additional funding of €2.14 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to support their Gaza Emergency Appeal. UNRWA, the UN agency charged with responsibility for the welfare of all Palestinian refugees, helps to provide basic education, health, relief and social services for some 5 million registered Palestinian refugees. The importance of the Gaza Appeal, particularly in providing food aid for vulnerable refugee families was highlighted by UNRWA’s Commissioner General during his visit to Ireland last October.

This funding support is in addition to Irish Aid’s broader programme of assistance to the Palestinian people and brings our total funding support in 2012 to €11.47 million. This includes support to UNRWA’s general fund, the Palestinian Authority and civil society organisations.

Ireland's response underlies our continuing commitment to meeting the emergency needs of the Palestinian people as we have done for many years.