Yesterday the UN agency for assistance to Palestine refugees, UNRWA, broke off its humanitarian assistance in Gaza with immediate effect.
This means that, for the time being, UNRWA will not be distributing food aid to some 600 000 Palestinian refugees. This risks having significant humanitarian consequences and seriously worsening the living conditions of already extremely vulnerable Palestinian refugees.
”It is unacceptable that the UN is now being forced to end its food deliveries. If this persists there is a risk of starvation. Israel’s legitimate concern for its security situation is no justification for preventing the UN from providing humanitarian assistance,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation Carin Jämtin.
The reason for UNRWA’s drastic decision is that the Israeli authorities have increased the already very complicated and time-consuming regulations for staff and materials entering and leaving the Gaza Strip. UNRWA now finds the situation unsustainable.
“Sweden therefore urges Israel to immediately lift the restrictions that are preventing the UN from distributing food aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza,” says Carin Jämtin.
”Today Sweden has also reiterated the demands that the EU is making on Israel. These demands include the need for clear guidelines, extended opening hours at border crossings and access for vehicles of international organisations, as well as permission to also remove humanitarian materials, such as food containers, that have been transported into Gaza. I am also going to raise the matter with my EU colleagues at the next development ministers meeting,” concludes Carin Jämtin.
UNRWA is the UN agency for assistance to Palestinian refugees. In 2003 Sweden contributed almost SEK 300 million in support of UNRWA’s activities.
source: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2918/a/16843 29sep04
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