Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Tunnicliffe (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2009.

Gaza

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the consequences of the partial blockade of Gaza for the mental health of the population.

Answer: According to the World Health Organisation, stress caused by the recent conflict is a key factor in a wide range of mental health and psychosocial problems. Children and adolescents are particularly at risk. Of the total affected population, approximately 25,000 to 50,000 people will need some form of psychological intervention to address long-term effects of the conflict. The Department for International Development (DfID) does not provide funding to the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP). However, DfID has provided £409,000 to Mercy Corps for nine family drop-in centres to provide activities to improve the emotional well-being of children, and support to parents to deal with their children's problems. Other DfID-funded projects also have a psychosocial element: the Welfare Association gives support to the disabled, Islamic Relief are working with primary school children and their parents, and Save the Children are providing psychosocial activities in eight play areas. Organisations working in the mental health sector, including the ones that DfID fund, collaborate with GCMPH in their work.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 2385; 709 c270WA
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Armed conflict Development aid Mental health services Mental health Israel Palestine Middle East Gaza
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk