Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Tuesday, 3 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 March 2015. It was answered by Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 17 March 2015 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Palestinians

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have fulfilled their pledge of £20 million to kick-start Gaza's economy made at the reconstruction conference in Cairo on 12 October 2014; how much of the total amount pledged at that conference has been paid; and what action they are taking to encourage other donor countries who have not yet done so to fulfil their pledges.

Answer: The UK has disbursed £5 million of our £20 million pledge and we are working hard to disburse the remaining funds over the course of the coming financial year. Gaza’s economy will only recover, however, if reconstruction efforts form part of a process of meaningful political change that will address the underlying causes of the conflict and transform the situation in Gaza. The need for political progress from all parties has never been more apparent. In the meantime, we are engaging with the World Bank’s new mechanism to track donor pledges committed at the Cairo conference and we are urging that all major International donors make good on their pledges.

Secondary information