Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Independent Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 16 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 March 2015. It was answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 March 2015 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Middle East

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have has made to the government of Israel concerning deaths and injuries in Gaza since August 2014 from explosive remnants of war (ERW); and what plans the international community has to deal with ERW.

Answer: We are aware of the UN Mine Action Service’s reporting that since the ceasefire on 26 August 2014, 46 people have been reported injured and 10 killed as a consequence of explosive remnants of war (ERW). The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is a crucial service provider to the Gazan population. More than 1,000 UNRWA teachers across the Gaza Strip have been trained to educate students about the dangers of ERW. While we have not raised this issue with the Israeli authorities, it is important to note that UK support is helping UNRWA to conduct its work on ERW. The UK is the third biggest donor to UNRWA’s General Fund, contributing £107 million between 2011 and 2015.

Secondary information