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Answering member
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Lord Tunnicliffe
Type
House
Session
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Member
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Answering member
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Tunnicliffe, Lord (30)
Legislative stage
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Publisher
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have they had with the Government of Israel regarding the supply of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have they had with the Government of Israel regarding the supply of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 June 2009
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is of serious concern. The UK Government have consistently lobbied for unrestricted access for food and other humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for International Development, and officials from both the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have raised the need to reduce the constraints on goods entering Gaza with the Israeli Government.
More recently, the Foreign Secretary raised the issue of access with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, during a meeting on 6 May; with the UN Security Council in his speech on 11 May; and with Foreign Minister Lieberman on 13 May during his visit to the UK.
Subjects
Access; Humanitarian aid; Israel; Palestine; Gaza
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
3792; 711 c74WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise the issue of the blockade of Gaza with the Israeli Foreign Minister; and whether they will they request Israel to allow all necessary humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise the issue of the blockade of Gaza with the Israeli Foreign Minister; and whether they will they request Israel to allow all necessary humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 June 2009
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is of serious concern. The UK Government have consistently lobbied for unrestricted access for food and other humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for International Development, and officials from both the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have raised the need to reduce the constraints on goods entering Gaza with the Israeli Government.
More recently, the Foreign Secretary raised the issue of access with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, during a meeting on 6 May; with the UN Security Council in his speech on 11 May; and with Foreign Minister Lieberman on 13 May during his visit to the UK.
Subjects
Access; Humanitarian aid; Israel; Palestine; Gaza
Date
2 June 2009
Reference
3793; 711 c74WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by Lord Tunnicliffe on 17 March (WS 59), what conditions are attached to the grant of £50 million for reconstruction in Gaza; what conditions are attached to planned development and aid expenditure in 2009-10 in the occupied West Bank; and...
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by Lord Tunnicliffe on 17 March (WS 59), what conditions are attached to the grant of £50 million for reconstruction in Gaza; what conditions are attached to planned development and aid expenditure in 2009-10 in the occupied West Bank; and...
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 April 2009
There are no conditions attached to our £50 million pledge for humanitarian assistance and early recovery in Gaza. The UK believes that all vulnerable people in need retain the right to humanitarian assistance, whatever their political affiliation. Our aid is provided through organisations that have experience of operating in Gaza, and have the expertise and resources to provide immediate help to people in desperate need. We remain in contact with all our partners to make sure that UK government funding is being used appropriately and relief items are getting to those who need them. These criteria will be used for working with future partners.
With regards to our planned expenditure in the West Bank, at the Paris pledging conference in December 2007 the UK committed up to £243 million over three years to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Provision of this funding is linked to tangible progress in peace negotiations, including progress on reform of the Palestinian Authority, and the easing of movement and access restrictions by the Israeli Government.
Subjects
Development aid; Humanitarian aid; Israel; Palestine; West Bank; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
23 April 2009
Reference
709 c410-1WA; 2366
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with the government of Egypt the opening of the Rafah crossing, so as to allow access to Gaza for the transport of materials for reconstruction.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with the government of Egypt the opening of the Rafah crossing, so as to allow access to Gaza for the transport of materials for reconstruction.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 April 2009
Rafah has limited capacity and the present agreement between the Egyptian authorities and the authorities in Gaza is for people only to cross into and out of Gaza. Due to this the UK Government have not raised the issue of the transport of materials for reconstruction through the Rafah crossing with the Egyptian Government. The UK Government continue to press the Israeli Government for improved access and for a relaxation of restrictions on the type of goods that are allowed across the border from Israel into Gaza.
Subjects
Access; Borders; Reconstruction; Egypt; Gaza
Date
2 April 2009
Reference
2042; 709 c269WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they and the quartet will take to ensure that sufficient food supplies reach Gaza.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they and the quartet will take to ensure that sufficient food supplies reach Gaza.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 April 2009
The UK Government and the quartet have been consistently lobbying for unrestricted access for food and other humanitarian supplies into Gaza. The Israeli Government announced on 22 March that they will lift restrictions and allow all food products into Gaza.
Subjects
Access; Food supply; Israel; Palestine; Gaza
Date
2 April 2009
Reference
2308; 709 c270WA
House
House of Lords
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.
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.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 April 2009
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.
Subjects
Armed conflict; Development aid; Mental health services; Mental health; Israel; Palestine; Middle East; Gaza
Date
2 April 2009
Reference
2385; 709 c270WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have contributed to the costs of the Gaza community mental health programme; and, if so, how much.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have contributed to the costs of the Gaza community mental health programme; and, if so, how much.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
2 April 2009
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.
Subjects
Armed conflict; Development aid; Mental health services; Mental health; Israel; Palestine; Middle East; Gaza
Date
2 April 2009
Reference
2389; 709 c270WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Government of Israel to lift the embargo on construction materials and other goods entering Gaza to enable the rebuilding of houses and services.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Government of Israel to lift the embargo on construction materials and other goods entering Gaza to enable the rebuilding of houses and services.
Asked by
Earl of Sandwich
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 March 2009
Access for much-needed materials will be critical for early recovery and reconstruction to take place in Gaza. Following the Secretary of State's visit to Gaza on 1 March, he met Isaac Herzog, the Israeli Minister responsible for co-ordinating aid to Gaza, and pressed for improved access and a relaxation of restrictions on the type of goods that are allowed across the border.
The Foreign Secretary has also pressed Isaac Herzog on the need for improved access, and the Prime Minister recently wrote to Prime Minister Olmert on this issue. In the last month officials from both the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have had meetings with the Israeli Government on the need for greater access.
Subjects
Access; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
26 March 2009
Reference
2200; 709 c161WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how much long-term reconstruction aid will be required for Gaza; and what plans they have to help rebuild infrastructure in Gaza.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how much long-term reconstruction aid will be required for Gaza; and what plans they have to help rebuild infrastructure in Gaza.
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 March 2009
The Palestinian national early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza 2009-10 (formerly known as the GERRP) was presented at the international conference in support of the Palestinian economy for the reconstruction of Gaza (2 March 2009, Sharm el-Sheikh). The plan lays out what needs to be done over the next two years to replace damaged and destroyed public infrastructure, rebuild homes and help the economy recover. The UK Government and other donors support the plan and believe it offers a sound blueprint for recovery in Gaza. It is available on the OCHA website at www.ochaopt.org/cluster/clusters.php?domain=3.
On 1 March 2009, the Department for International Development (DfID) pledged £30 million for recovery in Gaza. This will help rebuild damaged and destroyed homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza, and help ensure delivery of basic services. DfID has also allocated £443,000 to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to clear unexploded ordnance from sites across Gaza.
Recovery is only the first stage of rebuilding Gaza. For longer-term reconstruction, we expect the World Bank, EC and UN to take the lead on a full needs assessment. We will assess support to reconstruction at that stage.
Subjects
Development aid; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
19 March 2009
Reference
1087; 709 c74-5WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there was broad support at the Sharm el-Sheikh conference for the immediate, unconditional and sustained re-opening of crossings so that Gaza can be rebuilt. The United Nations promoted its new draft framework for humanitarian access. We hope that this will be endorsed at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in April, which Israel will attend. The UK Government will continue to press Israel at the highest levels to increase access.
My Lords, there was broad support at the Sharm el-Sheikh conference for the immediate, unconditional and sustained re-opening of crossings so that Gaza can be rebuilt. The United Nations promoted its new draft framework for humanitarian access. We hope that this will be endorsed at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in April, which Israel will attend. The UK Government will continue to press Israel at the highest levels to increase access.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to bring reconstruction aid into Gaza following the Sharm el-Sheikh conference.
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c732
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, having read through all of the briefings to prepare for this Question, the international community is being extraordinarily even-handed. It has, for instance, been forceful in getting across to Israel the importance of its duties in this situation. It has been even-handed in getting across the importance of stopping the smuggling; that is part of it. Tony Blair is doing the right job at the right time. The international community really does seem to be putting together a good, co-ordinated effort on this. It is now a matter of getting the Palestinians to work together, and of getting long-term peace in the region.
My Lords, having read through all of the briefings to prepare for this Question, the international community is being extraordinarily even-handed. It has, for instance, been forceful in getting across to Israel the importance of its duties in this situation. It has been even-handed in getting across the importance of stopping the smuggling; that is part of it. Tony Blair is doing the right job at the right time. The international community really does seem to be putting together a good, co-ordinated effort on this. It is now a matter of getting the Palestinians to work together, and of getting long-term peace in the region.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister not think it absolutely extraordinary that Tony Blair, who has been the quartet’s envoy to the Middle East for the past two years, had not even visited Gaza until this week? What does that say for the even-handedness of the international community concerning that area of the world?
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c734
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I believe that the last assurance possibly is beyond the British Government and certainly way beyond my pay grade. We in DfID are trying to ensure that there are methods of getting aid through. We are using the present agencies that are working in Gaza. They are getting some aid through. We recognise that those agencies have to treat with Hamas. As noble Lords know, we do not believe that it is proper at this time to treat with Hamas, but that does not stand in the way of aid getting through. We certainly agree with the general thrust of the noble Lord’s question that a long-term solution to peace in the area will need Arab and Palestinian reconciliation. The need for all countries to work together for a long-term solution is crucial. We praise very much Egypt’s role in the recent past and we are very pleased to see the emphasis that the Obama Administration are putting on that.
My Lords, I believe that the last assurance possibly is beyond the British Government and certainly way beyond my pay grade. We in DfID are trying to ensure that there are methods of getting aid through. We are using the present agencies that are working in Gaza. They are getting some aid through. We recognise that those agencies have to treat with Hamas. As noble Lords know, we do not believe that it is proper at this time to treat with Hamas, but that does not stand in the way of aid getting through. We certainly agree with the general thrust of the noble Lord’s question that a long-term solution to peace in the area will need Arab and Palestinian reconciliation. The need for all countries to work together for a long-term solution is crucial. We praise very much Egypt’s role in the recent past and we are very pleased to see the emphasis that the Obama Administration are putting on that.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Wright of Richmond
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, will the Minister explain how international aid will get into Gaza, not only so long as the Israelis maintain their blockade, but, perhaps as importantly, so long as we and our partners in the quartet refuse to speak to the effective authority in Gaza? What assurances have we received or sought from Mr Netanyahu that his continuing threat to destroy Hamas will not reduce any rebuilding done in Gaza to rubble yet again?
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c733
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord is right that Egypt is concerned that aid gets to the right place. We are concerned. We believe, as a generality, that aid is getting to where it is needed. The agencies delivering that aid are giving us those assurances.
My Lords, the noble Lord is right that Egypt is concerned that aid gets to the right place. We are concerned. We believe, as a generality, that aid is getting to where it is needed. The agencies delivering that aid are giving us those assurances.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Turnberg
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, we hope that this aid gets through to those who desperately need it. Gaza has a border with Egypt. Presumably, the Egyptians have as many anxieties as Israel about the diversion of funds by Hamas for the purchase of arms, just as it has hijacked the funds going through the UN and UNRWA. What steps can we take to ensure that the aid will reach the needy Palestinians rather than Hamas?
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c733
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, it is being spent on an extremely wide selection of projects. This is not a money problem: the outcome of the Sharm conference, as the noble Baroness rightly says, was to bring our aid commitment up to £50 million in the short term and something above £250 million over the long term. However, what came out of Sharm was a pledge of £4 billion of new money, so this is not a problem of money—although it might be, in the longer term—but of access. It is a problem of Palestinian politics, in which we and the international community are trying to help, and of achieving peace in the region so that proper, long-term reconstruction can start.
My Lords, it is being spent on an extremely wide selection of projects. This is not a money problem: the outcome of the Sharm conference, as the noble Baroness rightly says, was to bring our aid commitment up to £50 million in the short term and something above £250 million over the long term. However, what came out of Sharm was a pledge of £4 billion of new money, so this is not a problem of money—although it might be, in the longer term—but of access. It is a problem of Palestinian politics, in which we and the international community are trying to help, and of achieving peace in the region so that proper, long-term reconstruction can start.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Rawlings
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the DfID website informs us that as of 26 February nearly £16 million had been allocated out of the £27 million pledged to help aid in Gaza. Is the Minister aware that, on 1 March, Douglas Alexander announced an extra £20 million in funding for reconstruction? Can the Minister give us further details on exactly how this and the £10 million not yet allocated from the previous announcement will be spent?
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c733-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to bring reconstruction aid into Gaza following the Sharm el-Sheikh conference.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to bring reconstruction aid into Gaza following the Sharm el-Sheikh conference.
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
4 March 2009
Answered on
4 March 2009
My Lords, there was broad support at the Sharm el-Sheikh conference for the immediate, unconditional and sustained re-opening of crossings so that Gaza can be rebuilt. The United Nations promoted its new draft framework for humanitarian access. We hope that this will be endorsed at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in April, which Israel will attend. The UK Government will continue to press Israel at the highest levels to increase access.
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c732
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the nail has been hit on the head. The Israeli Government’s position is not a flat refusal, but there is no question that Israel can do most to help this situation by addressing the whole issue of access. Her Majesty’s Government take the access position extremely seriously. We have put particular effort into diplomacy, going back to 19 January when Mike Foster met Isaac Herzog, the Minister responsible for access. On 21 January, the Foreign Secretary had a private luncheon with the Israeli Foreign Minister to urge access and joined EU Foreign Ministers. On 4 February, the Prime Minister wrote to Prime Minister Olmert. On 16 February, the Foreign Secretary met Isaac Herzog again and the Secretary of State for International Development met him on 1 March. There is no question that the key issue in the short term is access. We are putting all our efforts into trying to break through the access deadlock.
My Lords, the nail has been hit on the head. The Israeli Government’s position is not a flat refusal, but there is no question that Israel can do most to help this situation by addressing the whole issue of access. Her Majesty’s Government take the access position extremely seriously. We have put particular effort into diplomacy, going back to 19 January when Mike Foster met Isaac Herzog, the Minister responsible for access. On 21 January, the Foreign Secretary had a private luncheon with the Israeli Foreign Minister to urge access and joined EU Foreign Ministers. On 4 February, the Prime Minister wrote to Prime Minister Olmert. On 16 February, the Foreign Secretary met Isaac Herzog again and the Secretary of State for International Development met him on 1 March. There is no question that the key issue in the short term is access. We are putting all our efforts into trying to break through the access deadlock.
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. but is he able to reassure this House? In view of the present Israeli Government’s flat refusal even to consider reopening the crossing points into Gaza, how on earth will rebuilding materials and equipment get in as soon as possible, bearing in mind the urgent humanitarian need?
Subjects
Access; International assistance; Israel; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza
Date
4 March 2009
Reference
708 c732-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they and the Middle East Quartet will seek to provide necessary supplies to Gaza by sea; and, if so, whether this will make use of the facilities offered by Cyprus since land-based deliveries have so far proved insufficient.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they and the Middle East Quartet will seek to provide necessary supplies to Gaza by sea; and, if so, whether this will make use of the facilities offered by Cyprus since land-based deliveries have so far proved insufficient.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
26 February 2009
The UK Government have investigated the use of sea routes as a way of providing aid to Gaza. Current information suggests that the most effective and sustainable way to ensure those in Gaza get much needed aid supplies is by a sustained relaxation of restrictions on humanitarian and other imports into Gaza via the land crossings in Egypt and Israel. Achieving that remains our focus. The Middle East quartet representative has not discussed the use of sea routes as a way of providing aid to Gaza.
Subjects
International assistance; Seas and oceans; Palestine; Gaza
Date
26 February 2009
Reference
1382; 708 c101-2WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the access granted to humanitarian agencies in Gaza.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the access granted to humanitarian agencies in Gaza.
Asked by
Baroness Northover
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 February 2009
The recent hostilities brought about almost complete closure of the crossings into Gaza and made it very dangerous for aid staff to operate, and for aid recipients to access aid at distribution centres. The ceasefire and IDF withdrawal has improved access to the Gaza Strip and security within it for humanitarian agencies, but still not nearly enough humanitarian supplies are getting in. Humanitarian personnel are also facing ongoing difficulties entering Gaza.
Formal reports from the UN will be key in outlining in detail the challenges it and other organisations face. The UK Government continue to raise concerns with the Government of Israel and other partners.
Subjects
Access; Humanitarian aid; Israel; Palestine; Gaza
Date
12 February 2009
Reference
707 c226-7WA; 1083
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to enable $93 million, currently held by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, to be spent on capital programmes and reconstruction in Gaza, as originally intended.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will take steps to enable $93 million, currently held by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, to be spent on capital programmes and reconstruction in Gaza, as originally intended.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 February 2009
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported prior to the recent conflict in Gaza that UNRWA infrastructure projects in Gaza valued at $93 million had been halted due to a lack of raw materials as a result of the closure of the border crossings.
Following the conflict the immediate priority for the UK Government has been to press for full and unhindered access for humanitarian personnel and supplies. These supplies include materials essential for the repair of humanitarian infrastructure, such as water and sanitation facilities. This issue has been raised repeatedly with the Israeli authorities at the highest levels.
The World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and European Community (EC) will take the lead in co-ordinating international efforts on reconstruction. A needs assessment is planned which is expected to report in three months. The UK Government will work closely with international partners to ensure that the goods required for reconstruction are able to enter Gaza.
Subjects
Capital investment; International assistance; Infrastructure; Palestine; Reconstruction; Gaza; UNRWA
Date
12 February 2009
Reference
707 c226WA; 1080
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what efforts they and the quartet's special representative are making to ensure entry into Gaza for essential sewage pipes, as requested by the United Nations Secretary-General.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what efforts they and the quartet's special representative are making to ensure entry into Gaza for essential sewage pipes, as requested by the United Nations Secretary-General.
Asked by
Lord Hylton
(Crossbench)
Answered by
Lord Tunnicliffe
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 December 2008
The Government regularly express our concerns about the current border restrictions in Gaza and urge the Israeli Government to improve the access for humanitarian supplies, commercial goods and people, including material to repair the sewage system in Gaza.
We also fully support the efforts of the quartet representative, Tony Blair, to negotiate with Israel on getting vital equipment and other supplies, including sewage pipes, into Gaza to repair the sewerage system. Tony Blair continues to negotiate access for these items with the Israeli authorities and last raised the issue with Israeli Defence Minister Barak on 17 December.
Subjects
Closures; Borders; Sewage; Repairs and maintenance; Sewers; Israel; Gaza; Water treatment
Date
18 December 2008
Reference
375; 706 c69WA
House
House of Lords