Ben Lake MP writes to Foreign Secretary urging restoration of UK’s UNRWA funding
Plaid Cymru Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Ben Lake MP, has today (Thursday 11 July) issued a call to the newly appointed Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy MP, to urgently restore funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This appeal comes in response to the severe humanitarian crisis currently unfolding in Gaza.
In his letter, Mr Lake expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and its devastating impact on the civilian population in Gaza. Since the attacks by Hamas on October 7th, over 38,000 people, including more than 12,500 women and children, have been killed due to military operations sanctioned by the Government of Israel. An additional 88,000 people have been injured, many suffering from life-changing and debilitating conditions.
In April, then Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy committed a future Labour UK Government to restore funding for UNRWA. Ben Lake MP is now urging him to honour this commitment immediately and align the UK’s position with nations such as Australia, Sweden, Japan, and Germany. Reaffirming support for UNRWA is essential to recognise the central role it plays in the humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Ben Lake MP writes:
“I should firstly like to offer my congratulations to you on your appointment as Secretary of State. I write with severe concern regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th, over 38,000 people, including over 12,500 women and children, have been killed as a result of military operations in Gaza sanctioned by the Government of Israel. A further 88,000 people have been injured, many suffering life-changing and debilitating injuries.
“The United Nations note that Gaza’s health and social infrastructure has been critically weakened by Israel’s assault, rendering its population extremely vulnerable. Furthermore, UN experts have now declared that famine has now taken hold throughout the Gaza strip, and there are worrying reports that Israeli authorities continue to hinder the safe entry and distribution of vital humanitarian aid.
“The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) plays a crucial role in this effort as it is simultaneously the largest aid provided, and the only aid agency with the resources, expertise, and infrastructure to provide the urgent aid that the Palestinian people need. Without UNRWA infrastructure it has been acknowledged that humanitarian aid efforts from other agencies in Gaza would either collapse or be rendered inoperable at a time when it is critical all vital relief efforts and coordination is undertaken without delay or hindrance.
“The independent Colonna report noted that UNRWA is indispensable to Palestinians’ human and economic development, and yet it is an agency under attack. UNRWA sites in Gaza are frequently targeted by military strikes, whilst extensive efforts are being made to undermine its reputation internationally. There have even been attacks on its headquarters in Jerusalem.
“In April, you committed a future Labour UK Government to immediately restoring funding for UNRWA. I now ask that you honour this commitment as a matter of urgency and bring the UK’s position in line with that of nations such as Australia, Sweden, Japan, and Germany. I also ask that you reaffirm the UK’s support of UNRWA in recognition of the central role it plays in the humanitarian efforts in Gaza.”
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