Australia will commit a further $20 million to assist the delivery of critical food and aid to starving Gazans, as health authorities confirmed reporting that 163 people had died of starvation, including 93 children. Source: The Australian.
The move comes amid growing international pressure for Australia to join the United Kingdom, France and Canada in committing to recognising Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly in September, which will be attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the additional $20 million aid package on Sunday night, which brings Australia’s total contribution to $130 million.
The assistance will be delivered through key partners and humanitarian organisations and will be broken into five components.
The announcement comes after the Israeli Government relented to the establishment of humanitarian corridors, following intense global condemnation it was deliberately starving civilians in Gaza – claims Israeli Prime Minister Israeli Netanyahu has denied and labelled a “bold-faced lie”.
Two million dollars has been been earmarked for relief support alongside the UK though the existing partnership arrangement, and $6 million will be spent through the UN World Food Program for the distribution for critical food supplies.
Five million dollars has been committed both to UNICEF to target children at risk of starvation, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide essential needs, like healthcare.
Another $2 million will be delivered through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation to bolster the operations of field hospitals in the war zone.
Senator Wong reiterated her demands of a ceasefire, with the US and Israel restarting negotiations for a peace deal.
The move also comes after more than 90,000 anti-war protesters shut down Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, demanding more action, with similar large-scale demonstrations happening in Melbourne’s CBD.
“Australia has consistently been part of the international call on Israel to allow a full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice,” she said.
“The suffering and starvation of civilians in Gaza must end.”
FULL STORY
Australia commits $20m in humanitarian aid to Gaza, Foreign Minister Penny Wong demands end to ‘suffering and starvation’ (By Jessica Wang, The Australian)
