Justin
Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2005
- Messages
- 291
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2006
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21976374-1702,00.html
Australia gives $4m to help Palestinians
AUSTRALIA is to give $4 million in emergency aid to the Palestinian Government plus $3 million to help refugees in Gaza and Lebanon.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who is in the Middle East, said Australia's contribution to the emergency Palestinian Government would provide essential supplies to keep hospitals open and children in schools.
Mr Downer said he supported Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to form an emergency government with Salam Fayyad as prime minister following the violent Hamas takeover of Gaza.
"The formation of the emergency government presents a valuable opportunity to revive the peace process and ensure that the actions of violent extremists do not derail the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people," he said.
Mr Downer said he welcomed the comments of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said the emergency Government would be regarded as a partner for peace.
Australia would continue to engage with the emergency Palestinian Government to promote peace and provide humanitarian assistance, Mr Downer said.
"Australia remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories, particularly Gaza, following the recent violence," he said.
The humanitarian assistance includes $2 million in emergency food aid for an estimated 158,000 refugee families in Gaza and $1 million for food, health services, housing, water and sanitation services for 27,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
The new contributions will lift Australia's assistance to Palestinian refugees since July 2006 to $23.2 million.
Australia gives $4m to help Palestinians
AUSTRALIA is to give $4 million in emergency aid to the Palestinian Government plus $3 million to help refugees in Gaza and Lebanon.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who is in the Middle East, said Australia's contribution to the emergency Palestinian Government would provide essential supplies to keep hospitals open and children in schools.
Mr Downer said he supported Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to form an emergency government with Salam Fayyad as prime minister following the violent Hamas takeover of Gaza.
"The formation of the emergency government presents a valuable opportunity to revive the peace process and ensure that the actions of violent extremists do not derail the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people," he said.
Mr Downer said he welcomed the comments of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who said the emergency Government would be regarded as a partner for peace.
Australia would continue to engage with the emergency Palestinian Government to promote peace and provide humanitarian assistance, Mr Downer said.
"Australia remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories, particularly Gaza, following the recent violence," he said.
The humanitarian assistance includes $2 million in emergency food aid for an estimated 158,000 refugee families in Gaza and $1 million for food, health services, housing, water and sanitation services for 27,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
The new contributions will lift Australia's assistance to Palestinian refugees since July 2006 to $23.2 million.