UK to provide £2m for humanitarian relief in Lebanon
20 July 2006
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn today announced that the UK
will contribute an initial £2 million for immediate relief efforts in response
to an appeal by the Lebanese Prime Minister.
UK funding will be provided through the
 European Commission’s Humanitarian
Aid Department (ECHO) and other international humanitarian aid agencies. Both
the UN and
International Committee of the Red Cross have made urgent appeals for
humanitarian funds.
The UN estimates that some 500,000 people have fled their homes in Lebanon
due to the conflict. Priority needs include food, shelter, medical supplies and
access to clean water.
DFID is also making arrangements for humanitarian and reconstruction advisers
to be sent to the region as soon as possible.
Hilary Benn said:
“The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is of grave concern. This conflict is
causing great harm to the civilian populations on both sides and the
continuing violence is making it very difficult to get aid where it is most
needed.
“The international community needs to respond if we are to head off an
even greater catastrophe.”
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Notes to editors
1. Over the last ten years DFID has made significant contributions to
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon including through the
UN Relief and Works Agency
(UNRWA) (£4.2m this year). The scope of UNRWA's activities is mainly supporting
the basic needs of Palestinian refugees providing camp facilities, health,
education and food aid and job creation activities. DFID also supports Lebanon
more broadly through contributions to other multilateral channels (£14.8m in
2004).
2. The European Commission today pledged 10 million euros (£6.8m) to help
civilian victims of the violence in Lebanon (UK share is approx £1.2m)
3. Israel has not requested any humanitarian assistance to date.
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