[Source: The Armidale Express]
Australia will provide $10 million in aid for Gaza as a near year-long war has largely levelled the strip and resulted in a humanitarian crisis.
The funding will target women and girls, including through the delivery of nutrition support and hygiene and dignity kits.
The money will be given to charity UNICEF and a United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
It brings Australia’s total contribution to humanitarian support to Gaza to $82.5 million as Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterates calls for more aid and a ceasefire at a UN meeting in New York.
The foreign minister will also press for greater protections for aid workers in Gaza.
“Rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief must reach civilians and aid workers must be protected to enable their lifesaving work,” she said in a statement announcing the aid on Monday.
Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, which its defence force blamed on a mistake.
International Development Minister Pat Conroy said civilians “should not be made to pay the price for the horrendous acts of others” with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaching catastrophic levels.
“The suffering must stop,” he said, adding a delay to any ceasefire deal will lead to more death.
The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000, according to the local health ministry, following a sustained counter-offensive by Israel after terrorist group Hamas killed 1200 people and took over 200 hostages by Israel’s tally.
