The Albanese Government is today making a further humanitarian contribution in response to the catastrophe in Gaza.
Australia will provide an additional $20 million to support organisations with the scale and capacity to respond quickly to deliver food, medical supplies for field hospitals and other lifesaving support to women and children in Gaza, following the announcement of new humanitarian corridors.
The Australian Government has now committed more than $130 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians in Gaza and Lebanon since 7 October 2023.
As with all our humanitarian assistance to Gaza, we're delivering our aid with key partners, including close coordination with the United Kingdom and humanitarian organisations.
The Australian Government's new package of support includes:
- $2 million for relief support with the UK, through our existing partnership arrangement
- $6 million to the UN World Food Programme for the provision and distribution of food supplies
- $5 million to UNICEF for nutritional support to children at risk of starvation
- $5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet essential needs, including access to healthcare
- $2 million to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, expanding our cooperation with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to provide medical supplies to support the operation of field hospitals in Gaza.
This funding supports the efforts of our international partners in addressing the most urgent need of innocent civilians in Gaza.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong:
"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.
"The suffering and starvation of civilians in Gaza must end.
"Australia will continue to work with the international community to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and a two-state solution - the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples."
Quotes attributable to International Development Minister Dr Anne Aly MP:
"We're working with partners to deliver immediate and sustained life-saving assistance to the people of Gaza. They must be allowed to do their vital work and deliver aid at scale.
"Australia's additional funding will bolster international efforts to address urgent needs in Gaza. It will provide urgently needed food and healthcare.
"We continue to call on Israel to allow immediate and unimpeded aid access into Gaza."
