The European Commission will provide an extra €3 million relief assistance in the Gaza Strip. An emergency humanitarian aid decision has been launched with this in mind. The aid will be deployed as rapidly as possible to meet the basic needs of people affected by the Israeli air strikes and by continuing access restrictions. The funds are channelled through the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) under the responsibility of Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel, who called on the Israeli authorities to respect their international obligations and ensure a “humanitarian space” for the delivery of vital relief. Close cooperation is taking place with Czech presidency.
In 2008, the European Commission provided more than €73 million in humanitarian assistance for victims of the ongoing crisis in the Palestinian Territories of which 56% was for relief activities in the Gaza Strip. EU-funded humanitarian projects are implemented by international NGOs, specialised UN agencies and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement.
