To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to alleviate the humanitarian conditions of people in Gaza in the last 12 months. (275057)

The Department for International Development (DFID) funds the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide schooling for 200,000 children in Gaza, and health care for the 70 per cent. of Gazans who are refugees. Our funding for the Palestinian Authority also helps support delivery of essential services in Gaza.

Since December 2008 DFID pledged close to £47 million to assist with humanitarian relief and early recovery activities. Of this, nearly £7 million has already been allocated to non-governmental organisations. A further £12.8 million has been allocated to United Nations agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Throughout this period we have also consistently lobbied the Israeli Government on the need to improve access for humanitarian supplies and personnel into Gaza.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) financial aid and (b) building material his Department has provided to Gaza since November 2008; and how much such building material has been delivered into Gaza to date. (275519)

Following the Gaza conflict which started in December 2008, the Department for International Development (DFID) has pledged £46.8 million to assist with humanitarian relief and early recovery activities. £19.8 million has already, been allocated to United Nations (UN) agencies and non-governmental organisations. Since 2008, DFID has also funded the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide schooling to 200,000 children in Gaza and healthcare to the 70 per cent. of Gazans who are refugees. DFID also provides funding to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to deliver essential services in Gaza.

DFID has not directly provided building materials in Gaza. However, a number of the projects we fund are helping to provide shelter, and rehabilitate schools and basic water infrastructure. Further details on these projects are available on the DFID website:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2009/DFID-UK-funding-to-2009-Gaza-Crisis/

We do not know exactly how much building material has been allowed into Gaza to date. Severe restrictions remain on the import of water and sanitation materials, cement and other reconstruction materials. Meaningful recovery and reconstruction of houses and infrastructure will be very difficult while these remain in place.