The Department for International Development (DFID) has provided funding of £641,000 directly to Mines Action Group and the UN Mines Action Service for the assessment and clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO). UXO has been cleared from all UN Relief and Works Agency schools, as well as other public areas such as market places. This has allowed 220,00 children to resume their education, improved security for the civilian population and is allowing early recovery efforts, such as the removal of rubble and for families to return home, to proceed.
Mine clearing organisations are still awaiting clearance from Israel for critical safety equipment and the explosives needed to destroy UXO already cleared to be allowed into Gaza. Agreement on a safe place to destroy the UXO inside Gaza is also required. The UK Government continue to urge Israel to allow the necessary equipment to enter Gaza and to agree to a disposal site.