The Department for International Development responded swiftly to the humanitarian crisis following Operation Cast Lead, pledging £26.8 million for immediate humanitarian aid and early recovery activities. Of this, £18.3 million has already been spent. Prior to the conflict, we had given the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) £3 million to meet immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza—£1 million in 2007 and £2 million in 2008.