"Catastrophic humanitarian disaster" unfolding in Gaza, says Anna Dixon MP
- jamieparkinson2001
- Jan 20
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 21
Anna Dixon MP has today described the current situation in Gaza as a "humanitarian disaster", and asked the government what steps it is taking to ensure international non-governmental organisations can continue to operate in the region.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Dixon said: "We have all witnessed the unfolding catastrophic humanitarian disaster in Gaza, exacerbated by the collapse of the Gazan health system and the suspension of aid delivery.
"I am therefore shocked that the Israeli Government plan to prohibit some 37 international non-governmental organisations from operating in Gaza and the west bank, including Médecins Sans Frontières, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council. What steps have the UK Government taken to prevent this, and what more do they intend to do?"
In response, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "I agree with my hon. Friend about how incredibly damaging the deregistration of vital international NGOs is. They do incredible humanitarian work, which includes providing, through thousands of staff, lifesaving services worth hundreds of millions of pounds in Gaza.
"They simply cannot be removed or replaced, and it is extremely destructive to prevent them from operating.
"That is why I led a joint statement, on behalf of 10 countries, urging the Israeli Government to allow these essential international NGOs to operate in a sustained and predictable way, and we will pursue this as part of phase 2 of the peace process."
