New Zealand provides further humanitarian support to Gaza and the West Bank

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced that New Zealand is providing a further $3 million to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank, according to the official website of the New Zealand Government, Report informs.

“The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling,” Peters said.

“That is why New Zealand has contributed $9 million in humanitarian assistance since the start of the conflict in October 2023.”

This new package of funding will be split evenly between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

“With 2.2 million people on the brink of famine in Gaza, the work of the World Food Programme is more important than ever,” Peters said. The $1.5 million to UNICEF will help support women, children, and babies, who are especially vulnerable in Gaza.

Both UN agencies are also responding to affected communities in the West Bank, including with cash and food assistance.

“We call on Israel to do more to facilitate faster entry of aid into Gaza by streamlining its inspection processes, opening more border crossings for aid delivery and helping ensure safe passage for those delivering this vital assistance. We also call on Israel to actively facilitate visas for humanitarian workers operating in Gaza and the West Bank, who are key to the delivery of life-saving assistance in extraordinarily challenging circumstances,” Peters said.