Denmark sends new humanitarian aid package to the civilian population in Gaza

The conflict between Israel and the terrorist organisation Hamas has led to a growing humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis for civilians. Particularly in Gaza, there is an acute shortage of basic necessities, such as food, water, medicine, electricity and fuel – and the impacts on children are especially severe. Denmark has therefore decided to increase its humanitarian aid to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza, by 75 million Danish kroner (approx. 10 million euro).

This new aid focuses on the protection of children, emergency aid and food for the civilian population, the delivery of medicine and medical equipment, and medical treatment for the sick and injured.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and is worsening by the day – not least for the children. Therefore, the Government has decided to support the humanitarian efforts with an additional 75 million kroner (approx. 10 million euro). With this new humanitarian contribution, we are focusing on supporting efforts that can help the many children who are severely impacted. And there remains an urgent need to assist civilians with emergency humanitarian aid, access to clean water, and treatment of the sick and wounded. Denmark is also working with the EU and via other channels for improvements in unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, and is encouraging humanitarian pauses in the conflict so that emergency aid can enter and reach civilians,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan Jørgensen.

Catastrophic consequences for the civilian population

In Gaza, more than 10,000 civilians – including more than 4,000 children – have lost their lives since the beginning of the conflict on 7 October. An additional 1.5 million people have been displaced. Aid workers and hospitals are facing major challenges in their efforts to provide humanitarian aid and protection, including difficult conditions on the ground with ongoing military combat, depletion of storage capacities and fuel stocks, and continued challenges in getting sufficient emergency aid into Gaza.

The new DKK 75 million (approx. EURO 10 million) humanitarian aid package will be distributed between the following organisations:

UNICEF (DKK 30 million, approx. EURO 4 million): Focus on protection of children, access to clean water and hygiene.

WFP (DKK 20 million, approx. EURO 2.7 million): Focus on food efforts and logistics.

UNRWA (DKK 9 million, approx. EURO 1.2 million): Focus on protection of displaced persons, including children, and provision of basic emergency aid.

ICRC (DKK 16 million, approx. EURO 2.1 million): Focus on the supply of medicine, medical equipment and medical treatment.

The new aid will be announced in connection with the international humanitarian conference in Paris on 9 November, where Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan Jørgensen, will be a participant.

The aid package comes in addition to the Danish Government’s previous announcement of extraordinary humanitarian aid to Palestine, and brings the total humanitarian contribution to Palestine since the beginning of the conflict on 7 October to DKK 125 million (approx. EURO 16.7 million).

Press contact: +45 33 92 19 43 / pressevagten@um.dk