Joe Quinn The Scottish Government is to provide more than £420,000 for humanitarian aid in Gaza, it said yesterday.
The move was announced by newly appointed External Affairs Minister Michael Russell, who said the scale of devastation from the recent Gaza conflict was "staggering".
A total of £428,000 is being allocated from the government's international development fund to support Scottish charities there. Christian Aid, Save the Children and Medical Aid for Palestinians will focus on food and hygiene aid for children and families, while Oxfam Scotland will help provide safe drinking water and sewage removal.
Islamic Relief will remove rubble and dangerous debris from neighbourhoods while other charities will evacuate injured children for treatment and provide medical aid.
Mr Russell said more than 1400 Palestinians had been killed in the conflict, more than 5300 were seriously injured and 21,000 homes had been damaged or destroyed.
"As a responsible nation, we must take whatever action we can to help innocent civilians enduring extreme suffering as a result of such conflict," he said. "Scottish charities have a long history of responding quickly and effectively in emergency situations.
"Today, I am making funding available to eight organisations with track records of working with local partners to deliver targeted humanitarian aid to the people needing it most."
Samina Haq, of Islamic Relief, said its project would help create jobs for unemployed labourers in and around Gaza City, and in the northern Gaza Strip, by supporting the removal of rubble caused by weeks of conflict.
Steven James, chief executive of Medical Aid for Palestinians, said: "It is only as the dust clears over Gaza that we are truly able to assess the full extent of the damage and the work to be done. In the aftermath of the bombardment, whole families have been left without homes or shelter.
"A huge number of casualties continue to require intensive medical care, while chronic disease and infection rates are likely to soar due to water and food shortages."
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