Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that life-saving medical equipment and supplies sent by the UK to Gaza are not subject to dual-use restrictions by Israeli authorities.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In September, alongside Jordan and Qatar, the UK co-hosted a meeting of senior government ministers at the UN General Assembly focused on improving humanitarian access and healthcare in Gaza. Following the meeting, the UK and international partners issued a Call to Action urging the Government of Israel to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza and to approve additional critical items, including those considered dual use in particular related to shelter, fuel, water, sanitation and health supplies to prevent further deterioration of public health. We have repeatedly pressed the Government of Israel, privately and publicly, to lift restrictions and allow all aid into Gaza, in line with international humanitarian law.
Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with NATO allies on coordinating responses to Russian disinformation campaigns targeting the UK.
Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip
The Foreign Secretary regularly engages NATO Allies on the threat posed by Russian malign activity and the importance of strengthening our collective security and resilience. The UK works closely with NATO Allies to share best practice and lessons learned, and to drive collective action against Russian information operations. NATO Allies are unified in our determination to confront all forms of Russian malign activity and threats to our collective security over the long term. We are taking coordinated action to respond to the growing threat posed by Russian hybrid activity, including by exposing the activities of Russian Intelligence Services and sanctioning the individuals responsible. We will continue to work with Allies to hold Russia accountable, counter the hybrid threat posed by Putin's regime and strengthen our collective resilience.
Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK's protected bilateral ODA allocation for Palestine is reaching people in Gaza and the West Bank.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I draw the Hon. Member's attention to the Foreign Secretary's statement on 8 September. We continue to call on the Government of Israel to immediately lift restrictions and allow essential aid including medical supplies and fuel to reach those in desperate need, in line with international humanitarian law and as stipulated in the 20-Point Plan. We have protected our budget for Palestine and will be prioritising health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) through our integrated humanitarian programmes. We will continue to raise this with the Government of Israel. I saw our work with the Egyptian Red Crescent directly in Egypt last month, including the wider challenges facing humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Asked by: Zubir Ahmed (Labour - Glasgow South West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help improve humanitarian conditions in fragile and conflict-affected states.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are prioritising our country and regional Official Development Assistance where humanitarian needs are most acute – to reach those in greatest need and reduce the harm caused by violence and atrocities. We expect to spend £1.4 billion a year over the next three years in places facing the highest humanitarian need. We have protected funding for Sudan and Palestine at £146 million and £127 million a year respectively. And we are driving reform of the humanitarian system to be more prioritised, locally led, efficient and effective. This includes a central focus on protection of civilians and humanitarian access.