Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the level of access to drinking water in Gaza.

The available evidence indicates that immediate action is needed to prevent death and illness from lack of sufficient safe water. According to the United Nations, 50 per cent of water infrastructure has been destroyed or heavily damaged. The opening of the Rafah crossing to humanitarian traffic is insufficient to meet minimum requirements, and the bottled water carried by humanitarian convoys into Gaza is severely insufficient.

The UK is calling for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza so that essential aid including food, water, fuel and medical supplies can reach civilian populations. On 16 October, the Prime Minister announced £10 million in humanitarian funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and on 23 October a further £20 million, in response to the escalating conflict. This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services. The UK is also calling on all parties to protect border crossings to support safe humanitarian access and mitigate harm to civilians.