Ireland is to give €2 million in funding to support humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said today.
The announcement coincides with a trip by the Minister to Egypt where he is to participate in the International Conference on Support for the Palestinian economy and the Reconstruction of Gaza, which is being held in Egypt tomorrow.
The conference has been organised by the governments of Egypt and Norway. Over eighty countries have been invited and those attending include president Mubarak of Egypt, president Sarkozy of France, prime minister Berlusconi of Italy, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and the UN secretary general.
"This is an extremely important conference which is intended to demonstrate political support for the Palestinian people and to mobilise international support and resources for Gaza. The humanitarian and reconstruction needs are stark in the wake of the recent conflict, and the Government is determined that Ireland will play its part in addressing them," said Martin.
"Egypt is continuing to push the intensive diplomatic efforts to put in place a permanent ceasefire in Gaza .This conference must convey a strong political message of support for these efforts. It must also show the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority that the international community will work with them, and support them in rebuilding Gaza, and in rebuilding the broader peace process."
Mr Martin said he would be stressing the importance of opening up all border crossings into Gaza so that it is possible meet the humanitarian and reconstruction needs effectively.
