MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia is committed to working with the international community to help
bring about a lasting peace in the Middle East.
Australia welcomes the release of the Middle East 'road map', and stands
ready to support this process through practical means, including the provision
of modest aid to Palestinian communities.
The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territories remains of
continuing concern.
Increased Israeli-Palestinian violence since September 2000 has led to high
rates of unemployment, poverty and malnutrition, and reduced access to essential
health care in the Palestinian Territories.
To help alleviate this situation I am pleased to announce further Australian
humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian Territories.
Australia, through AusAID, will provide over $1 million to support food
security, nutrition and health programs in the Territories.
Australia will provide $250,000 to CARE Australia for medical equipment to
improve obstetric care in the Palestinian Territories.
Australia will also contribute $800,000 to the United Nations Humanitarian
Plan of Action for the Palestinian Territories. Our support will fund food
security, nutrition and psychosocial support programs through the Food and
Agriculture Organisation and UNICEF.
These contributions are part of the ongoing humanitarian and development
assistance that Australia provides to the Palestinian people. This brings
Australia's aid commitment to the Palestinian Territories and Palestinian
refugees to about $10.6 million in 2002-2003.
Mr Downer is in Jordan today as part of his visit to the Middle East.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's office) 02 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890 (NB - no
voicemail service available - text messages only)
Dominic Morice (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126