Media Releases > Oxfam Ireland Press Release

Dr. Brian Scott, CEO Oxfam Ireland

As Middle East humanitarian situation worsens, Oxfam Ireland focuses emergency relief on Gaza.

4th Aug 2006

Oxfam Ireland fears that those in Gaza, who are also affected by the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, may be forgotten. Today, therefore, Oxfam Ireland has decided to commit an initial €50,000/£35,000 of emergency funds to supply urgent medical supplies to one of their local partners providing essential medical services in Gaza .

Oxfam Ireland's Chief Executive, Dr Brian Scott, said: "The media spotlight moves on so quickly that it's easy to forget the many thousands still struggling to survive in Gaza without basic essential services of water and electricity, and with food and other supplies very short. We have therefore decided to commit an initial €50,000/£35,000 to purchase urgently needed medical supplies and medicines for Gaza . This will be transmitted via our Oxfam Belgium colleagues, who have worked with humanitarian partners in Gaza for many years. We hope this will help to ease the dire shortages."

In Lebanon, Oxfam is working to improve living conditions for an estimated 900,000 people who, having fled the conflict, are now living in very difficult temporary conditions. A seven-person Oxfam team, based in Beirut, is working hard with locally based teams to provide water and sanitation to as many people as possible. Of necessity the effort is confined to Beirut as the south of the country remains too dangerous to enter. The work was made more difficult, following the sacking of the UN offices earlier in the week,  as effective coordination of all relief efforts is severely hampered.

Makeshift centres have sprung up in schools, parks, and public buildings as displaced families seek shelter wherever they can find it. Oxfam is currently providing clean water to displaced persons living in 30 schools and Beirut railway station; and is also distributing basic sanitary items such as buckets and soap. While food is available, low and uncertain supplies are pushing up prices and Oxfam has already distributed £150,000 worth of food parcels.

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