Qatar, UK send first joint humanitarian aid shipment to Gaza

By A Robin - January 28, 2024

Humanitarian aid shipment

The State of Qatar and the United Kingdom have jointly dispatched the inaugural humanitarian aid shipment to the Gaza Strip, marking a collaborative effort in humanitarian and development cooperation between the two nations.

In the presence of HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater, the Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and HE David Cameron, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, the first joint aid shipment, totaling 29 tonnes, including food and shelter supplies, was dispatched from Doha. The shipment later reached the city of El Arish in the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, transported by a Qatari Armed Forces plane.

The joint humanitarian aid initiative for the Gaza Strip addresses the dire humanitarian conditions in the region, emphasizing the commitment of both countries to accelerate aid delivery to the area.

The Qatar Fund for Development and the British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office had previously signed a memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation in international development and humanitarian aid during the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries hosted in Doha in March of the previous year.

HE Al Khater expressed Qatar's eagerness to strengthen collaborative efforts with the United Kingdom in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. She highlighted ongoing development and humanitarian cooperation with the UK in Somalia as well.

Emphasizing Qatar's commitment to working with international partners, HE Al Khater stressed the importance of facilitating the sustained and unobstructed flow of humanitarian aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip. This becomes crucial amid the escalating challenges resulting from the ongoing conflict and blockade.

The UK's Foreign Secretary conveyed his country's appreciation for the humanitarian and development partnership with Qatar, expressing gratitude for Qatar's commendable humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip.