First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS
Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
This week, like millions around the world, we have welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and the return of the remaining Israeli hostages held. We now hope this will become a lasting peace settlement and there will be no return to the cycle of violence which has plagued the lives of Palestinians and Israelis.
In October 2024, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched its Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to bring relief to the people of Gaza and Lebanon. On the advent of the appeal, the Welsh Government donated £100,000 and gave a further £100,000 donation in January 2025.
There is now a renewed opportunity for aid agencies and their partners to get urgently needed food, shelter, water and medical care into the Gaza strip.
For this reason, the Welsh Government will be providing a further donation of £250,000 to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal to support the aid effort.
New aid access routes, and the opportunity to use existing routes more widely because of the ceasefire, will allow DEC charities and their local partners to increase the amount of food and other urgent aid they can deliver into Gaza, reaching more families in need.
The DEC brings together leading organisations in the UK to raise funds for overseas emergencies, coordinating an effective humanitarian response, getting aid quickly to people who need it in the most cost-effective manner possible. We are grateful that the appeal has raised £3.1m in Wales so far, and £50m at UK level. The Cabinet Secretary will be meeting with DEC Cymru to discuss the recent donation and to learn more about the renewed aid effort.
Wales is also involved in the UK-wide effort to support injured children from Gaza in receiving medical treatment in the UK.
I am pleased to confirm the first of the children and their families have safely arrived in Wales, where they are being provided with very much needed medical and emotional support and, of course, an environment of peace and comfort, during their stay here in Wales. We expect to be able to welcome the next arrivals later this month.
I am sure Members and the Welsh public will join me in welcoming those who have been so heavily impacted by the awful suffering in Gaza and ensure they are treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve.