Palestinian Territories: MDM-Greece condemns the suspension of direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority and the military attacks upon civilian population
Médecins du Monde (MDM) - Greece
Date: 04-19-06
Médecins du Monde-Greece is expressing its deep concern about the developments taking place over the past weeks. Following the Hamas victory in the Palestinian legislative elections, Canada, US and the EU have decided to suspend all direct financial aid towards, as well as their relationships with, the newly elected Palestinian Authority. These decisions, which by ordinary Palestinians are perceived as a collective punishment for their democratic electoral choice, are currently threatening to worsen the already miserable conditions of living for the great majority of the Palestinian population. Palestinians are already forced to survive, to a great extent, through the provision of international aid. Currently, more than 60% of the Palestinians have to survive on less than $2.10 per day.
It must be considered as certain that the suspension of aid will cause a significant deterioration in the everyday life of the civilian population, who have been suffering for long by conflicts, economic hardship and the occupation, and will have a serious effect upon the provision of educational and health services. Especially with regard to health care, such a step would worsen an already difficult situation that is due to the construction of the Separation Wall, the rising number of closures and checkpoints, and the steadily decreasing number of movement permits of Palestinian people.
The independence of the NGO?s that operate in the Palestinian territories should not be jeopardised by pushing them into the creation of a parallel structure with the Palestinian Authority. Besides, humanitarian aid organizations do not have the technical capacities to fulfil this role, which should be under the exclusive competence of the elected Palestinian authorities, in accordance to the international agreements that have been signed so far. Furthermore, this ?politicization? of the NGO?s could endanger the safety of the humanitarian personnel who live and work in the Palestinian territories.
During this recent period one has also witnessed an intensification of attacks from both sides upon civilian population, especially in the Gaza strip, resulting so far to 17 killed people and 77 injuries, including children. Instead of pushing towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict, such operations are contributing to the continuation of the vicious circle of violence, as yesterday?s suicide bombing in Tel Aviv has shown (April 17th, 2006).
Médecins du Monde-Greece strongly condemns the excessive use of force upon civilian population, wherever it comes from and demands security guarantee for the civilians and the members of the humanitarian organizations. At the same time, calls the international donors to respect their commitments and continue the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population. For further information about the conditions in the Palestinian territories please contact to:
+ 30 6948 ? 50 47 56 (Dr. Eleftheria Parthenopoulou, President of Médecins du Monde ? Greece) + 972 54 74 38 867 (Mr. Takis Geros, Mission Coordinator in Palestine)
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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