Jersey sends £1m for Gaza civilians in 2025

Jersey's support comes at a critical moment said the UN World Food Programme

Jersey has sent £1m in humanitarian relief to Gaza in 2025, the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (JOA) has said.

Funds have gone to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), said the JOA.

The donations "demonstrate Jersey's determination to act swiftly and effectively in one of the world's most devastating humanitarian crises," said Carolyn Labey, chair of the JOA Commission and minister for international development.

The announcement came as the UN's humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged Israel to open more crossings into Gaza to allow a surge of aid following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"Jersey's support comes at a critical moment, as WFP scales up life-saving food assistance across Gaza," said Antoine Renard of the WFP.

He said support from Jersey would help the WFP "reach more families with not just food, but a sense of hope and dignity amid unimaginable hardship".

MAP will deliver chemotherapy drugs for more than 4,400 patients in Gaza, while OCHA will enhance coordination to ensure aid reaches those most in need, said the JOA.

Since October 2023, Jersey has allocated £2.3m to Gaza.