Amman: UK International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds began a visit to the Kingdom on Wednesday, during which she will hold talks with a number of officials on ways to enhance the close work between the two countries.
During her two-day visit to Jordan, Dodds will announce £6 million in funding for UNICEF’s work to support vulnerable families in Gaza, the British Embassy in Amman said in a statement.
The £6 million package will help tens of thousands of Gazans access food and water, as well as health, education, and wellbeing services.
She will also visit a World Food Programme (WFP) depot, which plays a key role in the delivery of aid to Gaza and will meet with key charity partners, including the WFP to hear about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Jordan.
“Now is the time for calm if we are to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. It is in no-one’s interests for tensions to escalate and spread across the wider region,” Dodds said.
“We are seeing the humanitarian impact of c
onflict on Gazans. This new UK support will provide a lifeline for vulnerable families, giving them access to basic food and water during a desperate time,” Dodds added, expressing appreciation for the Jordanian Government for supporting UK efforts to get aid to those in such desperate need.
She further added, “This appalling situation cannot continue. We must see an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unfettered access to lifesaving aid for those in Gaza.”
Separately, the UK is also announcing today it is allocating £14 million to support Syrian refugees currently living in the Zaatari refugee camp. The funding will be delivered in September this year, with £7 million going to UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – and the same amount to the WFP.
During her visit minister Dodds will meet Minister of Finance, Mohamad Al Ississ, and the foreign ministry’s Secretary General, Majid Al-Qatarneh to discuss Jordan’s successful economic performance in a challenging geopolitical environment.
Source: Jorda
n News Agency