“This is part of our broader humanitarian response to the crisis ensuring vulnerable children receive the specialist medical care that they urgently need.”
In July, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder met with First Minister John Swinney at Bute House, and urged the Scottish Government to facilitate evacuations.
Much of Gaza has been destroyed. (Image: Nour Abo Aisha)
At the time, he told The Herald: “There are thousands of children who need medical evacuation.
“In Gaza I’m meeting children who have been wounded, they’ve somehow survived and they go to a hospital and despite the doctors’ best efforts there just are not the drugs there that they need because those drugs are denied.”
The government has also contributed £600,000 towards a relief fund coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
The cash supports the delivery of health services, food and water, and emergency shelters; as well as educational support and cash for families displaced by the conflict in Gaza.
Dr Ramiz Alakbarov, Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said:
“Scotland’s generous support to the Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund is a lifeline for Palestinians facing immense hardship.
“This solidarity from the Scottish Government and people enables us to deliver critical, life-saving assistance to those who need it most. We are deeply grateful for this meaningful contribution.”
The Occupied Palestinian Territory, held by Israel since the Six Day War in 1987, is generally understood to consist of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Robertson added: “At this crucial time, Scottish Government funding will support the scaling up of the humanitarian response in Gaza.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and the organisations on the ground will only be able to provide desperately needed assistance if the ceasefire holds and aid is allowed to enter.
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The government has also pledged £400,000 in support for Kids Operating Room in a bid to establish a ‘rapidly deployable hospital’ in Gaza to provide essential maternity and paediatric services.
At the time of the funding announcement in early September, Swinney said: “I share the concerns of other countries and international leaders that a genocide appears to be unfolding in Gaza.
“The legal determination of genocide is the responsibility of international courts. But, governments must act now.”