By KUNA
London : Britain Wednesday committed to provide 32 million pounds extra in aid for Palestinians in 2008 as part of an overall pledge to give up to 243 million pounds in the next three years linked to political progress, the British Government announced.
This will take the UKs total contribution to 63.6 million pounds for the year between April 2007 and March 2008, the Department for International Development said.
The funds will help to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, pay teachers, doctors and engineers and keep basic services running.
The announcement follows a pledge by the international community last year to give more than 3.5 billion pounds in aid to the Palestinian Authority.
The UK pledged to give up to 243 million pounds linked to political progress between 2008 and 2011.
Britain is one of the first donors to follow through on its Paris pledge.
In a statement, Britains International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said he was extremely concerned about the situation in Gaza.
“While only a political solution can resolve the situation, we must do what we can to help”, he said.
“The support will ensure the Palestinian Authority can pay the salaries of key public workers.
They are playing an invaluable role in keeping Palestinian society on its feet in the face of huge obstacles and deserve our support”, he added.
Alexander said that when he met Prime Minister Salam Fayyad last January, he asked for urgent help and he was pleased the UK is able to respond so quickly.
“This underlines the deep concern we have for the welfare of the Palestinian people, many of whom are suffering great hardship in Gaza”, the Minister concluded.
UK aid to the Palestinians is subject to the highest level of scrutiny. All funding will be managed by the European Commission, World Bank or the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Since the start of the Oslo peace talks in 1992 the UK has given more than 450 million pounds and remains committed to helping the Palestinian people and supporting the peace process, the British Government said.