By Judith Ugwumadu | 28 July 2014

The UK will be sending a further £2m in emergency humanitarian aid to international agencies working with Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza.

This brings to £4m the amount committed by Britain to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Gaza Flash Appeal in the last week. It will fund basic shelter, blankets, hygiene kits, nappies and other vital help for tens of thousands of people forced to flee their homes.

On July 22, the Department of International Development handed over £2m to support the appeal, helping over 84,000 people who are seeking shelter in UNRWA schools.  

An additional £3m has been sent to the wider relief effort in Gaza.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: ‘More than 800 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks, with thousands injured and many tens of thousands displaced. It is essential that civilians are protected and all sides must allow aid agencies unimpeded access to get to those in desperate need.

‘A ceasefire needs to be agreed urgently as the first step towards a sustainable political solution. That is the only hope for peace and stability in the long term.’

The UK is the fourth biggest donor to UNRWA, providing around £107m from 2011-2015.