14 May, 2006
NEW DELHI: Concerned over a humanitarian crisis brewing in West Bank and Gaza, India, on Saturday, announced assistance worth $2 million (Rs 100 million) to help the Palestinians reeling under a crippling economic boycott imposed by the West against the Hamas-led government.
The assistance, in response to a request by the Palestinian authorities, will be mostly in the form of medicines and medical supplies.
"India is seriously concerned at the hardships and sufferings of the Palestinian people as a result of the evolving situation in Gaza and the West Bank," said a statement from the external affairs ministry here.
The Indian representative in Ramallah is in touch with the Palestinian
authorities to ensure that the medical supplies reach the people concerned.
The Hamas-led government that came to power early this year is on the brink of
an economic collapse because of the international aid cut off, and increasingly
unable to provide even basic amenities.
Over 150,000 government workers have not been paid for the past two months.
The Western countries have cut off the aid to Palestine because Hamas continues
to refuse to recognise Israel and renounce its ideology of violence.
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