Jersey to Fund Cancer Drugs for More Than 4,000 Patients in Gaza

More than 4,400 people in Gaza will receive essential oncology medicines, including chemotherapy drugs, through funding from Jersey. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) will use support from Jersey Overseas Aid to deliver the treatments. Separately, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society will receive assistance for first responders in the West Bank through a partnership with Jersey.

The initiative is part of new humanitarian allocations announced by the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, the Island’s publicly funded aid and development agency. The funding is intended to support civilians affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The latest round of funding goes to MAP, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It brings Jersey’s total humanitarian assistance for this year to about £1 million. Since October 2023, Jersey has allocated £2.3 million to organisations working in the region, including WFP, OCHA, MAP and International Health Partners (IHP). According to the source, the funds are channelled through agencies that adhere to high standards of transparency and accountability.

The decision comes as humanitarian agencies expand operations following a ceasefire and renewed international efforts toward peace. The source states that, despite improved access, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with millions facing severe shortages of food, healthcare and shelter.

Deputy Carolyn Labey, International Development Minister and chair of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, said the allocations “demonstrate Jersey’s determination to act swiftly and effectively in one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises.” She added that as agencies regain access to cut-off communities, the support is “helping deliver food, medicine and other life-saving assistance to those who need it most.”

Antoine Renard, WFP Country Director for Palestine, said the support “comes at a critical moment, as WFP scales up life-saving food assistance across Gaza.” The new allocations will allow WFP to expand nutrition programmes for malnourished children under five and for pregnant and breastfeeding women, while OCHA will use its share to improve co-ordination of humanitarian efforts across Gaza and the West Bank as relief work increases. Feeding hungry children and caring for the vulnerable reflects the charity shown to those in need (Matthew 25:35).

The Government of Jersey has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza after more than two years of devastating conflict. The update comes just under a month after the UK formally recognised Palestine, provisionally along 1967 borders, before the Gaza Strip and West Bank were occupied. Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s Chief Minister, later told the States Assembly that the Island’s government, which had previously joined global condemnation of the “human tragedy” in the region, supports that move.

As the ceasefire was confirmed the previous week, Deputy Farnham said he was “sure many Islanders will feel a deep sense of relief at this development, which offers renewed hope for peace and recovery.” He said the compassion shown by the community reflects Jersey’s values of “humanity, empathy and solidarity,” and added: “We now hope this marks the beginning of meaningful dialogue and lasting peace for all those who have suffered so greatly.”

Source: Read the original report