Palestine and Lebanon: NEC gives £5,000 for humanitarian aid

Report by Jane Carolan (NEC member)

UNISON's National Executive has donated £5,000 for humanitarian relief in the Lebanon and Palestine through Medical Aid to Palestine (MAP).

After the horror of the conflict in Lebanon throughout the summer months, the eyes of the world have moved on to other causes, but the work of reconstructing that country is just beginning.

Over one million people have been displaced by the fighting in the south of Lebanon and the damage to the infrastructure by Israeli bombing raids is immense.

As well as dealing with the refugee crisis, water and energy supplies are disrupted, many roads and bridges have been destroyed and there remains a need for emergency medical supplies.

Medical Aid has been working with local organisations to provide emergency assistance and the NEC donation will be used to help in emergency relief.

Meanwhile the crisis in Palestine itself continues. Following democratic elections there, western governments have been intent on punishing the Palestinian people by withholding aid and refusing to deal with the leadership they elected.

This has led to the Palestinian Authority facing a funding crisis. For those who work in the public sector it has meant wages have not been paid. But more than that, as the authority cannot pay any of its bills the Palestinians face shortages of medical supplies, electricity, food and water

MAP's emergency projects emphasise the need for essential drugs, medical equipment, and food.

As well as providing financial assistance, the NEC and the General Secretary have been involved in the political campaign over the summer months in the call for a ceasefire in Lebanon, taking it to the highest levels of government by writing to the Foreign Secretary and taking adverts in the national press in an effort to influence public opinion.

UNISON has also sought to provide support and material help to the Lebanese trade union movement. At this time of the 40th anniversary of the illegal occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the support of the trade union movement for the Palestinian cause remains crucial, and the demand for a free Palestinian state is as urgent as ever.

UNISON has a long involvement with the PGFTU, the Palestinian trade union federation, and has provided a variety of material support as well as solidarity over the years. This involvement is set to continue.

Our union is also involved in the new campaign "End the Occupation" that is intended to focus on the abuse of Palestinian rights and the denial of the Palestinian People of their own state as long called for in international law and UN resolutions.

Further information on these campaigns can be found at the UNISON website. If branches wish to make a donation to MAP or find out more about relief efforts, then check out www.map-uk.org or www.scottishpsc.org.uk.

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