LONDON, March 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in theMiddle Eastwill receivelife-saving support, thanks to new funding announced today by the Foreign Secretary.

In total,£15millionfromtheUKwillbeallocatedtoorganisationsacross theMiddle East and surrounding regionsto address therapidly worsening humanitariansituation.

Halfof the funding announced will support organisations in Lebanon, wherean estimated800,000 people have been displaced. This includes:

*

£3.5millionforurgent humanitarian appeals inLebanontodeliver food, shelter, clean water, medicalassistance, and other life‑saving support to displaced civilians.Thiswillbedelivered by the World Food Programme, UNICEF, andUN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

*

£2millionfor the Lebanese Red Cross to provide medical care, reliefitemsand other life-savingassistanceto keep essential emergency services running.

*

£2millionfor the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)toprovide immediate relief, including vital medical support, topeople fleeing violence.

The rest of the moneywill be mobilisedto supportpartnerstoprotectthose who aremost vulnerableacross the wider region. It will alsohelp toenhancereadiness for potential large‑scale displacement and refugee flows, including:

*

£3 million for the UNHCR's Regional Refugee Response Plan Appealtoensure preparedness andprovide protection andassistanceto peopleat risk ofdisplacementfrom Iranto neighbouring countries.

*

£3millionfor the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF's operations in Afghanistantohelp support emergency preparedness, including for Afghans moving back to Afghanistan as result of the conflict in Iran,and tosupport the procurement of essential nutrition supplies for vulnerable children.

*

£1millionfortheInternational Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC)'s operations in Iraqtodeliver humanitarianassistanceand protection to the most vulnerable.This includes providing medical treatment, as well as support to hospitals,ambulanceand blood transfusion services across the country.

*

£0.5millionfor UNICEFto deal with emerging humanitarian needs across the region, includingchild protection and support for women and girls.

The total package of support for humanitarian needs across the Middle East includes the£5 million announced by the Foreign Secretary earlier this week.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Coopersaid, in a statement to Parliament:

This weekend I announced that the UK would provide an additional £5 million in essential humanitarian aid [to Lebanon],

Today I can announce a further £10 million pounds of humanitarian support to provide emergency medical care, shelter, and other life-saving assistance in Lebanon and the region.

Background

*

Please find a full version of the Foreign Secretary's statement here:Foreign Secretary statement on the Middle East conflict: 17 March - GOV.UK

*

Thisfundingis primarily targeted atsupportingvulnerable and displaced civilians in Lebanonand countries bordering Iran(Armenia, Afghanistan,Iraq,Pakistan,Turkey,andTurkmenistan).

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.