Humanitarian conference sends clear message: suffering in Gaza must cease

Ms Tvinnereim attended the humanitarian conference for Gaza held in Jordan on Tuesday 11 June. The conference was co-hosted by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Sisi and the UN. Participants included Palestinian President Abbas, UN Secretary-General Guterres, US Secretary of State Blinken and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

‘It is significant that the neighbouring countries have taken the initiative to host this conference at such short notice. Discussions at the meetings I had yesterday with the Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, UNRWA and several other UN organisations highlighted the negative impact that the war in Gaza is having on the entire Middle East. Children and young people throughout the region are losing hope and confidence in the future. The conversation I had with three children from Gaza was deeply moving. They were not in Gaza when the war started and therefore have been stranded in Amman and separated from their families for eight months,’ said Ms Tvinnereim.

In her statement, Ms Tvinnereim emphasised that the crisis in Gaza is man-made, and that the parties have a duty to protect and meet the needs of the civilian population, also while the war rages. She pointed out that Norway will be providing NOK 1 billion in humanitarian support to Palestine this year, in addition to NOK 700 million in long-term development assistance.