GAZA AID CONFERENCE HELD IN ABU DHABI

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000050

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF EAID KWBG UN IS AE
SUBJECT: GAZA AID CONFERENCE HELD IN ABU DHABI

REF: A) ABU DHABI 34, B) ABU DHABI 20, C) ABU DHABI 17, D) 08 ABU
DHABI 1467


1. As noted Ref A, UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin
Zayed, who is head of the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) and
Chairman of the UAEG's Foreign Aid Coordination Committee, called an
emergency meeting of donor countries and international relief
organizations to discuss Gaza on January 12. Under the banner of
"Donors Meeting -- Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Strip," about 40
embassies and 20 aid agencies discussed key humanitarian
priorities.


2. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash chaired
the main session, citing the urgency of "all forms" of humanitarian
relief, both immediate and in preparation for the "day after" a
cessation of hostilities. Reviewing UAE contributions (see Ref A),
he noted in particular 318 million dirham raised in a weekend
telethon, a commitment to rebuild 1300 houses (and select mosques),
and ongoing RCA donations. Gargash commended the broad variety of
donors who need to "stand together, not stand still." Gaza's
"unspeakable suffering" requires coordinated and concrete efforts by
countries, NGOs, and individuals. He praised humanitarian relief
workers -- the "unsung heroes for an area that has suffered too
long" -- and cited his own visits to Gaza in "happier times" which
he hoped would return.


3. Briefings by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA),UNRWA, and the ICRC put the crisis in context with
references to an 18-month blockade preceding military operations,
difficult circumstances for aid delivery, and intense need for
electricity, fuel, shelter, water, food, medicine, and cash. Each
organization characterized its projected requirements (as did the
WFP in its intervention) and noted that cash is preferable to
in-kind assistance. (UNRWA referred to the withholding of cash, or
the "Israeli cash weapon," as crippling the Gaza economy.) These
needs transcend the immediate crisis and will be compounded by "day
after" requirements for trauma counseling, housing, infrastructure
rebuilding, school supplies, job creation, and sanitation. The
dilemma is "as basic and as tragic" as a family that cannot afford a
funeral, noted the UNRWA representative. The Ambassador's
intervention focused on U.S. support for UNRWA, WFP, and ICRC
(drawing on Department fact sheets).


4. All briefers expressed appreciation for the UAEG's initiative in
mobilizing (and funding) relief efforts. Many interventions
expressed similar thanks to the UAEG and noted country-specific
commitments. (Interventions were made by the Czech, Jordanian,
Norwegian, Syrian, and U.S. ambassadors, as well as representatives
from WFP, Dubai Cares, UNICEF, and UNOPS). Dr. Gargash concluded by
noting that a summary of the proceedings would be prepared and
inviting participants to continue the conversation with Sheikh
Hamdan later that evening.


5. The Ambassador joined the evening discussion with Sheikh Hamdan,
which was an opportunity to reinforce the themes of the conference
and express solidarity with the humanitarian needs of Gaza. One UN
participant told the Ambassador that as a means of encouraging
increased donations to the UN system from donor (and particularly
Gulf) countries, the "donor conference" was certainly welcome.


6. Comment: By focusing the collective minds of a group of donors
and agencies on issues that each is individually seized with
already, the meeting was a welcome reminder of the massive effort
underway and the even more massive requirements on the horizon. It
also clearly identified cash contributions to UN agencies (UNRWA in
particular) and the Red Crescent as the more efficient means of
getting aid resources applied where most needed. End comment.

OLSON