TOM Harris today paid tribute to a local charity as it sets out to deliver much-needed medical aid to the stricken people of Gaza.

Glasgow The Caring City, based at Old Cathcart Parish Church in Tom's Glasgow South constituency, in partnership with World Emergency Relief UK and a Middle East partner will be opening a field hospital in Gaza this week.

The field clinic will be run by the Jordanian Military’s Medical Teams who will be supported  with more than £100,000 of medical supplies.

The Rev. Neil Galbraith of Cathcart Old Parish Church and Glasgow The Caring City said: "We believe that we are perhaps the only Scottish Charities to be able to fast track medical supplies into Jordan due to our unique and highly effective partnerships.
 
"The working process of dealing directly with the Jordanian Military Medical Teams was highly successful in front line medical treatments in Lebanon during the 2006 conflict and is a trusted and reliable means of effective humanitarian relief on the front lines. It is also a guaranteed means of the medical supplies being allowed into Gaza, no other route is assured."

Tom congratulated the charity for its efforts in bringing aid to Gaza which suffered an air and ground assault by the Israeli military following months of rocket attacks against Israel from Hamas-controlled Gaza.

He said: "Not for the first time, Glasgow The Caring City has come up with real, valuable and practical aid for one of the most troubled parts of the world.

"Israel has the right to defend itself, but the people of Gaza have a right not to live in fear and terror. I have written to David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, expressing my concerns, and the concerns of many constituents who have contacted me in recent days, about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza."