Amman (Brussel Morning Newspaper) – EU Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib called on the international community to continue backing the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) amid the continuing humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The work done by UNRWA to support Palestinians in Gaza and the region is now more important than ever and needs to be steadily supported by the international community,
Lahbib stated on X, adding that she has conveyed this statement during her discussions with Olaf Becker, UNRWA’s director in Jordan.
EU contributions to Palestinian refugee aid:
European Union was one of the biggest supporters for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA. Commitment amount stands at €261 million to UNRWA by the EU for 2022-2024. For example, it will commit annually to UNRWA an amount of €97 million in 2022, and similarly, €82 million for 2023 and 2024; these committed amounts of funding are to support core services such as health, education, and social services among refugee Palestinians.
The additional funding was dedicated to the CIU of UNRWA to support Palestine refugees affected by conflict and forced displacement in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem with a specific €1 million allocated by the EU.
The partnership with UNRWA is based on the promotion of rights for Palestinian refugees and further aims at their protection under international humanitarian law. The EU has been a strong advocate for addressing the needs of these populations since 2009, and its humanitarian funds directly support UNRWA’s advocacy efforts and access to services.
