The European Union donates an additional eur 10.5 million to UNRWA at a crucial time for Palestine refugees

The European Union (EU) has announced an additional, vital contribution of EUR 10.5 million to the 2017 Programme Budget of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in support of education, access to health care, employment opportunities, and improved living conditions for millions of Palestine refugees.

This donation complements nearly five decades of steadfast EU support of Palestine refugees. This year, in particular, the European Union and UNRWA have launched the unique Healthy Living, Healthy Spaces (HLHS) campaign, targeting 50 EU-sponsored UNRWA schools and 15 health centers for repair and rehabilitation across Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank and Jordan fields. Both the HLHS initiative and latest contribution stand as a testament to the strong EU and UNRWA partnership for Palestine refugees.

In recognition of the contribution, Pierre Krähenbühl, UNRWA Commissioner-General, stated: “Giving some half million students in UNRWA schools across the Middle East a sense of dignity and preserving their opportunities is particularly urgent at a time when the spaces in which they can develop and enjoy a normal childhood are shrinking so dramatically. This is particularly important in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in Gaza and in Syria. In these contexts, the support we receive from the EU is of critical significance.”

“With this contribution, the EU support to the regular UNRWA budget in 2017 has reached EUR 102 million. This support allows millions of Palestine refugees to receive access to education, health, and other social services. These services are crucial for sustaining hope amid a tough reality,” said EU Representative Ralph Tarraf. “In its five fields of operations, UNRWA is contributing to stability in the face of enormous new challenges. The EU will continue to support this effort until a just and agreed-upon solution is found for Palestine refugees. This is an essential element of the EU strategy to maintain peace in the region,” he added.

The European Union is the Agency’s largest multilateral donor, with an overall yearly contribution amounting to 12.5 percent of the total programme support. This latest donation brings the EU contributions to EUR 102 million for 2017, including EUR 82 million disbursed earlier in the year and the additional contribution of EUR 9.5 million announced this past September.

Original source: UNRWA
Published on 22 December 2017