The Government of France has disbursed EUR 6 million contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this July, bringing its total contribution for 2020 to EUR 20 million.
Of the EUR 6 million, EUR 5 million will contribute to the Agency’s core services of education, health, and poverty alleviation for all of UNRWA fields of operation, with another EUR 1 million to support the Agency’s COVID-19 response in occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
“This new contribution reflects France’s lasting commitment to ensure that UNRWA can deliver its services. France also welcomes the efforts of UNRWA to respond to the COVID crisis. UNRWA services across its five fields of operation remain all the more essential today in order to provide services to over 5.6 million Palestine refugees.” said René Troccaz, Consul General of France in Jerusalem.
“On behalf of the Agency, I thank the Government of France for funding generously UNRWA core services while also contributing to ensure the response to the additional challenges that the COVID-19 crisis poses to the Agency. I also commend France for advancing the majority of its funding to the first quarter of 2020 to help address the constant cash flow shortage of the Agency. France has provided steadfast support to the Agency and has become, last year, one of the Agency’s top partners,” said Marc Lassouaoui, UNRWA Chief of Donor Relations.
France has been a dedicated and reliable partner to UNRWA, reaching a total of EUR 41 million in funding for the fiscal year 2019. UNRWA is deeply grateful for the sustained support of France.
Original source: UNRWA
Published on 29 July 2020
