UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the decision made by the European Commission on Friday to release €50 million (approximately $54 million) for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Dujarric stated that the decision comes at a critical time, and the United Nations believes this amount is part of the €82 million (about $89 million) in aid that the European Commission will provide to UNRWA this year.
Guterres strongly hopes that international donors will follow the European Commission’s lead in supporting UNRWA.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also welcomed the European Commission’s decision, stating that the funds will support UNRWA’s efforts to maintain life-saving services for Palestinian refugees in the region.
UNRWA has faced significant challenges after Western donors suspended funding following Israeli allegations that 12 agency employees were involved in a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year.
The agency provides assistance and protection to approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
