The Indian government has donated $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as part of its annual commitment of $5 million. This contribution supports UNRWA’s core activities including education, healthcare, relief, and social services for Palestinian refugees.
According to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Cairo, this donation reaffirms the Indian government’s ongoing support for UNRWA’s activities in the region. India increased its annual contribution to UNRWA from $1.25 million to $5 million in 2018 and has provided a total of $35 million to UNRWA’s core program by the fiscal year 2023-2024.
At a recent pledging conference for UNRWA held in New York, India also announced that it would provide medications to UNRWA upon request, in addition to its financial assistance. India reiterated its call for the safe, sustainable, and timely delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
India also extends various forms of economic aid to Palestine, amounting to approximately $141.2 million. This includes $70.6 million in developmental assistance and $39 million in budget support to the Palestinian Authority. Major developmental aid projects in Palestine funded by India include a technology park, three schools, a women’s empowerment center, a national press, two information and communications technology centers, two vocational training centers, and numerous quick-impact projects.
Furthermore, India has delivered 70 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza, handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent at Al-Arish Airport in two shipments on October 22 and November 19, 2023.
