The Government of India contributed on Friday US$ 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of the Agency’s programmes and services, including education, health care, relief and social services for Palestine refugees.

The contribution was presented to UNRWA by Sunil Kumar, Director of the West Asia and North Africa Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Karim Amer, Director of Partnerships of the Department of External Relations of UNRWA, said: “This timely contribution is a strong demonstration of India’s unwavering support to the work of UNRWA and commitment to the wellbeing for Palestine refugees.”

The Government of India has given US$ 20 million in support of core UNRWA services to Palestine refugees across the Middle East since 2018.

UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA programme budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall.