The European Union (EU) on Monday reaffirmed its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), saying the Agency plays a vital role in the region.

“We have seen the reports of the changes done at the management of UNRWA to address the necessary concerns and we are in contact with all the other partners, contributors and donors”, EU spokesperson for foreign and security policy, Peter Stano, told a news conference.

“We haven’t suspended anything (to UNRWA) and we continue to work with UNRWA because this is a very important agency which provides very important work on the ground and takes care of the Palestinian refugees”, he added.

The European Union has supported UNRWA in the provision of core services to more than 5 million Palestine refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza. The partnership between the EU and UNRWA has allowed millions of Palestine refugees to be better educated, live healthier lives, access employment opportunities and improve their living conditions, thus contributing to the development of the entire region.

In 2019, the Agency was extremely grateful to receive a contribution of EUR 82 million from the EU in support of critical human development work UNRWA provides in the region at an extremely difficult time for Palestine refugees.