UN agency praises India after $5 million contribution towards Palestine refugees

A day after New Delhi gave the UN agency its second tranche of USD 2.5 million, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday that India’s “generous gesture” will enable the UN agency to continue providing life-saving assistance to Palestinian refugees.

Operating since 1950, UNRWA provides direct assistance and employment opportunities for officially recognised Palestinian refugees.

“As we reach the end of a very difficult year in the region, UNRWA is grateful for the support of partners who continue to stand by Palestine Refugees,” Tamara Alrifai, a spokesperson for UNRWA told PTI.

“The latest generous gesture by India will help the Agency continue its lifesaving services towards Palestine Refugees,” she added.

India’s Charge d’Affaires in Ramallah, Elizabeth Rodrigues, delivered the second tranche of USD 2.5 million to UNRWA amid the fierce conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This fulfilled India’s yearly promise of $5 million US dollars for the year 2023–2024.

Nearly all of UNRWA’s funding comes from voluntarily donated funds from UN member nations.

About a month before, in November, the Indian government had released the first installment of its yearly commitment.

The organisation is having difficulty continuing to operate in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, and because of the challenging circumstances in the area, especially in Gaza, it also welcomed and appreciated India’s “generous contribution” last month.

The horrible confrontation between Israel and Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, is mostly affecting Palestinians living in Gaza.

The Jewish State declared an all-out war on the Islamist group after Hamas’ heinous attack on Israel on October 7. Since then, it has continued to bomb the region to the southwest with air and infantry operations.

India’s contribution is intended to support the UN agency’s primary services and initiatives, which include the social services, healthcare, education, and relief offered to Palestinian refugees.

Delhi has emphasised that it will keep funding the organization’s operations in the area and the assistance it offers to Palestinian refugees.

Additionally, 32 tonnes of “humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine” had been sent by India earlier on November 19 via the El-Arish Airport in Egypt.

India has donated USD 30 million to UNRWA since 2018.

Around 2.3 million people live in Gaza, but since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and Israel retaliated, more than two thirds of the population has left their homes and moved south.

For hundreds of thousands of people living in shelters, the UNRWA has been struggling to deliver basic services.

Prior to the Gaza War, UNRWA was dealing with a rise in service requests as a result of an increase in the number of officially registered Palestinian refugees, the severity of their vulnerability, and their increasing poverty. Approximately 5.6 million Palestine refugees are registered with the organisation, and it is its duty to safeguard and support them throughout its five operational domains.

(With agency inputs)