The European Union (EU) has announced it mobilized €20 million additional financial assistance in support of the work of UNRWA and €73.3 million to improve the living conditions for the Palestinian people in east Jerusalem and to foster economic development in the occupied Palestinian territory.
“The funding provided to UNRWA supports the Agency’s efforts to ensure the provision of essential services to vulnerable Palestine refugees in the Middle East” a press release issued on Thursday by the European Commission said.
“This will bring the EU’s total contributions to UNRWA in 2018 to €153 million. Moreover the EU made available an additional €73.3 million to support living conditions in east Jerusalem and strengthen resilience of Palestinians as well as to promote economic development in all of the occupied Palestinian territory. This brings the EU support to Palestinians to a total of €350 million.”
Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said: “We are confirming our strong commitment to support Palestinians. The EU additional financial support to UNRWA which is a factor of stability in the region will allow the agency to continue to provide essential services to vulnerable Palestine refugees.”
“In parallel the EU is working with the agency to intensify fundamental reforms and tackle its recurrent financial deficit. In addition we are investing in socio-economic development including by moving ahead on the critical project ‘Gaza Central Desalination Plant’ and improving living conditions in east Jerusalem” Hahn added.
