Belgium has stepped in to help out the U.N. Agency assisting Palestinian refugees UNRWA with an immediate disbursement of $23 million after the U.S. administration suspended $65 million in aid for the international organization.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Wednesday that “for many Palestinian refugees the UNRWA is the last life buoy.”
De Croo said he was responding to a global fundraising appeal from UNRWA in hopes of making up for funding cuts announced by the United States.
The 19 million Euros is Belgium’s allocation for three years but because of the group’s immediate need De Croo’s office said it will be “disbursed immediately.”
The Trump administration on Tuesday cut tens of millions of dollars in money for Palestinian refugees demanding that the U.N. agency undertake a “fundamental re-examination” the State Department said.
Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programs for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950.
The Agency’s services encompass education health care relief and social services camp infrastructure and improvement microfinance and emergency assistance including in times of armed conflict. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.
