Stephen pleased THAT the UK Government HAS re-instateD funding for unrwa
Last Friday, 19 July, the UK Government re-instated funding for United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This came after the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this month and directly urged the Israeli Prime Minister to institute an immediate ceasefire.
Photo by Joel Muniz | @jmuniz via Unsplash
The UK Government suspended funding to UNRWA in January after reports that UNRWA staff were involved in attacks on Israel on 7 October. UNRWA is the largest aid agency in Gaza, employing 13,000 people in the region, and provides healthcare, housing, and financial assistance to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Stephen urged the Government to resume funding several times. In February, Stephen pointed out the catastrophic consequences of stopping funding to UNRWA amidst a humanitarian crisis, saying “having a hobbled UNRWA is undoubtedly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.” Stephen also wrote to Lord Cameron, then Foreign Secretary, and the Israeli Ambassador after multiple reports showed that UNRWA regularly sent lists of staff to Israel for vetting.
Stephen is, therefore, delighted that the new Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, re-instated the UK’s funding of UNRWA. The decision follows visits by David Lammy to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel, where he met with President Abbas and directly urged the Israeli Prime Minister to institute an immediate ceasefire.
“I am delighted that the UK Government has begun funding UNRWA again,” Stephen said. “UNRWA’s support is vital to millions of Palestinians, and over 90% of its funding comes from contributions by UN member states. Funding UNRWA is one of the most important ways we can help those affected by the conflict in Gaza.”