20/4/2007
European Union Increases Contribution To UN Agency For Palestinian Refugees

The European Union and the United Nations agency tasked with helping Palestinian refugees this week signed an agreement paving the way for the EU to contribute €66 million to help pay salaries for teachers, doctors, social workers and others as part of the relief effort.

The agreement means essential services to Palestinians can be maintained

This week’s signing, at Qalandia camp in the West Bank, is the first instalment of a four-year deal in which the EU has promised to give UNRWA €264 million by 2010. This year’s amount represents an increase of more than €1.5 million over 2006.

Filippo Grandi, Deputy Commissioner of UNRWA, thanked the EU for its contribution and for its ongoing support of the agency.

“The past year has been a period of great need throughout the Palestine refugee community, and the support you have shown today is a symbol of your interest and concern,” Mr. Grandi said.

Created in 1949, UNRWA provides education, health care, social services and emergency aid to an estimated 4.4 million Palestinians living in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.