Today, the Government of India contributed $2 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in support of the Agency’s programs and services, including education, health care, relief and social services for Palestine refugees.
The contribution was presented to UNRWA by Representative of India to State of Palestine Sunil Kumar. With this contribution, India provided a total of $5 million to the Agency in 2020.
Reiterating the Government of India’s continued support for UNRWA services, Kumar stated: “On behalf of the Government of India, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the remarkable efforts carried out by UNRWA. India shall continue supporting the Agency’s activities in providing vital services and necessary humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.”
Tamara Alrifai, Acting Director of Department of External Relations of UNRWA, said: “This generous contribution in support of Palestine refugees at this critical moment is very much appreciated. On behalf of UNRWA, I would like to thank the Government of India for its continued funding to the Agency and its backing of Palestine refugees across the Middle East.”
During the Extraordinary Virtual Ministerial Pledging Conference for UNRWA held on 23 June 2020, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, announced that India will contribute $10 million to UNRWA over the next two years in 2021 and 2022.
It is worth noting that India has increased its annual financial contribution to UNRWA from $1.25 million in 2017 to $5 million in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
