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SvennoJ on 19 July 2024
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UK’s new Labour government to resume funding to UNRWA

Britain’s foreign minister, David Lammy, has told parliament he is reassured that the UN Palestinian refugee agency had taken steps to “ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality”.

Britain was one of several countries to halt their funding to UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA following accusations by Israel that some of the agency’s staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war.

“I can confirm to the House that we are overturning the suspension of UNRWA funding, Britain will provide 21 million [pounds, $27m] in funds” to the agency, he said.


How will the UK’s money for UNRWA be spent?

The British government says it is dividing the 21 million pounds ($27m) it will give the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) to help Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere.

The UK will give 6 million pounds ($7.7m) to the agency’s appeal for Gaza and the West Bank, “through which UNRWA is specifically focusing its support to address the most urgent needs”.

“A further 15 million pounds [$19.3m] with be disbursed to UNRWA’s programme budget to provide basic services in the occupied Palestinian territories and wider region,” the government said.

The money will be used to provide emergency food, shelter and other support for three million people, as well as wider work supporting six million Palestinian refugees across the region, it added.

“Humanitarian aid is a moral necessity in the face of such a catastrophe and it is aid agencies who ensure UK support reaches civilians on the ground,” Foreign Minister David Lammy told parliament.

He did not discuss the UK’s ongoing provision of arms to Israel.


UNRWA chief welcomes restored British funding at ‘critical time’

The head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has welcomed the new British government’s decision to restore funding as a “testament to the lifesaving and human development work of our teams”.

Philippe Lazzarini said that the agency is fully committed to implement recommendations by an independent report to increase its transparency and accountability and further ensure neutrality.

“This announcement comes at a critical time as the agency continues to come under harsh and unprecedented attacks,” he said.

European Commission pledges $435m to Palestinian Authority

The executive branch of the European Union says it will give 400 million euros ($435m) in grants and loans to the Palestinian Authority in three payments between July and September as it pursues reforms.

The European Commission emphasised that the funding will be “subject to progress in the implementation of the reform agenda” of the Palestinian organisation and progress towards “agreed-upon reform milestones”.

“Funding from other donors will also be needed,” it said, adding that it proposes setting up a Palestinian donor coordination platform as of autumn 2024, until the end of 2026.

“The Commission will present a legislative proposal for this programme in early September, so that payments may start before the end of the year, provided the conditions are met,” it said, adding that the programme should help the PA reach “budgetary equilibrium” by 2026 and ensure its long-term financial stability thereafter.

“Together, we are laying the groundwork for economic and political stability in the West Bank. And we are setting the foundations for the reconstruction of Gaza. We need an immediate and enduring ceasefire. And we must prepare for the day after,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.