Jerusalem: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has announced to continue aid for Palestinians. Even as the United States says it is ending its financial contribution to the agency, UNRWA chief has promised to continue aid for Palestinians despite the financial crisis. It must be noted that 30 per cent of the total budget of UNRWA which comes to $355 million was donated by the US in 2016.
The Trump administration stopped funding to the UNRWA on Friday, calling the organization “irredeemably flawed”. While Israel has welcomed the end to U.S. funding, Pierre Krahenbuhl, commissioner-general of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, said the U.S. decision “will only strengthen our resolve.”
UNRWA provides health care, education and social services to Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The agency provides services to more than 5 million Palestinian refugees, most of whom are descendants of Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the war that led to Israel’s establishment in 1948.