New Delhi: Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, India on Monday released the first tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), fulfilling its annual commitment of 5 million US dollars for the year 2024-25. UNRWA, functional since 1950, carries out direct relief and works programmes for registered Palestinian refugees. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states.
The UN agency is struggling to keep up its functioning in the middle of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and had appreciated and welcomed India's "generous contribution" last month coming at a difficult time, particularly in Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza are bearing the brunt of the terrible conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has been ruling the Gaza Strip since 2007 since the October 7 attack by the organization on Israel, prompting it to pound the territory to its southwest with continued air and ground strikes.
India's support is meant to help the agency's core programmes and services, including education, healthcare, relief and social services provided to Palestinian refugees. The second tranche of the contribution was handed over to UNRWA by Charge deAffaires Elizabeth Rodrigues, a press statement from the Representative Office of India in Palestine said. New Delhi has underlined its continued support for the agency's activities in the region and the services it provides to the Palestinian Refugees.
Earlier on November 19, India had delivered 32 tonnes of "humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine" via the El-Arish Airport in Egypt. Since 2018, India has given USD 30 million to UNRWA.
(With inputs from agency)
