The UK is supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency for
Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to help educate 500,000 children and
provide health services for 3 million Palestinian refugees,
including those affected by the brutal conflict in Syria.
Speaking at the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference on UNRWA in
Rome today (Thursday 15 March), Middle East Minister highlighted the UK’s
continuing commitment to supporting Palestinian refugees and
called on other countries to do more to alleviate some of the
current pressures the agency is facing. He welcomed reform
efforts to date and encouraged UNRWA to continue the pace of
cost-efficiency reform.
Mr. Burt confirmed that the UK will deliver its next round of
financial support earlier than originally planned, to help meet
the growing needs of Palestinian refugees across the region.
Minister Burt said:
The UK is unequivocally committed to supporting vulnerable
Palestinian refugees by assisting in the provision of education
and healthcare across the region which is a key part of our
resolve to promote a two-state solution. UNRWA plays a unique
and critical role in supporting regional stability, and it’s
absolutely right that Global Britain supports the
sustainability of its services.
Today I’m calling on others to follow our lead to make sure
that UNRWA’s humanitarian and stabilising role continues
uninterrupted. This is not just important for those
Palestinians in need of aid, but also to maintain stability
across the region which is in all of our interests.
Notes to Editors
- Over the course of the 2017/2018 financial year, the UK has
provided around £50 million to UNRWA to support the agency’s
delivery of food, education and healthcare to vulnerable
Palestinians across the Middle East. This makes us one of the top
five donors.
- The UK will provide at least £28 million to UNRWA next
financial year, as previously outlined in our multi-year
commitment to 2021.
