The EU will continue funding the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees

The European Commission (EC) announced this Friday that it will pay the Agency of the UN for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) 50 million euros next week (US$54.05 million), and which will increase emergency support for Palestinians by 68 million euros in 2024.

The Commission will thus continue with the planned payments to UNRWA – which it did not suspend – after having assessed the situation in light of the accusations made by Israel on 24 January that several members of UNRWA staff participated in the attacks on October 7, and having taken into account the measures adopted by the UN and the commitments that the Commission required of the agency.

In a statement, the Community Executive welcomes the investigation opened by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services to shed light on these serious accusations, and praised the fact that the UN has created an independent review group led by former French minister Catherine Colonna, to assess whether UNRWA is doing all it can to ensure neutrality and respond to allegations of serious violations.

The Commission also reported that UNRWA is ready to ensure that a review of its personnel is carried out to confirm that they were not involved in the attacks and that new controls are put in place to mitigate those risks in the future.

Furthermore, according to Brussels, the agency has agreed to undergo an audit to be carried out by external experts appointed by the EU and to strengthen its internal investigations and governance department.

Another 32 million, pending compliance with the agreement

The Commission said that today it has confirmed with UNRWA its understanding on these points and that on that basis it will proceed to disburse a first tranche of financing of 50 million euros, of the 82 million planned for 2024.

The second and third tranches, of 16 million euros each, “will be disbursed depending on the application of this agreement”, which provides for the possibility of the Commission suspending or recovering payments in the event that “information” comes to light. credible that indicates significant deficiencies in the operation of the internal control system.”

Outside of support for UNRWA, the Commission said it will allocate an additional €68 million in 2024 to support the Palestinian population across the region, which will be implemented through international partners such as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Brussels had already allocated 125 million euros of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians by 2024.

“Next to the Palestinian people”

“We stand alongside the Palestinian people in Gaza and the rest of the region. “Innocent Palestinians should not have to pay the price for the crimes of the terrorist group Hamas.”indicated the president of the EC, Ursula von der Leyenin the statement.

The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, added that the Commission is already contracting the first €16 million of its humanitarian aid budget for Palestinians in food, medical and non-food items or shelters, as well as education and psychosocial support. for Gaza civilians.