Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the long-term viability of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees.
Answered by Alistair Burt
Following US cuts in 2018, the international community was able to step up and meet the shortfall to UNRWA’s budget, allowing it to continue to provide essential basic services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. However, we recognise that these refugee populations need UNRWA to be on a more secure financial footing. To that end, the UK is working with UNRWA and other donors to help ensure its sustainability. This includes finding further cost savings reforms, diversifying donor income, and encouraging multi-year funding commitments. The UK is a leading donor to UNRWA and we plan to provide up to £80m to UNRWA overall over the next two years. However, a long-term solution requires a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for Palestinian refugees. Until that happens the UK remains firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees.