Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has made representations on replacing the United Nations Relief and Work Agency with a new body working under the rules of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and if he will make a statement.
We have not made representations on this matter. The UK recognises the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) unique mandate from the UN General Assembly, to protect and provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. UNRWA is also a vital humanitarian and stabilising force in the region and the UK remains firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. However, we recognise that UNRWA needs to be on a more secure financial footing, to ensure that Palestinian refugees' basic needs are met. To that end, the UK is working with UNRWA and other donors to help ensure its sustainability. This includes finding further cost savings, broadening UNRWA's donor base, and encouraging multi-year funding.