Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of refugees who will be affected by the decision of the government of the United States to withdraw funding for the UN Relief Works Agency; and what specific services and aid they expect will be affected.

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) provides essential services to over 5 million Palestinian refugees across the region. My officials are working closely with UNRWA, the United States and other European Union partners to understand risks to UNRWA’s sustainability and how to maintain continuity of key services such as education and health for Palestinian refugees. The UK is concerned at the impact on UNRWA’s activities whenever unexpected reductions or delays in predicted donor disbursements occur and are liaising with UNRWA on their plans for service continuity. UNRWA has publically stated their determination to continue services in all their fields of operations.