CANBERRA, Friday, March 15, 2024 (WAFA) – Australia is reinstating funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) amid concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while calling on the Israeli occupation to allow lifesaving supplies into the besieged territory right away.

Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, announced the decision to unfreeze $6m in emergency funding for UNRWA on Friday, as part of a broader package of support.

Wong also announced that Australia would support airdrops by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to Palestinians on the verge of famine in northern Gaza. She said a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster is scheduled to deliver 140 aerial delivery parachutes.

Australia was among more than a dozen donor countries to suspend funding to UNRWA in late January, after the Israeli government alleged that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the 7 October attack.

Friday’s decision to reinstate funding follows similar moves by Canada, Sweden and the European Union.

M.N