OSLO, Tuesday, April 23, 2024 (WAFA) – Norway, as chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the international donor group for Palestine, called on countries that have paused payments to UNRWA to resume their funding.

In a statement, Norway's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, welcomed the findings of an independent review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

"I welcome the report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry, chaired by former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, on UNRWA's handling of neutrality issues," said Minister Eide.

"I am pleased that the report underlines that UNRWA has good procedures in place to ensure neutrality, and that the organization works in line with humanitarian principles," he added.

"I am very pleased that countries such as Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan and Sweden have rescinded their decisions and resumed funding to UNRWA," said Eide in a statement, urging donors who have suspended their contributions to the UN relief Agency to resume their funding.

Norway is one of the few major donors that maintained its funding to UNRWA despite allegations made by Israel against the UN Agency.

UNRWA is the lifeline for the 2.3 million inhabitants of Gaza, who have been living under brutal aggression and destruction for more than six months.

A.D./T.R.