DUBLIN, February 7, 2025 (WAFA) – Ireland Friday announced the allocation of €20 million in support to the United Nations Agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).
“Tánaiste Simon Harris has today announced €20 million in support from Ireland for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for its work providing assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestine refugees across the Middle East,” the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement.
“Today’s announcement underscores Ireland’s commitment to ensuring that there is a significant and meaningful surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza at this critical time,” Harris, who serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, stated while stressing that “There is no replacement for the work of UNRWA and it is vital that it is supported.”
He recalled that “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with at least 47,540 people killed and more than 111,000 injured, the majority of whom were women and children.”
Underscoring the Agency’s role in Gaza and beyond, Harris said: “UNRWA delivered more than 60 percent of the supplies that entered Gaza in the first days of the ceasefire. It is the only organisation with the scale to deliver and support the restoration of health, social services, and education for more than 300,000 children in Gaza.”
He voiced his concerns over the Israeli parliament’s law banning the agency, a law which went into effect on January 20, including in the occupied territories (the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem).
“I am gravely concerned about Israeli legislation on UNRWA which entered into force on January 30. I urge Israel to reconsider these measures and encourage other Governments to support UNRWA with funding at this most critical time so that it can deliver for the millions of Palestinian refugees in need.”
K.F.
