Published on
Tánaiste Simon Coveney pledges support to the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney T.D. today pledged an additional €1 million in support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at a virtual Extraordinary Pledging Conference attended by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. The additional funds bring Ireland’s contribution to the agency to €7 million in 2020. UNRWA addresses the humanitarian and development needs of 5.6 million Palestine refugees and provides them with emergency assistance in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Speaking ahead of the meeting the Tánaiste said:
‘Today, more than ever, the global community needs to act together to address the needs of 5.6 million Palestine refugees. Their vulnerabilities are magnified by the current pandemic and its associated economic and social impacts – which could impact on the broader stability of the region.
The humanitarian crises that existed before Covid-19 have not gone away. Having visited the region a number of times in recent years, I have seen first-hand the significant operational challenges and the vital work carried out by the Agency in the field. UNRWA’s provision of essential food, education, health care, relief and social services is now more important than ever.’
Today’s meeting was co-chaired by the Jordanian Minster for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr Ayman Safadi, and the Swedish Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Peter Eriksson. An Tánaiste told the conference Ireland would increase its planned contribution for 2020 by €1 million in recognition of the vulnerability of Palestine refugees to the COVID pandemic and their ongoing insecurity.
The Minister of State for International Development, Ciarán Cannon T.D., added:
“Ireland has been a longstanding supporter of the critical work undertaken by UNRWA with and on behalf of Palestine refugees. Our support at this critical juncture will enable the Agency to redouble its efforts in the face of worsening socioeconomic conditions amongst vulnerable communities.”