On Monday, the Netherlands decided to resume funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East ( UNRWA ).
This came, according to a statement issued by "UNRWA" today, and the following is the text of it, as stated on its official website:
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of its decision to resume funding for the agency, after it temporarily suspended a planned donation on 31 July in the amount of € 13 million as a result of an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services United Nations on management issues in UNRWA.
UNRWA Donor Relations Head Mark Lasaway expressed thanks for the move, saying: "We welcome the decision of the Netherlands to release funds that will help UNRWA in a difficult exceptional period of its life," adding that "the amount that we will receive will help the Agency to continue providing critical humanitarian services and operations." For the remainder of 2019 in the areas of health care, education and social services in the other five areas of operation. "
This decision, which follows the disbursement by a number of donors of its donations, comes at a time when UNRWA greatly needs money to continue the services, and is in response to measures the Agency has committed to implement to improve its management.
The multi-year agreement covers the period 2019-2021, and it promises to make unearmarked annual contributions of $ 13 million to support the agency´s program budget. The Netherlands is also generously adding six million euros for 2019, which brings the total value of Dutch funding for UNRWA to the main budget in 2019 to 19 million euros.
“We are very grateful to the Netherlands for its unwavering and steadfast support for UNRWA, including the role it plays as an active member and participant in the Agency’s Advisory Committee. This latest decision is a welcome expression of the renewed confidence in the Agency and its services in supporting 5.5 million of Palestine in the Middle East. "
