India Provides US$ 2.5 Million to UNRWA for Welfare of Palestinian Refugees

Government of India released US$2.5 million to the ‘United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’ (UNRWA), as part of its annual contribution of US$5 million for the year 2023-24, to support the UNRWA's core programs and services, including education, healthcare, relief and social services provided to Palestinian refugees. The contribution was handed over by the Representative of India to the State of Palestine, Ms Renu Yadav, to the Director of Partnerships, Department of External Relations of UNRWA, Mr Karim Amer, on 20 November 2023.

2. The contribution underlines Government of India's continued support for the UNRWA's activities in the region and the services it provides to Palestinian refugees. India increased its annual contribution to UNRWA from US$ 1.25 million to US$ 5 million in 2018. Since 2002, India has contributed a total of US$ 36.5 million to UNRWA till 2022-23. India has also been providing various forms of economic assistance to Palestine amounting to approximately US$ 141.2 million, including developmental assistance worth US$ 70.6 million and US$ 39 million budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority. India’s major development assistance projects include a Techno-park, 3 schools, a Women Empowerment Centre, National Printing Press, 2 ICT Centres, 2 VTCs and several Quick Impact Projects.

3. India has delivered 70 tons of humanitarian aid for Gaza so far to Egyptian Red Crescent at El Arish Airport, in two tranches on 22 October and 19 November 2023.