Shoukry Calls for Sustainable Financing to UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on Tuesday for sustainable financing for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) programs to enable the agency to serve the Palestinian refugees.

Shoukry made his call in a video conference meeting of The International Ministerial Conference on UNRWA that was held in Brussels at the request of Jordan and Sweden.

Shoukry called on the international community and the major donors to continue their contribution to the organization, asserting Egypt's full support to UNRWA.

UNRWA was founded in 1949 by the United Nations to help and provide services to Palestinian refugees, including education and healthcare, following the 1948 Nakba.

The agency provides social and economic relief to 5.7 million Palestinian refugees worldwide.

UNRWA faced a financial crisis when former US President Donald Trump blocked almost all aid to Palestinians, including through the UNRWA, in 2018.

In April, the Biden administration issued a decision to reverse Trump's decision to restore economic, developmental, and humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, including funding for UNRWA.

The top Egyptian diplomat also stressed the importance of reviving the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis in order to achieve the Palestinians' aspirations for an independent state.

Shoukry expressed his appreciation of Jordan and Sweden for calling and co-chairing the conference; to Belgium for hosting the meeting; and to the UNRWA for its continued effort to support the Palestinian refugees.