AMMAN- UNRWA welcomes a much-anticipated disbursement of EUR 16 million from the European Commission. This payment is the remaining tranche of the EU’s contribution to the Agency for 2024, bringing to EUR 82 million the EU's total assistance to UNRWA’s core budget for this year.  

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said: “this timely contribution will enable the continuation of urgent humanitarian assistance in Gaza and essential services, including education and healthcare, in the region. I am grateful to the EU for its trust in the Agency’s systems and oversight processes and principled commitment to the human development of Palestine Refugees. UNRWA remains fully committed to the humanitarian principles, including neutrality, and we reaffirm our unwavering dedication to these values." 

Despite increased challenges facing its operations and the safety of its staff, UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza. The EU-UNRWA partnership is vital to support millions of Palestine Refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank – including East Jerusalem - Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, where the Agency has activated its emergency response to provide shelter and assistance to those displaced by the ongoing conflict. 

Notes to editors 

• Since 1971, the strategic UNRWA-EU partnership has been based on the shared objective of supporting the human development, humanitarian assistance, and protection of Palestine Refugees.   
• The EU is the largest multilateral provider of international assistance to Palestine Refugees. Collectively, the EU and its Member States are among the largest contributors to the Agency's programme budget, humanitarian emergency appeals and projects. 

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