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Written question asked by Claudia Webbe (Independent (affiliation)) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 February 2024. It was answered by Leo Docherty (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 February 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

UNRWA: Finance

Question

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of some countries pausing funding to the UN relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east (UNRWA) on the humanitarian response in Gaza.

Answer

The UK is appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. The UK is pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations. Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point. Further questions on the investigation are a matter for the UN.

However, we remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it. Our commitment to trebling aid to Gaza still stands. The UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
12185
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Finance Humanitarian aid Gaza UNRWA
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk