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Written question asked by Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 25 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 April 2024 (named day). It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Monday, 15 April 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

UNRWA: Finance

Question

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether the Government plans to resume funding for UNRWA following the decisions of (a) Canada, (b) Australia, (c) Sweden and (d) Finland to resume their funding for that organisation.

Answer

We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned. We have paused any future funding of UNRWA.

We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it, including through other UN agencies and British charities.

Our decision to pause future funding to UNRWA has no impact on the UK's contribution to the humanitarian response. We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General. We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.

We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion, not least because UNRWA has a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
20201
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Finance UNRWA
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk