Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Monday, 19 April 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 May 2021. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 April 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Palestinians: Refugees

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they are providing in the current financial year to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees; and whether they will publicise the needs of Palestinian refugees in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Answer: The UK is a longstanding supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We are clear that a fair settlement for Palestinian refugees must be agreed as part of a wider negotiated peace settlement. Until that time, the UK remains firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. In Financial Year 2020/2021, the UK provided £63.6m to UNRWA, which includes £7m to the Syria Emergency Appeal and £3.8m to the OPTs Emergency Appeal. Decisions on UK aid to UNRWA in Financial Year 2021/2022 are currently being considered in the context of a temporary overall reduction in Overseas Development Assistance, as announced by the Foreign Secretary on 26 November.

Secondary information