UNRWA receives new funding pledges from France and Germany

Ahmed Abu Houli, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Department of Refugee Affairs, welcomed the outcomes of a ministerial-level donor conference for UNRWA held in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly. The conference was co-chaired by Jordan, Spain, and Brazil.

Abu Houli praised the financial commitments from France and Germany, noting that France pledged 15 million euros and Germany pledged an additional 20 million euros. The German contribution includes 10 million euros for infrastructure rehabilitation and 10 million euros to support humanitarian operations in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.

He emphasized that international affirmations to protect UNRWA’s mandate and reject its replacement serve as a political message against attempts to undermine the agency and the Palestinian refugee cause. Abu Houli called on donor nations to translate political stances into immediate financial commitments to address the agency's estimated 100 million dollar deficit and ensure the continuity of essential services such as education, health, and relief.