Brussels, 26/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 January in Gaza, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and the commissioner general for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Filippo Grandi, signed a financial agreement worth €55.4 million for the general UNRWA fund.
The EU contribution is the biggest single donation to the office's central budget and will help fund activities in education, health, rescue and social services, as well as improvements in the Palestinian refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Ashton explained: “The continued EU support to UNRWA is an essential element of the EU strategy to bring peace and stability to the region.” She also said that the contribution “represents our ongoing commitment to Palestine refugees”.
Grandi added: “The concrete, substantial impact of this contribution is even more significant as it happens at a time when millions in the region are calling for better lives and more opportunities.” (CG/transl.fl)