27/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – On 27 July, an EU spokesperson stated that it was “crucial” that UNRWA “is able to continue to play its role”. On Wednesday 25 July, the agency announced that it was going to make 250 people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank redundant, due to the reduction in US aid (see EUROPE 12070). A spokesperson explained to EUROPE that “in Gaza, where the humanitarian and economic situation is already very precarious, UNRWA employs more than 13,000 people… The EU will continue to take diplomatic action to enable the agency to pursue its activities”. According to the spokesperson, the EU will continue to support the agency's activities at the same level as in the past and help it to reform, so that it can provide a more solid and sustainable financial basis and mobilise international donors, in an effort to reabsorb its financial deficit quicker. The EU will contribute €106 million to the UNRWA budget for 2018. (CG)