PRESS RELEASE
14 October 2009

UNRWA Welcomes USD 1m Donation from India

East Jerusalem, 14 October 2009

The government of India has announced that it will contribute USD 1m to UNRWA’s operations.

The decision was conveyed in a letter to UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Karen AbuZayd, by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor.

‘I thank the Minister of State and the Government of India for their generous donation’, said Abu Zayd. ‘Coming at a time when UNRWA is marking its 60th anniversary, this contribution signals India’s consistent support for Palestine refugees. It will ensure that the Agency is able to continue its crucial work supporting the human development of Palestine refugees.’

In January 2009, India made a special assistance donation of USD 1m to fund relief work in Gaza in response to UNRWA’s flash appeal.

UNRWA provides assistance and protection to Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territory, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. It does so by offering to a population of some 4.7 million refugees a range of human development and humanitarian services in primary and vocational education, primary health care, social safety-net, community support, infrastructure and camp improvement, microfinance and emergency response, including in situations of armed conflict. UNRWA’s role also encompasses advocacy and actions to address the human rights and protection needs of Palestine refugees.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The Agency’s core budget for 2010 and 2011 stands at $1.23billion.

Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972-(0)54-240-2659
Office: +972-(0)2-589-0267

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972-(0)54-216-8295
Office: +972 (0)2-589-0724

- Ends -