UNRWA and Türkiye Sign Host Country Agreement

23 June 2024

ISTANBUL – Today, the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) signed an agreement to host an UNRWA office in Türkiye. This agreement, signed on the sidelines of the 51st Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Istanbul, marks a milestone in the relationship between the Agency and Türkiye, and bears testimony to the country’s political and financial support to UNRWA.

Through this Host Country Agreement, the cooperation between UNRWA and the Government of Türkiye is set to grow, allowing the Agency to liaise and build an even stronger partnership with Turkish institutions and the Turkish public.

UNRWA has been providing essential services to Palestine Refugees for decades, including primary healthcare, education, and emergency assistance, in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Türkiye’s consistent support to UNRWA is a translation of its commitment to the rights of Palestine Refugees.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA CG, stated: “Today, I would like to express my appreciation for Türkiye’s strategic decision to host an UNRWA office in Ankara. This new office will enable UNRWA to diversify and expand its political and financial support base. I also commend the Turkish Government for increasing its humanitarian assistance to UNRWA during the war, using a combination of funding to support lifesaving operations and wheat flour to the people of Gaza”.

The Agency expresses its gratitude for the invitation extended to UNRWA as a special guest at the OIC Ministerial Meeting hosted by Türkiye, and for the continued solidarity and support demonstrated by OIC Member States.

Since it became a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission in 1949, Türkiye has been a longstanding supporter and partner of the Agency to serve Palestine Refugees.