EU to release $54M for UN agency for Palestinian refugees next week

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The European Commission on Friday announced that it will "proceed to paying" €50 million ($54.1 million) to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) next week.

The second and third tranches of €16 million will be released later, a commission statement said.

"Beyond its support to UNRWA, the Commission remains fully committed to addressing the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza but also more widely in the region," it said, adding: "For this purpose, it will allocate an additional €68 million for in 2024."

The additional payment will bring the total amount to €150 million, the statement said.

“Furthermore, the Commission has allocated €125 million of humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024. The Commission is contracting the first €16 million today,” it added.

Several countries suspended their funding to UNRWA in January following Israeli accusations that 12 of the agency's thousands of employees took part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The agency is investigating the claims, but has warned cutting off funding risks a catastrophe.