BRUSSELS: The Belgian government has released 18.75 million euros (20.80 million U.S. dollars) for UNRWA, the United Nations agency responsible for the aiding of Palestinian refugees, local media reported Wednesday.
The money applies to the 2015-2017 period and will assist the organization in health care, teaching, relief and social services.
This is the first multi-year contribution from Belgium to UNWRA. We are deeply grateful to Belgium, a longstanding partner of UNRWA, for the contribution. In an extremely challenging environment, it will allow us to continue providing core human development and emergency relief to vulnerable Palestine refugees,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Kraehenbuehl said in a statement.
Such support allows us to keep our schools open and hospitals running for communities who may otherwise find themselves unable to access these essential services,” Kraehenbuehl added.