India has increased its annual financial contribution to UNRWA from US$ 1.25 million in 2017 to US$ 2 million in 2020

India has contributed US $1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East who have been facing tough times amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Calling it a “timely contribution” UNRWA officials appreciated India’s contribution on Wednesday.

“Government of India contributed US$ 1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in support of Agency’s programs and services, including education, health care, relief, and social services,” the official twitter account of the Representative office of India to the State of Palestine said.



The financial aid was presented to UNRWA by Representative of India to the State of Palestine Sunil Kumar.

“On behalf of the Government of India, I would like to express my appreciation for the remarkable efforts carried out by UNRWA. India shall continue supporting the Agency’s activities in providing vital services and necessary humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees,” Kumar said reiterating the government of India’s support for West Asia.

On receiving the contribution, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of External Relations and Communication and Director of Communication of UNRWA Sami Mshasha thanked the Indian government and welcomed the step.

“This timely contribution in support of Palestine refugees is crucial and much appreciated. On behalf of UNRWA, I would like to thank the Government of India for its continued funding to the Agency and its backing of Palestine refugees across the Middle East,” he said.

During the Extraordinary Virtual Ministerial Pledging Conference for UNRWA held on 23 June 2020, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan had announced that India will contribute US$ 10 million to UNRWA over the next two years.

It is worth noting that India has increased its annual financial contribution to UNRWA from US$ 1.25 million in 2017 to US$ 5 million in 2018 and 2019, and in May 2020, India contributed US$ 2 million, which brought its total contribution for 2020 to US$ 3 million.

India and Palestine share a friendship that dates back to the pre-independence era. India has always played a pro-active role in garnering support for Palestine's cause in a multilateral forum.

Under an India-Palestine development partnership, India is currently funding eight on-going developmental projects worth 59 million US dollars, including building a 215 Bed Super Specialty Hospital in Bethlehem, Information Technology Park, National Printing Press, Turathi-Women Empowerment Project, Diplomatic Training Institute, and three schools in various governorates in Palestinian Territories.