Addressing an Extraordinary Virtual Ministerial Pledging Conference for UNRWA, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan announced that India will contribute USD 10 million to United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in next two years.
Capacity enhancement through training and building durable institutions is a major plank of our developmental assistance to Palestine. Muraleedharan said, when some certain countries withdrew funding, India stepped up its annual pledge from 1.25 million USD to 5 million USD in 2018. This year India has already disbursed two million dollars and will soon release balance three million dollars.
250 annual scholarships are provided to Palestinian youth and officials apart from regular planned training programs.The current project grant is around 72 million dollars. He said “India appreciates the support and untiring work of host countries, donors, and UNRWA to ensure millions of our Palestinian brothers and sisters who went homeless lead a life of honor”.
He said as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to haunt the lives of people across the world, resulting in the governments to push for their healthcare socio-economic needs of the people, and realizing the capacities to help others in every possible way. Victory over this crisis needs a collective and focussed action. Despite the increase in need in domestic demand for medical supplies amidst rising cases, India is assisting countries in critical needs.