The European Union Reaffirms its Support to UNRWA

Today, the European Union in Lebanon reiterated its longstanding commitment to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), a support, as EU Ambassador Christina Lassen pointed out, that is "not only financial, but also political".

At the graduation ceremony of 86 Palestine refugee students who attended university in Lebanon and were recipients of scholarships from the European Union, Ambassador Lassen addressed the extreme difficult situation that the Palestine refugee community is facing following the US decision to withdraw its funding of UNRWA, "a decision that the European Union deeply regrets", she said.

"Already before the US cut its funding, we as the European Union, together with our member states, were the largest donors to Palestinians, Palestine refugees, and to UNRWA, both in the region and here in Lebanon, and I assure you that our support remains clear and firm", indicated Ambassador Lassen.

In 2018, the European Union has contributed EUR 82 million to the operating budget of UNRWA, to provide access to education for 500,000 children, primary health care for more than 3.5 million patients and assistance to over 250,000 vulnerable refugees. Commitments were also made for 2019 and 2020, for the European Union to remain a predictable and reliable partner.

The European Union will continue its assistance to Palestine refugees, including its support to UNRWA activities, while continuing its efforts to reach a negotiated two-state solution and a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.