Jerusalem: The Indian political leadership actively supported the Palestinian cause since independence era. Once again India proved its empathy towards Palestinian. It contributed USD one million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East on Wednesday. The contribution was made to support Palestinian refugees facing extreme challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has expressed their gratitude towards India and thanked for its “timely help”. Sami Mshasha, Director of Communications at UNRWA said, “This contribution is even more important as it comes at a critical time”. The Government of India handed over the contribution cheque through its representative in Palestine, Sunil Kumar.
Sami Mshasha further added, “India is already trembling due to pandemic but still never forgot to Palestinian refugees. India has stepped in to help stabilize basic services, including education, health care, relief and social services for Palestinian refugees. I highly appreciate and thank the Government of India for lending support to UNRWA and its backing of Palestine refugees across the Middle East”.
On June 23 2020, during an Extraordinary Virtual Ministerial Pledging Conference for UNRWA, Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, had promised India will contribute USD 10 million over the next two years. Earlier, in 2016 India contributed USD 1.25 million to UNRWA. Thereafter it increased its annual financial contribution to UNRWA to USD 5 million in 2018 and 2019. For year 2020, India has contributed a total to USD three million so far, It contributed USD 2 million to the agency in May 2020 and another 1 million on 14 October.
The UNRWA is struggling to fulfill basic needs of the overwhelming majority of the 5.6 million refugees living under the poverty line as it has been facing a huge budgetary deficit due to an ongoing pandemic that has broken the backbone of the basic infrastructure in the area they live in.