Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Harris has today, February 7, announced €20 million in support from Ireland for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for its work providing assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestine refugees across the Middle East.
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic" on Friday, noting that at least 47,540 people have been killed and more than 111,000 injured, the majority of whom were women and children.
The Department said Ireland "warmly welcomed" the hostage release and ceasefire agreement in Gaza and has echoed calls for the return of all hostages to their families.
"It is vital that the hostage release and ceasefire deal be fully implemented in all its phases," the Department said.
Tánaiste @SimonHarrisTD has today announced €20 million in support from Ireland for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for its work providing assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestine refugees across the Middle East.https://t.co/nPW88xyrdz pic.twitter.com/oC0EkuODpr
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) February 7, 2025
Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Friday: “The ceasefire and hostage release deal offers a moment of hope for Palestinians and Israelis.
“Today’s announcement underscores Ireland’s commitment to ensuring that there is a significant and meaningful surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza at this critical time. There is no replacement for the work of UNRWA and it is vital that it is supported."
He continued: “UNRWA delivered more than 60 percent of the supplies that entered Gaza in the first days of the ceasefire. It is the only organisation with the scale to deliver and support the restoration of health, social services, and education for more than 300,000 children in Gaza.
“I am gravely concerned about Israeli legislation on UNRWA which entered into force on January 30. I urge Israel to reconsider these measures and encourage other Governments to support UNRWA with funding at this most critical time so that it can deliver for the millions of Palestinian refugees in need.”
Today I’m announcing an additional €20 million in funding for UNRWA to provide assistance to people in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) February 7, 2025
More details here: https://t.co/v19R4sxSNh pic.twitter.com/iN3pTGenLe
TD Neale Richmond, Ireland's Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, added: “This €20 million in funding for UNWRA, provided in addition to €38 million from Ireland since 2023, will provide vital humanitarian relief to Gaza at this critical time.
“UNRWA has a hugely important role across the Middle East, providing support for 5.9 million Palestine refugees, acting as a force for stability in the region.
“Ireland welcomes the long-awaited humanitarian surge in Gaza and recognises the central role UNRWA plays in the relief operation. UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, providing food and lifesaving services to one million people since the ceasefire.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs added that on January 30, Knesset Bills came into effect with potentially far-reaching consequences for UNRWA’s operations.
"Ireland is a committed supporter of UNRWA’s mandate, providing €38 million to UNRWA’s efforts over 2023 and 2024."
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