LOC20:05
17:05 GMT
(with photos)
BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- The Commissioner-General of UNRWA (United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)
Filippo Grandi held talks Friday with EU institutions in Brussels and
Strasbourg on the recent developments and challenges faced by UNRWA and the
continuing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank, Gaza, and parts of Lebanon.
Speaking in a press conference here Friday afternoon at the end of his
4-day visit , Grandi said he also explored with EU officials - including
foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - a more strategic outlook for the
support to Palestine refugees , how to enhance the EU-UNRWA partnership and a
three-year finance agreement for the UN agency.
He noted that the EU provides 66 million euro per year to the core budget
of UNRWA which goes to education, health and alleviation of poverty and
Grandi has called on the EU to raise this amount.
"I hope it will reach 80 million euro," he added.
In addition , the EU also gives 15-20 mn euro in humanitarian aid and
another 15 mn euro in special programme for the poorest Palestinian refugees.
"The EU remains the largest contributor to UNRWA. EU member states'
contribution last year covered 62 percent of all contributions to UNRWA," he
stated.
Grandi said there is a shortfall of about 50 million euros in UNRWA's
budget this year and the EU has provided an additional amount of 20 million
euros to cover this.
Turning to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, he said it continues to
be difficult.
In June, Israel eased its blockade on Gaza allowing mainly consumer goods
to come in, but restrictions on building materials continue.
Israel eased its siege on Gaza following an international outcry after
Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish peace activists on a humanitarian aid
flotilla in international waters in May.
The UN official said Israel argues that the blockade on Gaza is necessary
for its security, but added that the "harshness of the blockade is not good
for the security of Israel as it pushes the Palestinian population to anger
and frustration." (end)
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