Belgium allocates extra four million euros to Palestinian aid

Belgium will allocate an additional budget of €4 million to Palestinian aid. That announced Belgian minister of development cooperation Caroline Gennez during a diplomatic trip to the Palestinian territories.

€3 million of this extra budget goes to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees.

Belgium recently reaffirmed its multi-year support to UNRWA, which constitutes a contribution of €27.5 million over three years – 2024, 2025 and 2026 – to the so-called core funding. €3 million of direct support is now added to that contribution.

"I have clearly seen how important their work is and how great the needs on the ground are," declared minister Gennez, who has been in the region since Wednesday. “UNRWA ensures stability in the region and is committed to supporting hospitals, schools and social protection."

In addition, Belgium is also allocating €1 million to the International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency that has a programme focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza and on employment in the region.

"Belgium is the first country to come on board this programme," Gennez said. "Since 7 October, the Palestinian economy has collapsed by 50 per cent and within the Palestinian territories 500,000 jobs have disappeared. We want to send a signal that we will not abandon the Palestinians and boost the Palestinian economy.”

^{Minister Caroline Gennez pictured during a visit to a UNRWA refugee camp © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM}