EU Commission Confirms Third Financial Tranche for UNRWA

BRUSSELS: The European Commission announced on Friday its intention to release the third financial tranche, amounting to pound 16 million (approximately USD 18 million), to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This installment is part of a broader pound 82 million (USD 89 million) allocation earmarked for the agency in 2024, designed to support its ongoing efforts to assist Palestinian refugees. According to Kuwait News Agency, the European Commission has previously disbursed a total of pound 66 million in two separate installments earlier this year. The first tranche, worth pound 50 million, was released on March 7, 2024, while the second, valued at pound 16 million, was distributed on May 31. The financial support provided by the European Commission plays a crucial role in enabling UNRWA to continue its work in the region, which includes providing education, health care, and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees. The European Commission' s commitment underscores its continued support for the agency's mission amid ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian refugees. The funding is expected to facilitate the agency's operations and sustain its programs aimed at improving the living conditions of those it serves.