The Cupboard once more commits UNRWA funds for Gaza

The federal government reserves three million euros for UNRWA, the United Nations company to assist Palestinian refugees. The cash is a part of a wider humanitarian help package deal deliberate for Gaza. That is what Minister Schreinemacher (Improvement Cooperation) wrote who was going out to the Home of Representatives.

For the primary time, the federal government is promising cash to the group, which was in disrepute at the start of this yr. To be eligible for fee, UNRWA should nonetheless meet a number of circumstances, the letter to Parliament says.

The Netherlands suspended its contribution to the help group after Israel reported that twelve UNRWA employees have been concerned in an assault by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7 final yr. Different international locations did the identical.

The UN then launched an impartial investigation into the matter, led by former French International Minister Catherine Colonna. They concluded in April that Israel’s allegations weren’t substantiated by proof.

The researchers made fifty suggestions to the group, particularly relating to the neutrality of the staff. The educating supplies utilized in UNRWA colleges additionally needed to be extra impartial, as they have been stated to comprise anti-Semitic texts.

The three million euros will solely be transferred in any case these suggestions have been adopted. Schreinemacher spoke with UNRWA Commissioner Basic Lazzarini on the finish of final month. He advised her that he’s working as quickly as doable to implement the suggestions. The Netherlands will proceed to watch this “intently”, the minister writes.

Lazzarini additionally stated in that dialog that his group solely had cash till the center of June. Lately, there have been calls from varied quarters to renew assist. A part of the Home of Representatives can be pushing for a restart, particularly since UNRWA is among the few organizations nonetheless energetic in Gaza.

The Netherlands by no means turned off the money faucet to UNRWA; the help choice was postponed after the thousands and thousands promised for 2024 had already been transferred.

Along with the three million euros reserved for UNRWA, the federal government supplies one other ten million euros for humanitarian help to Gaza. This cash is split between the World Well being Group (WHO) for medical help, the Worldwide Labor Group (ILO) for financial help and the Crimson Cross for trauma therapy initiatives.

“The Netherlands is dedicated to diversifying help, with a purpose to be much less depending on a single company sooner or later and thus strengthen the broader help system,” the minister wrote to the Home.