India's $2.5M Aid to UNRWA: Supporting Palestinian Refugees

India's Financial Contribution to UNRWA

• India released $2.5 million Aid as the first tranche of its annual $5 million till 2023-24
• Supports education, healthcare, relief, and social services for Palestinian refugees
• Announced additional medical aid at recent UNRWA Pledging Conference in New York
• Reiterated call for safe, timely, and sustained humanitarian assistance to Palestinians
• India's commitment to peaceful resolution of the Palestine question
• Supports negotiated "two-state solution" for sovereign, independent Palestine at peace with Israel

UNRWA: Role and Challenges

• Full name: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
• Established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees
• Provides direct relief and works programmes since 1950
• Funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member countries
• Services include education, healthcare, relief, social services, camp infrastructure, protection, and microfinance
• Operates in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and Gaza Strip
• Headquarters: Amman (Jordan) and Gaza Strip
• Currently struggling to maintain operations amid Israel-Hamas war in Gaza

Palestinian Refugee Crisis: Historical Context

• Palestinian refugees: Persons and descendants who lost homes and were exiled from Palestine in 1948 conflict
• Roots in UN resolution (29 November 1947) to divide Palestine into Israel and Palestine
• Israel's declaration of independence (14 May 1948) led to war with Arab countries
• Israel captured 77% of territory earmarked for Palestinian state
• Over half of Arab Palestinian population expelled or fled
• 1967 Arab-Israeli war: Israel captured Gaza Strip and West Bank, creating more refugees
• Ongoing conflict and displacement have led to a protracted refugee situation

Current Situation in Gaza

• Health Ministry in Gaza reports at least 38,664 people killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war
• 80 new deaths reported in 24 hours (as of the report date)
• 89,097 people wounded since the war began on October 7, 2023
• Recent Israeli air strike on a school in central Gaza killed 22 people (updated toll)
• Ongoing humanitarian crisis with urgent need for aid and support