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

India has contributed $2.5 million to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, for 2024-25.

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

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