Current Affairs-Topics

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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