MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Today I attended the high-level event at the United Nations General Assembly to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Established by resolution of the United Nations in 1949, the Agency provides humanitarian assistance and health, education and welfare services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. It is now assisting over 4.6 million refugees.
Successive Australian governments have consistently supported UNRWA's operations. This year, Australia's annual contribution to the UNRWA's operational budget will increase by 20 per cent to over $5 million.
Australia has also responded generously to UNRWA's emergency appeals.
Last year, the Australian Government provided $8 million for job creation in the West Bank, demining and reconstruction activities in Nahr El-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon, and food aid in Gaza.
Since 2007, Australia has provided more than $75 million in development and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people through UNRWA, other UN agencies, Australian and international non-government organisations and the World Bank.