Twenty Nations Pledge $100 Million Towards Palestine Refugee Agency, India Pledges $5 Million

A group of 20 nations including India have pledged a total of around $100 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the arm of the United Nations meant to look after Palestinian refugees, reports PTI.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced his gratitude for the pledged amount that was made at the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference in Rome on 15 March 15 titled 'Preserving Dignity and Sharing Responsibility Mobilising Collective Action for UNRWA'.

The donor nations included Qatar, Norway, Turkey, Canada, India and Switzerland. Among them, the Emir of the Qatar pledged $50 million in fresh contributions, while Norway pledged $13.6 million, Turkey $10 million and a doubling of their food aid, and Canada pledged $7.7 million. India has pledged $5 million and Switzerland hs pledged $4.2 million.

"The Secretary-General encourages all Member States and the private sector to provide support to UNRWA in order to close the still critical funding shortfall. He reiterates that the services provided by UNRWA to Palestine refugees are essential and contribute to bring stability to the region”, said a spokesperson for the agency.