UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from its international partners.
One of UNRWA’s main partners, enabling it to provide crucial services to the Palestinians, is the European Union (EU). The EU is the largest multilateral provider of international assistance to Palestine refugees, and has provided more than EUR 1 billion of support to the Agency since 2000. Last year alone, the EU contributed EUR 171 in support of UNRWA’s work.
UNRWA and ECHO
UNRWA has a special partnership with the EU through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department, otherwise known as ECHO. Since 1992, ECHO has funded relief to millions of victims of both natural disasters and man-made crises outside the EU. Aid is channeled impartially, straight to victims, regardless of their race, religion and political beliefs.
From 2000 until the end of this year, ECHO will have provided over EUR 212 million in aid to Palestine refugees through UNRWA, financing not only humanitarian aid projects, but also human development programmes that allow refugees to achieve their full potential through access to health care, education, and a range of social services.
In 2011 alone, ECHO contributed more than EUR 11.9 million to UNRWA emergency programmes in the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as a further EUR 2.4 million for projects in support of Palestine refugees in Lebanon.
ECHO is also the biggest donor to UNRWA’s job creation programme in the West Bank. To find out more, read the programme’s factsheet (PDF).
For more information about ECHO’s assistance to the Palestinians and its humanitarian aid worldwide, visit the ECHO website.
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