2 April 2009
The government of Denmark has announced that it will increase its contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency by 20 million DKK (US$ 3.5 million). The contribution, which underlines Denmark’s role as a leading supporter of UNRWA, was announced on the 2nd of March by the Danish Foreign Minister at the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza donor conference, and confirmed on the 6th of April 2009.
Half of the donation (10 million DKK) will be used for activities under UNRWA’s Quick Response Plan for Gaza (QRP). Denmark provides this contribution as “un-earmarked”, in recognition of the importance of flexibility for the implementation of UNRWA’s response to emergency needs. This is the second contribution from the Danish government to the QRP. Denmark contributed 20 million DKK in January as the war in Gaza was still raging.
The QRP was launched to deal with “day-after” responses to the acute humanitarian and early recovery needs of refugees in the Gaza strip. The US$ 345 million appeal aims to provide funds for UNRWA’s regular activities in Gaza as well as expanded emergency programmes and other projects related to the recovery and rehabilitation of homes and lives in Gaza.
The other 10 million DKK of this latest contribution will go to UNRWA’s General Fund (GF) for 2009.
These latest Danish funds follow a contribution of 70 million DKK (US$ 12.3 million) received in February 2009 from the Danish government for the GF. Under this grant, a limited part of the funds will be used to support “UNRWA@60 activities”, a series of events aimed at strengthening and extending the Agency’s donor base and public information and advocacy capacity.
Ends
For more information please contact:
Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Orange: +972-(0)54-240-2659
Jawwal:+972(0)588-942-8034
Office: +972(0)2-589-0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
www.unrwa.org
www.UNRWAat60.org
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