Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris announced today that Ireland will contribute an additional €20 million in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to assist people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Palestinian refugees throughout the Middle East.

In a statement released during a press briefing, Harris highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where at least 47,540 people have been killed and more than 111,000 injured—figures that underscore the urgent need for international aid. "The ceasefire and hostage release deal offers a moment of hope for both Palestinians and Israelis," Harris said, stressing that the newly announced funding represents Ireland’s commitment to significantly increasing humanitarian assistance at this critical time.

Harris noted that UNRWA played a crucial role in the immediate aftermath of the ceasefire, delivering more than 60 percent of the supplies that reached Gaza in its early days. "There is no replacement for the work of UNRWA, and it is vital that it is supported," he stated, emphasizing the agency's unique capacity to provide comprehensive support—including health, social services, and education for over 300,000 children in Gaza.

Expressing concern over recent developments, Harris also called attention to Israeli legislation affecting UNRWA that came into effect on January 30. "I am gravely concerned about the measures imposed on UNRWA. I urge Israel to reconsider these actions and call on other governments to bolster UNRWA with the necessary funding to continue its life-saving work," he added.

Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, reiterated the importance of the additional funding, noting that it supplements €38 million already provided by Ireland in 2023. "This €20 million, combined with previous contributions, will deliver vital humanitarian relief to Gaza at a time when the need is greatest," Richmond said. He further emphasized UNRWA’s central role in supporting 5.9 million Palestinian refugees and maintaining stability across the region.

The Irish government’s announcement comes amid widespread international concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and follows the recent enactment of new Knesset legislation with potentially far-reaching consequences for UNRWA’s operations. Ireland remains a committed supporter of UNRWA’s mandate and continues to advocate for robust international efforts to provide relief and restore hope to millions of Palestinians in need. (ILKHA)