Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:122. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland's contributions to UNWRA have been found to have funded anti-Semitic, anti-Christian and or fundamentalist content. [29894/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 2 June 2021
Ceisteanna (122)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland is a longstanding supporter of the vital work undertaken by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA provides essential services, including healthcare, education and humanitarian relief, to 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees, 1.4 million of whom are in Gaza.
So far this year, Ireland has disbursed a total of €7 million in funding to UNRWA. This includes an initial disbursement of €5 million to support UNRWA’s 2021 Programme Budget, of which €1,000,000 was allocated to support refugees in Lebanon; and €1,000,000 in support of UNRWA’s Syria Regional Crisis Emergency Appeal. On 19 May, an additional contribution of €1 million was allocated to assist the Agency in providing emergency food, water and sanitation supplies, as well as health and psychosocial services to the people of Gaza following the recent hostilities.
Ireland engages with the agency on an ongoing basis, including as an active member of its Advisory Commission. Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah liaises with other international donors in respect of the agency and its operations. UNRWA has a zero tolerance policy with regard to all forms of racism, anti-Semitism, or incitement to hatred or violence. Continued Irish policy engagement and funding to UNRWA will continue to be an important element of our overall support to the Palestinian people.