Hommam Al Nassim 
Australia has announced it will resume funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), nearly two months after funding was suspended over Israeli allegations.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told a news conference on Friday: “The best advice we have received from Australian government organizations and lawyers is that UNRWA is not a terrorist organisation and therefore decided at this week’s national security meeting to resume financial support to the agency.”
The United States and several countries, including Australia, suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees after Israeli allegations that some of the agency’s employees participated in the Hamas attack on October 7.
Wong said Australia would provide A$6 million (US$3.9 million) that had been suspended, after consulting with UNRWA and other donor countries, and obtaining additional guarantees from the UN agency.
“There are children and families who are starving, and we have the capacity with the international community to help them.
The Australian announcement was welcomed by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, who wrote on Platform X: “I thank Australia for joining donor countries that have maintained or increased their funding, and those who have announced their contribution to UNRWA at this critical time in Gaza and the region.”
“Your support is proof of your commitment to humanitarian principles and the plight of Palestine refugees during an unprecedented crisis,” Lazzarini said.
Thank you #Australia for joining donor countries who have maintained/increased their funding and those who have recently announced their contribution to @UNRWA at this critical time in #Gaza and the region.
Your support is testament to your commitment to humanitarian principles…
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) March 15, 2024
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