UNRWA (Hansard, 6 November 2002)

§ Dr. Starkey
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on Britain's contribution to UNRWA. [77704]

§ Clare Short
The UK is UNRWA's second largest bilateral donor. Our contributions to UNRWA's General Fund, emergency appeals, and technical cooperation, have risen from £8.5 million in 1999 to planned expenditure in 2002 of about £22 million. This reflects the rising numbers of refugees, our increased confidence in UNRWA's operations, and the emergency situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

§ Mr. Gerrard
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional support she will make available to UNWRA to deal with the humanitarian situation in the West Bank and Gaza. [77706]

§ Clare Short
Over the last two years, in response to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, we have contributed a total of £20 million to UNRWA's emergency appeals. This includes an additional contribution of £2 million this year which I confirmed to Commissioner-General Hansen in October. Emergency funding is in addition to our contributions to UNRWA's regular schooling, healthcare and social services programmes.