Finland grants €500,000 to UNRWA for relief work in Gaza

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland granted 500,000 Euros to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for relief work in Gaza and 350,000 Euros to Finn Church Aid for relief work, Monday said a press release by the Representative Office of Finland in Palestine.
It said the grant was a decision of Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto.
“Humanitarian aid helps Palestinians who have lost their homes or fled their homes in fear of air strikes; they live in extremely difficult conditions and need urgent emergency relief. As the conflict is escalating, the need for aid is critical and its delivery must be ensured,” Minister Haavisto stated.
“Almost 1,800 homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged in air strikes. Tens of thousands of people have fled and 900,000 people are without water owing to damaged water systems.”
“UNRWA is already seriously underfunded,” said the release.  “The support now granted will help the organization to increase its urgent emergency relief in Gaza. Nearly 23,000 people have already sought protection from the organization's emergency shelters in the northern parts of Gaza.”
“Together with its local partners, Finn Church Aid in turn helps families in an extremely difficult situation who are accommodated with relatives or friends.”
“The support is paid out of the appropriations for humanitarian aid included in Finland's development cooperation,” concluded the release.