Italy awards €4m to UNRWA

The Government of Italy has announced theapproval of a four Million Euro contribution to the United Nations Relief and WorksAgency (UNRWA),In a statement issued Wednesday, the Italian consulate general in Jerusalem said thedonation “reaffirms the same commitment and pledges Italy’s support in continuitywith the past few years.”The contribution will support UNRWA’s General Fund.“Italy works closely with the Agency to strengthen the quality of services UNRWAprovides to Palestinian refugees in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, financing core services such as schools, health care facilities, and social safety net assistance fornearly 5 million Palestinian Refugees,” the statement said.To be noted, Italy has recently donated 1 Million Euros to Al Shouka school in Gaza Strip, for the improvement of structures, acquisition of new learning materials anddevelopment of new study curricula adjusted to the needs of disabled children. 2.5 Million Euros was further allocated in support of the healthcare system reformin Lebanon, and half a Million Euro for food support in Syria.“The financial support to the Agency's General Fund has consistently grown overrecent years: since 2000 Italy has contributed over US$ 105 million to the UNRWAbudget.