The EU will release 50 million euros in aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) "at the beginning of next week", the European Commission announced on Friday, before the subsequent release of 32 million additional.
At the end of January, the European Union called for an audit of the functioning of UNRWA, after accusations of the possible involvement of some of its employees in the October 7 attack in Israel.
We stand by the Palestinian people in Gaza and elsewhere in the region.
Today, and taking into account the action taken by the @UN and the commitments required, we've decided to proceed with paying €50 million to @UNRWA and increase emergency support to Palestinians by €68… pic.twitter.com/7gG0HW4xhp
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 1, 2024
The Commission then clarified that it would decide whether or not to suspend its funding, depending on the results of the UN investigation.
Brussels “welcomed” on Friday this UN investigation and the creation of an “independent group” intended to evaluate UNRWA and its “neutrality”, according to a press release.
“This decision comes at a critical time”
The Commission also indicated that it had “reached an agreement with UNRWA”.
The agency said it was "prepared for a review of its employees to be conducted to confirm that none participated in the attacks" and "for additional controls to be established to limit this risk to the future ".
According to a Commission spokesperson, this review will cover UNRWA employees in both Gaza and the West Bank.
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UNRWA also "agreed to the launch of an audit by external experts appointed by the EU" to examine "control systems to prevent the possible involvement of its staff and funds in activities terrorists”.
Finally, the agency “agrees to strengthen its internal investigations department”.
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These points of understanding allow the release of 50 million euros, while two additional tranches of 16 million euros each will be released later “depending on the application of the agreement”.
“This decision comes at a critical moment,” comments Philippe Lazzarini, general commissioner of the NGO, on X (ex-Twitter).
This aid should help “continue to save lives and maintain essential services for Palestinian refugees”.
The decision of the @EU_Commission to imminently release a EUR 50 million comes at a critical time.
This is from a total EUR 82 million of aid to be implemented through @UNRWA in 2024. It will support the Agency's efforts to maintain lifesaving and essential services for…
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) March 1, 2024
Beyond its support for UNRWA, the European Commission also announced on Friday that it would allocate an additional 68 million euros in emergency aid to the Palestinians in 2024. The Gaza Strip, under fire from Israeli fire and subjected under blockade, is on the verge of famine while Hamas has announced the death of more than 30,000 people since the start of the war.
“Circumstances will determine which organizations are best to benefit from this support.
None are excluded, including UNRWA,” underlined the spokesperson for the European executive.
Aid from several countries suspended
UNRWA employs some 30,000 people in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, where it notably operates schools and hospitals.
The agency has been at the center of controversy since Israel accused 12 of its employees of involvement in the October 7 attack carried out by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
The UN immediately separated itself from those accused and an internal investigation was launched.
Around fifteen countries have since suspended their funding, leading UNRWA to “a breaking point”, according to Philippe Lazzarini.
Eliminating funding for the UN agency would be “disproportionate and dangerous” and “would endanger hundreds of thousands of lives”, estimated the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in early February.