India provides 2 million USD aid to United Nations Relief and Works Agency

On May 19, 2020, India provided 2 million USD relief aid to the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) to help in welfare of Palestine refugees. The aid is to be used in core programmes including education and health for the refugees.

Highlights

In 2019, India increased its annual contribution to UNRWA from 1.25 million USD in 2016 to 5 million USD in 2019. In 2020, India made an additional contribution of 5 million USD. This made Indian becoming a member in the UNRWA’s advisory commission.

Significance

There are more than 3.1 million Palestine refugees. They completely depend in the health services provided by UNRWA. UNRWA also educated 526,000 students every year. These refugees are Palestinians that fled their homes during 1948 war.

India-Palestine

India is also preparing medical supplies for the Palestinians in order to help them fight against COVID-19. India has also signed 17 agreements separately with Palestine. Under these agreements, India is to help Palestine in the fields of health, agriculture, youth affairs, Information Technology, consular affairs, media and women empowerment.

India is to provide 72 million USD through these projects. This will help in reconstruction efforts in Gaza to set up schools and centre of excellence for Information and Communication Technologies.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020