Palestine, Emergency & Recovery
Tom Kitt TD, Minister of State for Development
Cooperation and Human Rights, today reiterated that he remains committed
to relieving the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, when he met
with Mr. Peter Hansen, the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief
and Works Agency - UNRWA. Minister of State Kitt announced new funding
of €1 million for the relief organisation.
Minister Kitt and Commissioner Hansen met today to discuss joint efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
After the meeting, Minister Kitt said;
"I recognise the United Nations Relief Works Agency as a key stabilising influence in Palestine, as an organisation which offers hope to many, in a region blighted by conflict and suffering. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Hansen and happy to announce that I have approved new funding of one million Euro (€1 million) for UNRWA relief operations in 2004. UNWRA is a key humanitarian partner of Ireland and we will continue to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people through our partnership."
Minister of State Kitt reaffirmed that Ireland will be represented at the UNWRA Conference, which is to be held in Geneva in early June. The Conference will aim to further raise awareness of the needs of Palestinian refugees and will examine initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of UNWRA.
Ireland is assisting Palestinians in the sectors of education, health, human rights and rural development. In 2000 the Government deepened its commitment to Palestine by opening a Representative Office in Ramallah. A new Palestine Country Strategy for development is currently formulated for implementation over the next 3 years.
Note for editors:
Development Cooperation Ireland has disbursed funding of over €10 million to UNRWA since 2000. Total DCI funding to Palestine in the last four years amounts to over €17 million.