Jerusalem, November 20: India has contributed USD one million to an UN agency here providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian refugees, fifty times more than what it contributed last time.
Representative of India to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Bishwadip Dey, handed over the cheque to the commissioner General of UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Karen AbuZayd.
“This contribution ensures that the agency is able to continue its crucial work supporting the human development of Palestine refugees in a challenging financial climate,” AbuZayd told thanking the Indian government for one of the poorest populations in the world.
New Delhi had earlier also provided assistance of USD 1 million for relief work in Gaza earlier this year following Israel’s three week offensive in December-January, the UN agency’s spokesman, Christopher Gunnes told agency.
Appreciating UNRWA’s work for Palestinian refugees, especially in the field of education and health care, Dey felicitated the agency on its 60th year of establishment.
The contribution comes in addition to India’s financial assistance package to of USD 10 million to the PNA in March as budgetary support for everyday running the administration.
India is also assisting in construction of the Palestinian embassy in New Delhi as “a gift to the Palestinian people”, the foundation stone of which was jointly laid by PNA President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in October 2008 during the former’s state visit.
Besides, India has also contributed for construction of a sports complex in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Expressing unwavering support towards Palestinian masses, New Delhi has also increased annual training slots from 40 to 100 under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.
Dey re-iterated that the solution to the Palestinian issue should be based on the relevant UN resolutions, the Arab peace plan and the Quartet Road map resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine living with secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel.
–PTI