Assistance in Dire Need: European Union Increases Support for Palestinians with an Additional 68 Million Euros

In a remarkable humanitarian commitment, the European Commission has announced the provision of additional financial aid for Palestinian populations living under extreme conditions. The new aid pledge of 68 million euros is intended to flow directly through international organizations such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, to assist those most urgently in need of support. The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her deep sympathy in a statement and emphasized that innocent Palestinians should not suffer for the actions of individual groups. The EU's clear commitment to the welfare of those affected is also demonstrated in the decision to direct a planned payment of 50 million euros to UNRWA next week, even though the UN agency for Palestinian relief has recently been subjected to severe criticism. The financial suspension by 16 countries followed Israeli allegations against UNRWA staff members of involvement in atrocities. In this context, the European Union emphasizes the need to strengthen the internal processes of the organization to prevent such allegations in the future. Janez Lenarcic, the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, reaffirmed the constructive effort for efficient internal control and careful staff vetting within UNRWA. The UNRWA, established by the UN General Assembly in 1949, provides aid to Palestinian refugees and is primarily active in education and health projects, supported by a network of over 30,000 employees. With the additional aid amount of 68 million euros, the humanitarian aid planned by the EU Commission for the current year increases to a total of 82 million euros, intended to benefit the Palestinians, a clear signal of solidarity amidst a tense global situation.