Foreign secretary confirms lifting of UNRWA suspension
Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirms that the government will overturn the suspension of UK funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA). Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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00:00Mr. Speaker, humanitarian aid is a moral necessity in the face of such a catastrophe and it is
00:07aid agencies who ensure UK support reaches civilians on the ground. UNRWA is absolutely
00:14central to these efforts. No other agency can deliver aid at the scale needed. It's
00:20already feeding over half of Gaza's population. It will be vital for future reconstruction
00:26and it provides critical services to Palestinian refugees in the region. I was appalled by
00:32the allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attacks, but the UN took
00:38these allegations seriously. I've spoken to UN Secretary General Gutierrez and Commissioner
00:44Lazzarini. We are reassured that after Catherine Colonna's independent review, UNRWA is ensuring
00:52they meet the highest standards of neutrality and strengthening its procedures, including
00:56on vetting. UNRWA has acted. Partners like Japan, the European Union and Norway have
01:03also now acted. This government will act too. I can confirm to the House that we are overturning
01:10the suspension of UNRWA funding. Britain will provide £21 million in new funds, some directed
01:18at supporting the management reforms recommended by the Colonna review. UNRWA supports more
01:24than 5.5 million Palestinians. Almost 200 of their staff have died through this conflict.
01:32I thank them for this life-saving work.