• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Iceland to provide third emergency contribution to UNRWA since 7 October

UNRWA

22 Nov 2023

22 November 2023

EAST JERUSALEM,

In response to for funding resulting from the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in the Gaza Strip, Iceland has again stepped forward and announced a new contribution in the amount of ISK 85 million (c. US$ 0.6 million). This is Iceland's third round of support to the Agency since 7 October 2023 and comes on top of two previous contributions of ISK 70 million (c. US$ 0.5 million) received by UNRWA on 24 October and 9 November, amounting to a total of ISK 140 million (c. US$ 1 million).

It is also worth highlighting that on 21 September 2023 Iceland and UNRWA signed a new framework agreement which covers the years 2024-2028 and significantly increases Iceland's annual contribution to the Agency from ISK 25 million (c. US$ 178,000) to ISK 110 million (c. US$ 782,000).
"With this third emergency contribution to UNRWA, Iceland is demonstrating its firm commitment to alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza. Iceland's contribution will help to provide lifesaving assistance for the 945,000 IDPs sheltering in UNRWA's premises," said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

"Iceland is committed to playing its part in providing urgent life-saving assistance to civilians suffering in Gaza. Our partnership with UNRWA is longstanding and we appreciate the critical role that the Agency plays in responding to this crisis," stated Iceland's Foreign Minister Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson.

ENDs-

Notes to Editors

• Iceland is a strong supporter of UNRWA development assistance, while also contributing to emergency appeals in support of the Agency's humanitarian work. Its first contribution to the Agency took place in 1967. In 2023, Iceland contributed US$1.6 million for human development aid and various projects.
• UNRWA issued an initial US$ 104 million Gaza Flash Appeal in response to the escalation in the Gaza Strip on 11 October 2023. It was subsequently revised to US$ 481 million on 9 November 2023.

Background Information:

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.