Malaysia pledges $1mln to UNRWA, upping contribution to $5.2mln
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Malaysia is donating an additional million dollars to UNRWA, an organization that was demonized by the Israeli occupation following baseless accusations.
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An UNRWA team providing vital psychosocial & educational activities for children in Gaza amid the Israeli genocide. (UNRWA)
Malaysia has announced an additional contribution of $1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) during the UNRWA Pledging Conference held at the United Nations in New York on July 12.
The Foreign Ministry highlighted that this one-time contribution has raised Malaysia's total contributions to UNRWA to $5.2 million since November 2023. Additionally, Malaysia has committed to providing $200,000 annually to the agency from 2021 to 2025.
"Malaysia is dedicated to supporting UNRWA and collaborating with the United Nations and other stakeholders to ensure the continued delivery of critical humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people," the ministry's statement emphasized.
Malaysia has also made significant contributions through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine (AAKRP). These initiatives include medical aid, food assistance, improved sanitation, water hygiene management, clean water supply, and the upgrading of medical facilities for Palestinians.
The Malaysian Foreign Ministry reiterated the country's steadfast commitment to alleviating the suffering of Palestinian refugees and supporting efforts to enhance their living conditions.
UNRWA was established in the aftermath of the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, and its continuous presence underscores the persistence of the unresolved issues stemming from that struggle.
The Palestinians forcibly displaced in 1948, as well as subsequent Israeli aggressions, remain refugees along with their descendants. This legal designation, upheld by UNRWA's existence and ongoing operations, implies an entitlement to a right of return under international law.
The significance of Malaysia's pledge is that it comes at a time when numerous Western countries vowed that they would stop funding the agency, although many reversed that decision later on. This came after the Israeli occupation made public claims that a dozen UNRWA employees were members of Hamas, without providing any evidence to support the claim.
"Israel's" allegations caused several donors to suspend funding for the agency, widely regarded as an important lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza. While most donors started resuming funding, a few cases remain, including the UK and the US.
