Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in other EU member states on the implications for their own contributions of reports that the US Administration will reduce its contribution to the UN Works and Relief Agency.

My officials are working closely with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other European Union partners on how best to ensure continuity of essential services to Palestinian refugees at this time. We are concerned at the impact on UNRWA’s activities whenever unexpected reductions or delays in predicted donor disbursements occur. The UK remains firmly committed to supporting UNRWA and Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, providing around £50 million in 2017/18.