Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees cannot afford to pay the salaries of its staff,  what steps they are taking to support that agency.

The UK is a long-term supporter of UNRWA, and we recognise UNRWA's unique mandate from the UN General Assembly to protect and provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. We are providing £51m to UNRWA in 2020/2021. Reports that UNRWA may not be able to pay the salaries of its staff in full are very worrying. To that end, the UK is working with UNRWA and other donors to improve UNRWA's financial viability. This includes broadening UNRWA's donor base, and encouraging multi-year funding.