Italy allocates 1.5 million euros to UNRWA

BEIRUT: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was allocated Tuesday 1.5 million euros on behalf of Italy's government to support health care for Palestine Refugees most in need of assistance in Lebanon. 

The Ambassador of Italy in Lebanon, Massimo Marotti, and the Director of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Lebanon, Claudio Cordone attended a ceremony at the Italian Embassy in Beirut before signing the agreement. 

This new critical funding will enable will support hospitalization to nearly 1,500 Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRS) and multipurpose cash assistance to Palestinian refugees from Syria displaced to Lebanon.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Cordone said: “UNRWA would like to thank Italy for its continued support for the Agency’s mandate, specifically the vital health services it provides to the PRS in Lebanon. It is only with support from donor partners like Italy that UNRWA is able to continue to serve the Palestine refugee community". 

Ambassador Marotti highlighted the importance of the UNRWA’s services in Lebanon and said: “Italy recognizes the enormous efforts of the Lebanese Government to host vulnerable refugees, and will continue to support its endeavors. With the agreement we signed today, Italy confirms its commitment to sustain the commendable actions undertaken by UNRWA in the country, promoting a vision that places the vulnerable people at the center of the Italian aid policy”.

The Government of Italy has long been one of the Agency’s most reliable donors. In 2017/2018, UNRWA received 3.75 million euros from the Italian Government in support to assistance activities in Lebanon as well as to the reconstruction of the Nahr el-Bared Camp that is ongoing and requires some 66 million to be completed.