1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Politics

Germany to up funds for UN Palestinian agency

August 31, 2018

Germany will step up its contributions to the UN Palestinian agency following US cuts earlier this year. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the loss of the UN agency "could unleash an uncontrollable chain reaction."

A Palestinian refugee sits outside a UNRWA building in Bethlehem, West Bank.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/D. Hill

The German government on Friday said it will significantly increase its funding for the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees after the United States cut its contributions, according to letters seen by news agencies.

"We are currently preparing to provide an additional amount of significant funds," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a letter to European Union foreign ministers.

So far this year, Germany has provided the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) with €81 million ($94.5 million).

Maas did not reveal how much more Germany would give, but did say it would not be enough to make up the agency's current shortfall of $217 million. 

US cuts hurt UNWRA

Under President Donald Trump, the US has provided the agency with $60 million (€51.5 million) this year, compared to $365 million for humanitarian aid and projects in 2017.

"It is therefore all the more important that we, as the European Union, jointly undertake further efforts," Maas said, adding that UNRWA plays an important role in the stability of the region.

"The loss of this organisation could unleash an uncontrollable chain reaction," he said.

Read more: Gaza feels bite of US cuts to Palestinian aid

The US was the UNRWA's biggest donor and the agency has struggled with the lack of funds. The US said it slashed the funding because the agency needed to make unspecified reforms, and called on the Palestinians to renew peace talks with Israel.

Jordan said on Thursday it would lead a campaign to raise funds to help the UN agency survive, including an appeal to the Arab League.

law/rt (dpa, Reuters)

Every evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.

Skip next section Explore more
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW