This afternoon, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announced that the Canadian government will restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA provides basic services to millions of Palestinian refugees, and receives donations from many of Canada’s allies, including the United States and Britain.

This funding includes $20 million to UNRWA to increase access to essential services, such as education, health and social services for millions of vulnerable Palestinian refugees. An additional $5 million will fund UNRWA’s emergency appeal for Palestinian refugees affected by the crisis in Syria and surrounding areas.

In a letter that I wrote to Minister Bibeau in May 2016, I expressed my support for the restoration of UNRWA funding. “Since the election, I have met with many constituents who are asking the government to renew the funding. I strongly support them in this goal.” I also stated that, “I hope that along with our renewed contributions to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Canada will include funding for this valuable agency that provides services to some of the Middle East’s most vulnerable peoples, namely the Palestinians particularly living in Gaza.” I commend Minister Bibeau for her thorough study of the issues involved in this humanitarian crisis and for her careful and swift response to his request.

The proposed funding will support approximately 5.5 million Palestinian refugees, especially women and children. With this announcement, Canada joins all other G7 countries in supporting UNRWA’s efforts to meet the ever increasing needs of Palestinian refugees, assists in providing basic services for vulnerable people, and contributes to stability in the region.

You can read more here.

Yours truly,

Rob Oliphant M.P.

Don Valley West