Norway Expects Resumption of Funding from Donors to UNRWA Soon

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated today, Wednesday, that "many countries that halted their funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) are likely to reconsider and may soon resume payments." In an interview with Reuters, he said, "I believe that a significant number of countries that imposed the suspension (are rethinking) again," noting that these countries acknowledge that "they cannot punish the entire Palestinian community." After meeting with Norwegian aid organizations to assess the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he added, "This issue is increasingly recognized and agreed upon by many." He continued, "But they of course need a dignified exit, which means they hope, I believe, without speaking on behalf of each country, to have something from these investigations so they can say 'Well, we needed to suspend, but we are back now.'" Norway, one of the major donors to UNRWA, has continued its funding and transferred 275 million kroner (26 million dollars) in February, which represents the size of its usual annual contribution, and indicated that more funds may be sent. Oslo is also pressuring the countries that temporarily halted funding to resume it.