The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will received an additional $135.8 million after signing an agreement with the United States on Saturday establishing shared goals in support of humanitarian assistance, development, and refugee protection.

“The signing of the US-UNRWA Framework [for Cooperation] and additional support demonstrates we once again have an ongoing partner in the United States that understands the need to provide critical assistance to some of the region’s most vulnerable refugees,” stated the UN agency’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini.

Due to a larger number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty, UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services. The agency is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs.

This latest agreement reaffirms both UNRWA and the US’s commitment to the UN’s humanitarian principles, including the principle of neutrality. More