“ Hamas. Funded by Putin.”
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Hardly Putin:
U.S. Support for the Palestinian People
FACT SHEET
OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON
MARCH 26, 2022
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah and representatives of Palestinian civil society in Jerusalem on March 27. The Secretary will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the Palestinian people and the Administration’s support for a lasting, negotiated two-state solution.
U.S. Assistance to the Palestinian People
As we work toward a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we are also increasing our assistance to the Palestinian people. Since April 2021, the United States has provided over half a billion dollars in assistance for the Palestinians, including more than $417 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinian refugees through UNRWA, $75 million in support through USAID, and $20.5 million in COVID and Gaza recovery assistance.
The U.S. government plans to provide an additional $75 million in economic assistance to the Palestinian people this year. Additionally, the United States is also providing $45 million for programs to support the security sector including important improvements to the rule of law.
U.S. assistance for the Palestinian people supports the Palestinian private sector, rapid relief to the neediest households, strengthening Palestinian civil society, and providing access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and hygiene. It also advances the rule of law, particularly in the security sector.
UNRWA’s mandate and work is important, especially in Gaza. UNRWA’s services include education, health care, emergency relief, social services, mental health and psychosocial support, and livelihoods assistance, among other activities in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank and Gaza. The United States remains committed to strengthening UNRWA’s management, oversight, and accountability, as well as putting UNRWA on a sustainable financial path.
In addition, $100 million directed to the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) for the first two years of a 5-year commitment will strengthen people-to-people engagement between Palestinians and Israelis to create the conditions for lasting peace.
MEPPA’s first two awards announced by USAID on March 8 support the Palestinian and Israeli private sectors to build partnerships, increase economic growth, and lay the foundation for peace through people-to-people programs.
https://www.state.gov/u-s-support-for-the-palestinian-people/
THE UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTES US$ 153.7 MILLION TO UNRWA IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINE REFUGEES
01 June 2023
UNRWA and the US Government Renew Framework Agreement for 2023-2024
NEW YORK,
The United States announced today a contribution of US$ 153.7 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of humanitarian assistance, human development and protection of Palestine Refugees.
“We are very grateful for the United States’ long-standing financial and political support and partnership,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. “This contribution will help us keep over 700 schools and 140 health centres open over the next months. By providing UNRWA flexibility in how it utilizes U.S. funding, the U.S. also gives the Agency the means to prioritize spending where it is most needed, helping us address the Agency’s ongoing financial challenges. To us, this is a sign of trust and a trait of good donorship that we encourage other partners to follow.”
Because of this contribution, millions of Palestine Refugees in the Middle East will continue to have access to critical services including education, health, relief and social services. The funding will also help the Agency respond to the humanitarian needs of Palestine Refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Syria (including in response to the devastating earthquake). This contribution raises U.S. funding to the Agency this year to US$ 206.8 million, reaffirming the United States’ position as UNRWA’s largest donor.
UNRWA and the United States also renewed their Framework for Cooperation (Framework Agreement) for 2023-2024, during a virtual signing ceremony this week. The Framework Agreement reaffirms the United States commitment to support the Agency, its mandate, and the rights of Palestine refugees and establishes shared goals and priorities.
USAID
Our Work
West Bank and Gaza
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) improves the lives of the Palestinian people to set conditions for a viable two-state solution. Between September 2021-2024, USAID will provide over $500 million in programming to support the Palestinian people.
https://www.usaid.gov/west-bank-and-gaza/our-work
