The Liberal government will restore funding to a UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees that was cut off by the previous Conservative government for alleged ties to Hamas.
International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said Canada is providing $20 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support education, health and social services for millions of vulnerable Palestinian refugees, as well as for urgent humanitarian assistance.
Ottawa is also committing $5 million to UNRWA’s emergency appeal for Palestinian refugees affected by the crisis in Syria and surrounding areas, she said.
“These contributions will help approximately 5.5 million Palestinian refugees—particularly women and children—receive the assistance they need, including access to health care and the opportunity to go to school,” Bibeau said in a statement.
UNRWA, which was created in 1949 with the initial mandate to provide “direct relief and works programmes” to more than 600,000 Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, lost federal funding in 2010 amid allegations it was tied too closely to Hamas, which Canada considers a terrorist group.
Hamas connection?
Bibeau’s announcement in the House of Commons was greeted by cries of “shame” from the opposition benches.
“I’m horrified,” said Conservative foreign affairs critic Peter Kent, who said there is ample proof that “massive amounts” of UN aid have been redirected to support Palistinian military efforts against Israel.
“We have abundant evidence that UNRWA is part of the problem.”
The U.S. Department of State, on the other hand, welcomed Canada’s decision to resume funding the UN agency.
“UNWRA plays an essential role in the Middle East and it’s an indispensible humanitarian partner in time of conflict, saving the lives of refugees who have nowhere else to turn,” said a statement by State Secretary John Kerry.
.@statedeptspox: Secretary @JohnKerry welcomes #Canada‘s decision to resume @UNRWA contributions https://t.co/EtunbVdp7y
— Department of State (@StateDept) November 16, 2016
‘Robust oversight’
The funding is accompanied by a “very robust oversight and reporting framework,” which includes regular site visits and “strong anti-terrorism provisions,” Bibeau’s statement said.
“Millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East have the right to receive basic services such as health care and to send their children to school,” Bibeau said in a statement.
“We want to see Palestinian refugee children in classrooms where they can learn universal values of tolerance and respect. Vulnerable Palestinians deserve all the opportunities they can to contribute positively to their communities and Canada’s funding will help to better the lives of millions of refugees.”
The Conservatives continued funding emergency programs after cutting off UNRWA, but that money later dried up as well. Some of the aid was redirected to the Palestinian Authority and the Conservatives did continue with other direct funding pledges to the authority.
With files from The Canadian Press
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