Tánaiste Simon Harris has announced Ireland will send €20 million in support to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The Tánaiste aims to assist in UNRWA’s work aiding people in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestine refugees across the Middle East.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has seen at least 47,540 people killed and more than 111,000 injured - the majority of whom were women and children.

The Israeli Government ordered UNRWA to vacate all premises in East Jerusalem and cease its operations in them by 30 January 2025.

A demonstration for Palestine at St Stephen's Green in Dublin, 13-1-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said: “The ceasefire and hostage release deal offers a moment of hope for Palestinians and Israelis.

“Today’s announcement underscores Ireland’s commitment to ensuring that there is a significant and meaningful surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza at this critical time.

“There is no replacement for the work of UNRWA and it is vital that it is supported.

“UNRWA delivered more than 60% of the supplies that entered Gaza in the first days of the ceasefire.”

A Palestinian man walks past the building of the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City on January 8, 2018. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

The Tánaiste said UNRWA is the only organisation with “the scale to deliver and support the restoration” of health, social services, and education for “more than 300,000 children in Gaza”.

“I am gravely concerned about Israeli legislation on UNRWA which entered into force on January 30,” he said.

“I urge Israel to reconsider these measures and encourage other Governments to support UNRWA with funding at this most critical time so that it can deliver for the millions of Palestinian refugees in need.”

A UNRWA member inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Nuseirat refugee camp, 14/05/2024. Image: Imago / Alamy Stock Photo

Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora Neale Richmond added that this €20 million in funding for UNWRA will “provide vital humanitarian relief to Gaza at this critical time”.

“UNRWA has a hugely important role across the Middle East, providing support for 5.9 million Palestine refugees, acting as a force for stability in the region,” he said.

“Ireland welcomes the long-awaited humanitarian surge in Gaza and recognises the central role UNRWA plays in the relief operation.

“UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, providing food and lifesaving services to one million people since the ceasefire.”

People protest against aid agency known as UNRWA in Jerusalem, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean, File)

UNRWA was established by the General Assembly in 1949 to provide humanitarian assistance to 750,000 Palestinian refugees.

The organisation employs 30,000 staff and delivers emergency relief, education, healthcare and social services to at least 5.9 million Palestinians within Palestine and neighbouring countries.

Ireland is a committed supporter of UNRWA’s mandate, providing €38 million to UNRWA’s efforts over 2023 and 2024.

Main image: The flag of Palestine (left) flying outside Leinster House where the Dáil is, Dublin. Image: PA Images/Alamy